January 5th, 2011
First baby of year born to 21-year CTMC employee

Vizente DeAndrez Gonzales, here with mom Stella and dad Andy, is the first baby of the year in San Marcos. CTMC photo.

STAFF REPORT

Andy and Stella Gonzales of Kyle had finished watching the New Year’s fireworks last Friday night and settled in for the evening. But their night was just beginning.

Shortly after midnight, Stella Gonzales, a registrar at Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) for the last 21 years, went into labor. At 7:56 a.m. on Jan. 1, Vizente DeAndrez Gonzales became the first baby of the new year in San Marcos, making his grand entrance at CTMC.

“We were scared and didn’t know what to expect, but every single person here has been terrific,” Stella Gonzales said. “They calmed me and explained everything in detail. We are so blessed to have our baby here safe and sound.”

Andy and Stella Gonzales have two older children, ages 16 and 12.

A gift package with a portable crib and mobile, spa products and gift card were presented to Mom and Vizente as a celebration of the New Year arrival.

Dr. Jenifer Kowalik delivered the first baby of the year.

“She was wonderful and brought a lot of laughter which really helped to relax us all,” Stella Gonzales said.

In 2010, CTMC’s childbirth center delivered more than 1,000 babies.

CTMC’s new state-of-the-art Women’s Center opened its doors on November 30, 2009. The 64,000-square-foot addition includes a new Women’s Center with all private rooms, a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a new cardiac inpatient nursing unit also with all private rooms. It also includes an on-site, high-risk delivery suite and a customized cesarean section suite.