When the Tampa Bay area’s first baby of 2011 made her debut at 12:01 a.m. and 32 seconds Saturday, Jan 1, it was University of South Florida physicians who were front and center for her delivery at Tampa General Hospital. Dr. Susan Smith, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at USF Health, was the attending physician at the birth of the 5 pound, 8-ounce baby girl, Samantha Marilyn Rodriguez. The baby was delivered by Dr. Angela Gonzalez, a USF Ob-Gyn resident.

Melissa Rodriguez of Tampa holds her new daughter  Samantha Marilyn Rodriguez, who was recorded as Hillsborough County’s first baby of 2011. Dr. Susan Smith, USF ob-gyn, was attending physician for the New Year’s Day delivery.

Little Samantha was the third child of mom Melissa Rodriguez of Tampa, who also has a 4-year-old daughter, a 16-year-old-son and a 15-year-old stepdaughter. Samantha arrived a little earlier than expected by Rodriguez and her huband Anthony (the baby’s original due date was Jan. 16). But, Dr. Smith called it a smooth “textbook delivery.”

Dr. Smith delivered the first baby born in the TGH Women’s Center when it opened nearly three years ago.

For more information on the New Year’s Day delivery, click here.