(Salem, Ore. – January 3, 2022) – Nicknamed “Little Bear,” James Wayne Dimick arrived at 12:21 a.m. on January 1, to become Salem Health Family Birth Center’s first baby of 2022. Proud parents Annie and Matt Dimick of Dallas were on their way to a New Year’s Eve party but made a stop by Salem Hospital instead where they would meet their 7 pound, 14 ounce baby boy a few hours later.

“Because of a rare condition I had, we were worried about preeclampsia so we came in before the party at 6:30, just to check things,” Annie said. At the hospital, the baby’s heart rate was fluctuating so a C-section was planned for 10 p.m.  Annie and Matt had kept their baby’s gender a surprise so Matt was the first to exclaim “It’s a boy!” in the delivery room.

Annie will resume her house painting/consulting business in February while Matt, a veteran who serves in the National Guard, works as a forester. James Wayne (a middle name he shares with both Annie’s and Matt’s dads) will soon be tucked into a 100-year-old family bassinet now serving its fourth generation.

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Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.