Cookeville Regional welcomes first baby of 2026

Vanessa Kay-Lee Brannon, daughter of Selina and Patrick Brannon, was born Jan. 1, 2026, at 2:58 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and 20” long.

The care team who helped welcome her: Dr. Curtis Solar, Madelyn Hale, RN, Laurie Joseph, Surgical Technician, Jennifer Stearns, RN, Angela Houston, RN, Emily Dishman, RN and Morgan Bushong, RN.

In 2025, Cookeville Regional’s birthing unit saw 2,049 total deliveries. There were 10 sets of twins born and of the 2,049 deliveries, there were 967 females and 1,082 males. The biggest baby delivered weighed 11 pounds, 13 ounces, and the smallest was 3 pounds, 5 ounces.

The Gift Shop and Cookeville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary donated a New Year’s basket to celebrate the arrival of the first baby of 2026.