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St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Welcomes New Year’s Baby Born Minutes After Midnight on January 1

Joe Caraccia of Jzanus presenting baby monitor
Joe Caraccia of Jzanus presenting baby monitor

New parents and Rockaway residents Molly Casiano and Vincent John welcomed their newborn son, Kenzo Ezekiel John, at 12:14 am on New Year’s Day.

Baby Kenzo entered the world at 4 lbs., 13 ounces, 18 inches long, and is the first baby born at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) this year. Born shy of full-term and jaundice, baby Kenzo is thriving through the use of a Giraffe Incubator Carestation and a GE Healthcare Bilisoft Phototheraphy System that helps alleviate jaundice. Last year, the hospital raised $20,000 to purchase a second Giraffe Incubator, and is currently fundraising to purchase additional Bilisoft Phototheraphy systems.

The hospital showered the family with gifts to celebrate the momentous occasion including a stroller, clothing, a baby care kit, and a baby bouncer. The family also received a baby monitor courtesy of Jzanus–a Long Island-based company who is generously donating baby monitors to each baby born at SJEH in the month of January.

“As a first-time mom I knew nothing about jaundice and was nervous,” Ms. Casiano said. “The fact that he (baby Enzo) is able to be in the incubator, use the Bilisoft, and stay in my room with me at the same time makes me feel comfortable. He’s comfortable, and it’s like he’s lying on a beach.”

“The Bilisoft is what makes his (baby Enzo’s) skin go from yellowish pigment to normal,” Mr. John said. “It’s perfect that the community contributed to fundraising for this equipment just for the little ones because, at the end of the day, babies are our legacy.”

The Rockaways have a higher percentage of preterm births than New York City overall at 11.3% compared to 8.7%, a fact that has driven SJEH’s fundraising efforts for life-saving equipment for babies.

To contribute today and help make a difference in the life of a newborn, visit ehs.org/bilisoft.