Southwest Medical Center Welcomes 2026 New Year’s Baby Jill Duran

Southwest Medical Center marked the start of 2026 by welcoming its New Year’s baby, Jill Hannah Duran, who was born January 2 at 11:47 a.m. to parents Hannah and Roman Duran. Jill weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches long at birth. She was delivered by OB/GYN physician Dr. Dennis Knudsen.

The arrival of the sixth child for the Duran family brought family members together: Jill joins siblings Vincent, Leon, Elias, Ezra, and Claire Duran, and proud grandparents Javier and Maria Moreno. To commemorate the milestone, Southwest Medical Center presented the family with a gift basket honoring Jill as the hospital’s first birth of the year. Jill’s middle name, Hannah, and her given name, which means “youthful,” were chosen by her parents to reflect new beginnings and hope for the future.

The birth arrives against a backdrop of strong maternity activity at the hospital. Southwest Medical Center delivered more than 781 babies in 2025 and recently received the Blue Distinction+ Award from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), a designation that recognizes quality in care and cost efficiency. “We’re thrilled to welcome Jill Hannah Duran as our 2026 New Year’s Baby and to continue our tradition of providing compassionate, high-quality care to growing families,” said Amber Williams, CEO of Southwest Medical Center.

For residents of Texas County, Jill’s birth is a reminder that a regional facility nearby is maintaining a high volume of deliveries while earning external recognition for quality. Southwest Medical Center offers a range of maternity services, including free childbirth classes for expectant parents that cover labor and delivery, relaxation techniques, newborn care, and feeding options such as breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Those seeking more information or wishing to register for the free classes can call the hospital at 620-629-6328.

The Duran family’s growing household and the hospital’s continued emphasis on education and recognized care provide both a personal story of new life and a practical assurance for area families planning for childbirth in the year ahead.