First Baby of the Year Welcomed at UNC Health Nash

Baby Camari Coley with parents Christopher Coley and Rekie Whitehead

The first baby of the year born at UNC Health Nash is always highly anticipated for Nash Women’s Center team members, and this year the anticipation was met with a very swift arrival. At 5:20 AM on New Year’s Day 2025, Camari Deoion Coley was born to Rekie Whitehead and Christopher Coley at the Nash Women’s Center, weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces. According to Nash Women’s Center team members, Camari made an eager entrance into the world, as he was born just 10 minutes after his mother reached Nash.

“I couldn’t believe how fast everything happened. I woke up with contractions and called EMS to get me to the hospital. I didn’t even have time for an epidural,” Whitehead shared. “But Christopher and I are excited to be the parents of the first baby born at Nash.”

Members of baby Camari’s care team shared they were equally astonished by Camari’s hurried arrival, but noted that both mother and baby handled the experience exceptionally well. Both are healthy and looking forward to heading home soon.

Terese Hunt, owner of Decadent Gifts and Designs, partnered with the Nash Women’s Center to make a gift basket loaded with goodies for the family to take home with baby Camari. Similar to a care package, the basket contains various items to help care for the new baby in the first few days. Hunt includes items in the basket purchased from or donated by local businesses, in addition to others goodies for the new baby and his family.