SISTERSVILLE GENERAL’S BUNDLE OF JOY — Sistersville General Hospital’s Chief-of-Staff Dr. Ramon Fagundo was on hand to help deliver the first baby born at the hospital in 19 years.

Sistersville General Hospital helped give birth to a baby girl March 4.

The only odd thing is SGH hasn’t had a maternity ward since 1987.

“Wednesday, March 4, 2009 was a historic day for Sistersville General Hospital,” exclaimed Diana Rice, Director of Outreach at SGH.

At approximately 5 a.m. March 4 Sistersville General dispatched an ambulance to the home of Tabitha Newlen, who was in the process of giving birth. The baby was too far along to take it to Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale or Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg.

With zero options left, paramedics Dave Cutright and Shelly Bieber RN, drove to SGH.

Dr. Ramon Fagundo, Sistersville General Hospital Chief-of-Staff, was the physician on staff in the Emergency Room at the time of the delivery. Tara Phillips, Patient Services Representative; Jessi Snodgrass and Amanda Nichols, MD, were also on hand to help with the birth.

“Everyone did exactly what they should,” remarked Rice. “It was as if it was planned.”

SGH was forced to close the doors of its’ maternity ward in 1987. This is the first emergency birth at SGH in 19 years.

“The last time a baby was delivered in the Emergency Department of SGH was 1990, until Wednesday,” said Rice.

Following the successful delivery, the premature infant was life-flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown and the mother was transported to Reynolds Memorial in Glen Dale.