Wittlich Hospital delivers this year's 600th newborn

Published Dec. 20, 2012
By Aya Callon
Patient Liaison Officer, Wittlich Hospital

WITTLICH, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron and Jessica Lyman welcomed their third child into the world Dec. 10 at 09:50 a.m. at the Verbund-Krankenhaus Bernkastel-Wittlich.

As they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lucy, the hospital also celebrated the 600th newborn delivered this year.

This milestone signifies a slow, yet steady increase in American births at the hospital, said Dr. Peter Georg Locher, the chief of gynecology at the Wittlich hospital.

Over the last five years, Locher has overseen the birth of more than 500 American babies, and this year alone, his department has already delivered 117 American babies.

Lucy, affectionately named after the Beatles 1967 hit "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," was the Lyman family's second child delivered in Germany.

"I love it," said Jessica, who is from Waynesboro, Pa. "The doctors are very thorough, caring, sensitive and help relax you through the process."

Some may have doubts about giving birth in another country where English isn't the main language and procedures are different. However, the 52nd Medical Group offers assistance through the patient liaison officers who are fluent in English and German and assist in easing the communication barriers between the hospital staff and patients.

The base also works with local hospitals in Trier and Bitburg to offer medical support for patients who need care that the clinic cannot provide.

"We have a very good relationship with the 52nd Medical Group, and it gives us joy to be able to deliver the gift of life to both our U.S. and German patients," Locher said.

Wittlich Hospital delivers this year’s 600th newborn