St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Welcomes First Baby of the New Year

Far Rockaway, New York, January 6, 2021 — St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) happily embraced its first delivery of the New Year. Entering the world on January 2 at 6 lbs., 12 oz. and 19.5 inches long, baby girl Treasure Storm Witcher was born healthy and strong to proud parents, and Rockaway residents, Taniqua Dicy Bradley, and fiancée Thomas Franklin Witcher. Moving to the Rockaways seven years ago, the Bradley-Witcher family has witnessed the positive changes happening locally, beginning with SJEH’s updates to the facility and healthcare options- primarily women’s health.

Diagnosed with preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, Ms. Bradley turned to the team at SJEH to provide her with the right prenatal care from the start. “St. John’s provided all the right and necessary tools for a successful pregnancy,” said Ms. Bradley. She went on to state, “For me, it was important to see a hospital like St. John’s offer a Labor and Delivery unit available to the people on the Peninsula. As a patient, you become like family. Otherwise, I would have had to travel far to deliver my baby which would have been very challenging!” Regretfully, Ms. Bradley lost her father to complications of Cancer and COVID-19 in the month of April, during the height of the pandemic, but the surprising news of her pregnancy gave her comfort and joy of life after the loss of her loved one.

SJEH showered baby Treasure Storm with gifts to celebrate the momentous occasion of her arrival. Gifts included diapers, baby care essentials, a diaper bag filled with clothing and other helpful infant goods, along with a baby monitor, courtesy of Jzanus–a Long Island-based company. Ms. Bradley is excited to return home with Baby Treasure Storm to meet her three sisters and happy dog, Lucky.