Juneau’s first baby of 2026 is Bjorn at hospital

Bjorn Schroth welcomed on Jan. 3 with a boat fit for a possible future captain

Annie Ortega and Austin Schroth pose with their newborn son, Bjorn Schroth, with a gifted "baby boat" full of essentials. (Courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)

By Ellie Ruel

Juneau Independent

Juneau’s newest arrival of 2026 made his debut at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Saturday. Bjorn Schroth, born to local parents Annie Ortega and Austin Schroth, weighed seven pounds 15 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. He is the family’s first child.

"The nurses are great and have been super helpful to us as new parents," said the baby's mother in a news release by the hospital. 

Keeping with a years-long hospital tradition, the parents received a handmade wooden rocking boat supplied with newborn essentials like diapers, hats, and toys. Bartlett Emergency Physician Dr. Lindy Jones and his wife Colleen Jones craft the cradles together, and this year’s was made of Sitka spruce donated by Icy Straits lumber.

"Before Bjorn was born, a coworker commented that his name was fitting of a boat captain, so to receive this handmade boat is really special," Austin Schroth said.

According to Bartlett, Bjorn is the first of almost 300 babies born per year at the hospital.

• Contact Ellie Ruel at ellie.ruel@juneauindependent.com.