Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Hospitals Spread Holiday Cheer

January 2026

The holiday spirit came alive across Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) hospitals this season, transforming spaces of healing with cheer, comfort, and unexpected joy. Our dedicated staff went above and beyond, weaving festive magic into the daily routines of patients and colleagues alike.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus Visit Families at St. Francis Hospital

A wave of excitement filled the air at St. Francis Hospital (SFH) in Federal Way as Mr. and Mrs. Claus made their grand entrance.

"I simply love being around children any chance I get," shared Cheri Robinson, a VMFH patient who visits various community locations each December dressed as Mrs. Claus alongside her husband, Mr. Claus. "This visit is incredibly special for them, and honestly, that makes it just as special for us."

Families gathered for photos with the iconic duo, and faces lit up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus attentively listened to Christmas wishes from children and adults alike.

St. Francis Hospital President Joe Brown emphasized the hospital's deep-rooted sense of community. "St. Francis is truly a family," he stated. "This visit gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with everyone in our hospital community."

The couple decided to visit St. Francis Hospital this year following a visit to St. Joseph Medical Center in 2024, where they gave back to the care team who saved Cheri's life.

"Elf On The Shelf" at Virginia Mason Medical Center

Elves at Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) brought mischievous fun to the Oncology Infusion Center. The whimsical holiday icons perched from precarious heights, adorned call monitors with twinkling lights, lounged on miniature beaches, and even took the wheel of a "car" ingeniously crafted from a mask box.

Kristin Barger, a charge nurse at the Oncology Infusion Center, brought the "Elf on the Shelf" tradition to the hospital. Barger dressed them in miniature PPE gowns she created from unused supplies as they stirred up a little mischief throughout the month of December.

Barger wanted to infuse the unit with much-needed lightheartedness for both patients and staff. "Our patients are going through what is quite possibly the most difficult time of their lives," Barger shared. "If there's anything I can do to bring a smile to their face, I will."

Harpist Fills St. Clare Hospital Lobby with Christmas Melodies

Each week during the month of December, harpist Monica Schley filled the lobby of St. Clare Hospital with festive tunes from "Tis the Season" to "Silent Night." As a certified clinical musician, she sees firsthand the power of music. "This is something that touches people, one on one, and I've seen it. It's really meaningful to be able to help people's lives," she shared. Her music brings a peaceful pause for patients, visitors, and team members during this special time of year.

The hospital also continued a decade-long tradition on Christmas Eve. Each year, St. Clare team members, joined by their families, walk the halls to hand out carnations to patients – a small gesture that carries a powerful message of care, compassion and community during the holiday season. They serve as a reminder that they are seen, remembered, and supported during a time of year that can feel especially difficult away from home and loved ones.

Annual Toy Drives Make Wishes Come True 

In late December,  the organization Kidz Helping Kidz delivered toys to St Michael Medical Center and St. Anthony and St. Francis hospitals to fulfill Christmas wishes for young patients spending the holidays at the hospital. Nearly a decade ago, a young patient saw his infant brother in the hospital during holidays. He realized how unsettling an experience it could be for a child to be hospitalized. He started Kidz Helping Kidz that year. Today, it has grown to deliver more than 250 toys to area children during holidays. The ABATE Toy Drive culminated on December 14 as hundreds of local bikers escorted a truckload of children's toys to the doorsteps of St. Michael Medical Center. These generous donations will continue to spread cheer to children visiting the hospital for months to come, offering a comfort during challenging times. Together, both initiatives ensure no child feels forgotten during the holiday season.

Welcoming the First Babies of the New Year

New Year's Day brought extra joy to families welcoming newborns at VMFH Family Birth Centers, including St. Francis Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Anne Hospital, St. Michael Medical Center, and St. Elizabeth.

At St. Francis Hospital, Baby Ailani was born 15 seconds after the clock struck midnight to parents Nancy Cesario Martinez and Rolando Ruano Gonzalez. She is believed to be the first baby born in the Puget Sound region.

The birth center teams at each hospital provided families with thoughtful gift baskets, packed with cherished items like a photo frame, a onesie, a soft blanket, and a book.

Baby Elianna arrived at 12:03 a.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center. Baby Tatum was born at 3:04 a.m. at St. Anne Hospital. St. Michael Medical Center welcomed 10 babies on New Year’s Day, and a St. Elizabeth Hospital nurse gave birth to the hospital’s first baby of 2026.  

"It's one of the more fun shifts to work," remarked St. Anne Hospital Birth Center nurse Nicole Pitts. "We always like to see who the last baby of the year and who the first of the year will be. While all babies deserve to be celebrated, these particular newborns have an extra special reason to mark their arrival."

As 2026 is now in full swing, looking back at these moments reminds care teams across VMFH of the extraordinary dedication and compassionate care delivered each day. Beyond medical expertise, it's the personal touches, the moments of unexpected joy, and the commitment to patients that heal and uplift the communities VMFH serves.