Selkirk Regional Health Centre welcomed its first baby of 2026 with the birth of Arthur Wachal on Saturday, Jan. 3.
From left, Arielle Marshall and Tanner Wachal accept a New Year’s baby gift from Selkirk Hospital Gift Shop volunteers chair Betty Milkowski for their son Arthur, born Jan. 3 at Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Arthur was born at 9:18 a.m. to parents Arielle Marshall and Tanner Wachal at Selkirk Regional Health Centre. He weighed seven pounds and measured 19 inches long. The family is from Winnipeg.
“Selkirk has a great labour and delivery ward, which is why we are grateful to have delivered here,” Wachal said.
Wachal’s mother, Charity, a registered nurse at the health centre, was present for the birth, along with Dr. Bunkowsky, who delivered the baby.
To mark the occasion, Arthur received a New Year’s baby gift from the Selkirk Hospital Gift Shop volunteers. Chair Betty Milkowski presented the family with diapers, a playpen, toys, blankets and clothing, continuing a long-standing local tradition.
“This has been going on since the first hospital was built in Selkirk and the original ladies auxiliary was founded,” Milkowski said, thanking volunteers for making the annual gift possible. “Congratulations to new parents Arielle and Tanner.”
A total of 455 babies were born at Selkirk Regional Health Centre in 2025, compared with 443 in 2024.
Anyone interested in delivering at Selkirk Regional Health Centre can call 1-204-482-2150 or email prenatalintake@ierha.ca to be connected with family medicine obstetrics or midwifery services. Tours of the obstetrics unit can be arranged by calling 1-204-785-7402.
The announcement was released by Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.
