Holy Name Medical Center’s Hispanic Outreach Program celebrated for the third year, the Hispanic tradition of giving away “la canastilla,” a cultural tradition of providing the new mother and family with newborn essentials. This year's baby girl, Natasha Gicel born to Brenda Rodriguez Lopez, was the first baby born through the Hispanic Outreach Program and the first baby born in 2012 at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck. Baby Natasha was born at 3:24 p.m. on January 1, 2012, weighing 9 pounds 7 ounces.

“Thank you to all of our supporters that allow us to keep with the tradition of providing the family and newborn with these essentials,” says Henry Fernandez-Cos, MD, medical director of the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name OB/GYN.

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

The Hispanic Outreach Program at Holy Name Medical Center was developed to create awareness of Holy Name’s commitment to assuring the highest level of healthcare to members of the Hispanic community and, consistent with the medical center’s ministry of healing, to providing services and programs in a culturally sensitive and caring environment.

In collaboration with physicians and allied health professionals, the program offers information and referrals as well as educational programs, seminars, and preventative screenings at the medical center’s campus and at off-campus locations for residents of Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties.

For additional information about the Hispanic Outreach Program or to speak with Dr. Fernandez-Cos, call 1-877-HOLY-NAME.