First and last babies mark historic moments for Lake Forest Hospital

Julizza Ayala of Waukegan knew she was in her final stage of pregnancy, but had no idea that when she delivered at 4:40 a.m. March 3, the birth of her baby Layla would be the last baby to be delivered at the historic former Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, at 660 Westmoreland. With the special care nursery scheduled to move to the new building around 6 a.m., the team knew they would need to adjust.

A few hours later, after both mother and baby were ready to be transported, they were carefully led through the tunnels and entered the new hospital at 1000 Westmoreland, where they were warmly welcomed by numerous staff and comfortably brought to their new rooms by 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, later that afternoon, at about 2:30 p.m., Jessica and Ryne Korbas of Lake Villa quickly entered the new ED and, almost within the hour, delivered the first baby to be born at the new hospital. Brayden James Korbas entered the world at 3:24 p.m. and his quick arrival won him First Baby at the new Lake Forest Hospital.

"When we walked in, we heard the staff say 'OB stat' on their iPhones so we knew this was going to happen quickly," said Ryne Korbas, a police officer. "The staff was great, and we knew we were in good hands."

On March 6, at 12:52 p.m., Kim and Scott Katich of Grayslake became the proud parents of the first twins born at the new hospital. Identical twin girls Addison and Charlie have a special connection to the hospital, as Kim's stepmom is surgical tech Michele Brancato, who works just a few pavilions away in the surgical operating rooms.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html. To learn more about Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, visit nm.org/lfh.

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