
Adams Memorial Hospital is happy to announce the arrival of its New Year’s Baby of 2025: River Rose! River was born at 12:46 a.m. on January 1, 2025, making her the first baby born at the hospital in the new year. Weighing in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and measuring 20.5 inches long.
River’s arrival was assisted by Dr. Jessamine Hippensteel, of the Adams Memorial Hospital obstetrics team. Her parents, Sydney Tharp and Drake Gillespie, from Monroe are pictured above with their new bundle of joy. River’s big brother, Colt, age 5, was happy to meet his new sibling as well. Adams Memorial Hospital gifted the family with a case of diapers and a lovely basket from the AMH gift shop for both mom and baby.
The arrival of River Rose carries extra sentimental meaning for her family. Sydney Tharp, River’s mother, was also born at Adams Memorial Hospital as a New Year’s Baby in 1998. It’s an unexpected tradition for the Tharp-Gillespie family to welcome a baby at the same hospital, 27 years apart.
“We are so excited to welcome River into our family,” said Sydney Tharp. “It’s a great feeling to have our own New Year’s Baby, especially knowing that I was born here as well. It’s such a special connection for us.”
Adams Memorial Hospital is proud to continue its tradition of delivering first babies of the year, helping families to celebrate new beginnings. River’s birth represents hope, joy, and a bright start to 2025.