NORWICH – Delivering what could be the first 2020 leap year baby in the United States is a role that Dr. Ross Baxter and the maternity nursing team at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital played this last Saturday in February.

The 138 bed rural hospital in Central New York and its 24/7 maternity department has not had helped with a leap year baby in over 20 years, so that made this one all the more special.

Seven pound, 20 inch long Josiah came into the world at 12:02 a.m. on February 29, 2020. Parents Joyce and Michael from New Berlin were a little apprehensive about Josiah’s birth on this elusive date, but have since come to embrace it.

Joyce commented about her feelings “At first I really didn’t like the idea but now that I have had some time to think about it and take a deep breath and hold him in my arms I am very excited and have accepted it.” Father Michael was equally as excited and said “I know he is a special boy and having him on the 29th is just more proof of that, everything is just going our way and this is one more reason to celebrate.”