Mount Nittany Health is excited to announce the arrival of its first baby of the New Year. This morning a baby boy was born to proud parents Kristen and Dakoda Smeltz of Lewistown, PA.

The birth of the New Year’s Baby is always a special occasion at Mount Nittany Health, and we are honored to be part of such a joyful moment for this family and our community. Congratulations to the Smeltz family!

The Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Women and Children’s Services Unit at Mount Nittany Medical Center is proud to offer exceptional care to families during one of life’s most precious milestones. The unit provides a warm, family-centered environment, offering private labor and delivery suites equipped with advanced technology to ensure safety and comfort. Experienced physicians, nurses, and support staff are dedicated to providing personalized care for mothers, babies, and families.

Recent recognitions underscore the quality of care provided at Mount Nittany Medical Center. For the third year in a row, the Women and Children’s Services Unit was named one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek for its commitment to high standards in maternity and newborn care.

Mount Nittany Medical Center’s Women and Children’s Services Unit offers a wide range of resources, including lactation support, childbirth education classes, and free access to virtual childbirth education classes, allowing patients to access valuable educational resources in the comfort of their own homes at no additional cost through Birthly. With a focus on compassionate, patient-centered care, we strive to make every birth experience memorable and meaningful.

As we welcome the first baby of 2025, Mount Nittany Health remains committed to providing exceptional care to every patient, every day. For more information about our Women and Children’s Services Unit, please visit mountnittany.org/maternity.