MaineHealth welcomed its first baby of the new year in its Damariscotta birthing center at 1:21 a.m. on Jan.1, 2024, when Leif MacFarlane was born at LincolnHealth. Leif weighed 7 pounds, 9.8 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.

Leif’s parents, Kayleigh MacFarlane and Cameron Miller, of Union, said in a news release from MaineHealth that they were excited for Leif to join his 2-year-old sister, Ember.

“He came precisely when he meant to,” Kayleigh MacFarlane said.

MaineHealth hospitals with birthing centers include Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, LincolnHealth (formerly Miles Memorial Hospital) in Damariscotta, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford, Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast and Memorial Hospital in North Conway, New Hampshire.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” It consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed providers working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.