Celebrating St. John’s New Year baby in Far Rockaway

Posted

Born 14 minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day, Kenzo Ezekiel John, 4 pounds, 13 oz. and 18 inches long was welcomed by his parents, Rockaway residents Molly Casiano and Vincent John, at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway. He was the first baby born in 2020 at the Rockaway Peninsula’s only hospital that also serves the Five Towns.

Shy of full-term and jaundice, Kenzo was helped using a Giraffe Incubator Carestation and a GE Healthcare Bilisoft Phototheraphy System that helps alleviate jaundice. The hospital raised $20,000 to purchase a second Giraffe Incubator, and is currently fundraising to purchase additional Bilisoft Phototheraphy systems.

St. John’s supported the family with gifts such as a stroller, clothing, a baby care kit, and a baby bouncer. They also received a baby monitor from Franklin Square-based Jzanus,  who is donating the monitors this month at St. John’s.

“As a first-time mom I knew nothing about jaundice and was nervous,” Casiano said. “The fact that he [Enzo] is able to be in the incubator, use the Bilisoft, and stay in my room with me at the same time [made] me feel comfortable. To help newborns, go to ehs.org/bilisoft.