Thanks to Community Partnerships, Southcoast Health Wraps Every Newborn in Love with New Southcoast Baby Blankets

Every baby born at Southcoast Health will now be wrapped in more than just warmth – they’ll be wrapped in love. With our new Southcoast Baby Blankets, every newborn will go home with an exceptionally soft, adorable, and high-quality keepsake blanket – made just for them.

Unlike standard hospital blankets, these have been thoughtfully designed to be extra gentle against a newborn’s delicate skin, with a sweet, photo-friendly pattern. Every stitch, color choice, and detail has been carefully considered to ensure the blankets are as cozy as their first snuggles.

“Southcoast Health delivers thousands of babies each year, and we wanted to give families something that reflects just how special those first days are,” said Kim Pina, Executive Director of Family Centered Unit. “These blankets are pure comfort, pure joy, and a small way to show families that our entire community is celebrating with them.”

The program was made possible through the generosity of Robinson+Cole LLP, who contributed a $30,000 donation, and the partnership of GCB Medical Supply, a local woman-owned business with a deeply personal connection to newborn care.

Robinson+Cole’s gift reflects their commitment to supporting programs that have a direct, heartfelt impact on the community. “Collaborating with Southcoast Health on this project is deeply meaningful —not only does it allow us to contribute to the wellbeing of newborns and their families, but it also reflects our commitment to supporting programs that create lasting, heartfelt impact,” said Lisa Boyle, Partner at Robinson+Cole. “These blankets are more than just a gift; they’re a symbol of warmth, care and the cherished memories that begin on day one.”

The blankets carry a particularly meaningful connection for Kate Bowen, CEO and Founder of GCB Medical Supply. In 2018, Kate’s fourth child, Georgia Claire, was born unexpectedly in cardiac arrest, leading to a six-month hospital stay that included life support, a stroke, multiple infections, and a neonatal heart transplant. That journey inspired Kate to design The Georgie, a first-of-its-kind pediatric gown that blends functionality with comfort, and to launch GCB Medical Supply with the mission of creating compassionate, patient-centered products.

Building on that mission, GCB has become a trusted Southcoast Health partner since 2022, supplying critical medical products and strategic solutions designed to ensure reliability, transparency, and affordability. Rooted in the community as a woman-owned business, GCB maintains a robust local inventory and agile operations to prevent back orders and adapt quickly to evolving healthcare needs.

When it came to producing Southcoast Health’s newborn blankets, GCB’s regulatory, quality, and manufacturing teams worked closely with Southcoast’s leadership to test for washability, colorfastness, and durability. The result is a soft, lasting keepsake for families that blends function with heart, reflecting GCB’s commitment to resilience, compassion, and patient experience. “These blankets embody our belief that every detail – no matter how small – can make a meaningful impact on the patient’s journey. We’re proud to be part of welcoming Southcoast’s newest and tiniest community members home,” said Jen Murphy, Director of Sales Operations at GCB.

Families are encouraged to celebrate the milestone of bringing their baby home by taking a photo with the matching blanket and backdrop at the NICU before discharge – a sweet tradition designed to spread joy and mark the start of their new chapter.

Christian Pope, MD, Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology shared: “From the moment a child is born, every detail matters. Providing these beautifully crafted blankets is a small but powerful way to show families that we celebrate their joy and honor the trust they’ve placed in us.”

To learn more about Obstetrics & Gynecology and Maternity services please visit Obstetrics & Gynecology Services | Southcoast Health.