Holy Name Hospital's Hispanic Outreach Program welcomed the first Hispanic baby of the new year, Cynthia Mendoza, born to Cristina and Tobias. Following the Hispanic tradition, staff of the Hispanic Outreach program gave the Mendoza's a "canastilla" – a gift to new parents of newborn essentials.

"Giving the family this gift," explains Henry Fernandez-Cos, M.D., medical director of Hispanic Outreach Program at Holy Name Hospital, "was a great way to keep the tradition of the ‘canastilla’ while illustrating the mission of the Hispanic Outreach Program."

The gifts, which were courtesy of the Hispanic Outreach Program through donations from businesses and members of the community, included clothes, a stroller, car seat, and other newborn necessities. A crib and mattress were donated by Bambi Baby Store of West New York.