Great Bend Regional Hospital and Barton County welcomed the first baby of 2014 on Jan. 3. Raegan Denae Alefs was born at 3:44 p.m. She weighed 5 pounds 1 oz. Her parents, Ashley and Ryan Alefs, were surprised as she was about three weeks early. Ashley is a RN at GBRH and had actually worked the few days before the birth. If she continues in her mothers footsteps, she will be a fourth generation nurse in the family.
GBRH OB staff presented Raegan and her parents with a basket of goodies to help her grow along with a photo shoot courtesy of Cates Studio and a massage for mom donated by Terry Bauer at A Touch of Country Massage. Stephanie Buchholz, GBRH OB/Peds Nurse Supervisor, stated “Its always rewarding to help a couple become a family with a new addition. Its even more fun when its one of our own staff members. Congratulations to the Alefs family.”
Raegans parents are Ashley and Ryan of Great Bend. Grandparents are Stephanie and Gary Oglesbee of Ellinwood, Jackie and Bill Cook and Kenny and Lora Alefs, all of Great Bend. Great-grandparents are  Kay Wilbur and Fredia Dodson of Great Bend, Bill Oglesbee, Jack and Nova Bowman and Lylas Schultz, all of Ellinwood.