New York’s Twin-Cousins! 2 Bronx Sisters Give Birth Hours Apart; Bellevue Hosts Japan Institute For Health Security For Pathogen Preparedness Training: NYC H+H
Editor’s note: In this rare occurrence, two sisters gave birth to two cousins who will now be birthdate twins, with their birthday celebrations happening together every year. Even though they are cousins, they share the same birthdate, just like twins. In this close-knit family, they may become more like siblings than cousins. NYC H+H previously announced the memorandum of understanding with Japan Institute for Health Security in order to assist both countries in becoming as prepared as possible for any pathogen-based outbreak so they don’t become a disaster.
SISTERS WELCOME BABIES HOURS APART AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/NORTH CENTRAL BRONX
The Mexican-American sisters share their extraordinary birth experience
Sisters Jenny and Wendy Aguilar
(Bronx, NY) – In a remarkable coincidence, sisters Jenny Aguilar and Wendy Aguilar gave birth to healthy babies just hours apart at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx.
Wendy Aguilar, a barista, discovered her pregnancy just two days after her sister Jenny shared the news.
“My sister had called me and showed me her test, and it was positive, and two days later, I took the test out of curiosity and for fun, because I wasn’t really having any symptoms, and the test came out positive,” Wendy recalled.
The sisters supported each other throughout their pregnancies, frequently visiting each other’s homes to talk and satisfy cravings together.
“We would always come to each other’s houses. We’ll talk about our symptoms, or we’ll get each other’s cravings,” Wendy said.
Jenny was the first to arrive at the hospital for an induction, delivering her daughter, Leilani Celeste, at 1:41 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 20 inches.
Just hours later, at 8:38 a.m., Wendy welcomed her son Nicholas Valentine, weighing 12 pounds, 13.7 ounces, and measuring 18.5 inches.
“It was a little scary, because since I was the one who gave birth first, you know, I was scared, because she was able to hear me scream,” Jenny said. “But it was also good, you know, so we were able to know that everything is okay between our babies.”
Jenny reflected on the unique timing: “It was pretty funny, because I was there first, because I was getting induced, and then to come and see my sister come in later on having contractions.”
Staff Nurse Latoya Palmer of the postpartum unit noted the rarity of the event. “This does not happen very often, it is a rare occasion,” Palmer said. “It was quite fascinating to be part of this special occasion for this family experience.”
North Central Bronx Hospital accommodated the sisters by placing them in adjacent rooms, making it easier for family members to visit both new mothers.
The Aguilar sisters’ story reflects the hospital’s multigenerational legacy of care. “We are proud to have delivered multigenerational care for over 50 years. Our community is deeply embedded in who we are as a team,” said Dr. Neneh Kamara, Director of Nursing for Maternal Child Health Services. “Caring for our community means caring for family — ensuring every patient receives the highest quality care they deserve.”
The hospital’s Maternal Child Services saw 935 deliveries in 2025. As a Baby-Friendly designated facility, North Central Bronx Hospital is committed to providing the highest standard of care for infant feeding.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of receiving this prestigious designation on April 19, 2016, and the hospital has successfully completed its Baby-Friendly reaccreditation.
Melissa Creighton, Certified Registered Nurse Midwife, emphasized the program’s community impact: “The midwives at North Central Bronx Hospital are integral to the fabric of our community. Their commitment to respectful, culturally sensitive care ensures that every family receives the support they need for a safe and healthy start.”
The sisters’ partners, parents, and extended family members were present to celebrate the joyous occasion. Wendy is already planning future adventures for the cousins, including zoo trips with matching outfits.
Already looking ahead, Jenny shared their plans: “The main thing we talk about is, like the outfits that we get to put on them, the matching outfits they get to wear, and talking about how we’re going to celebrate their birthday, since they’re so close.”
Jenny and Wendy with their babies, partners and mother.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE HOSTS JAPAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH SECURITY FOR GLOBAL SPECIAL PATHOGEN PREPAREDNESS TRAINING EXCHANGE
Visit exemplifies shared commitment to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks through coordinated training and collaboration
Dr. Eric Wei (center, green), Bellevue Hospital CEO, along with the Special Pathogens team, welcomes delegates representing the Japan Institute for Health Security
(New York, NY) — NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue welcomed three delegates from the Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), part of the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) for an immersive special pathogens training exchange. The visit builds on a Memorandum of Understanding and the shared commitment between the institutions to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) outbreaks through coordinated trainings, best practices, and global collaboration.
“We are pleased to welcome colleagues from DCC, NCGM, part of the Japan Institute for Health Security, back to Bellevue as our partnership advances from agreement to action,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This exchange strengthens readiness on both sides and reinforces the importance of global collaboration to protect patients, health care workers, and communities.”
“We are honored to visit Bellevue so soon after the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding,” said Yutaro Akiyama, MD, Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM). “This visit represents an important step in strengthening our clinical workforce through international collaboration. Our team has gained invaluable insights by observing high-level isolation practices, training methods, and special pathogen protocols implemented in the United States. We look forward to deepening this partnership as we continue to enhance our preparedness for infectious disease threats.”
During the visit, the delegation participated in immersive training sessions and discussions with Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program team focused on special pathogen patient care, high-level isolation unit operations, and personal protective equipment protocols. The delegation also visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln to observe a training led by the NYC Health + Hospitals Systemwide Special Pathogen Program.
“Preparing for special pathogen outbreaks demands global partnership,” said Justin Chan, MD, Epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Because infectious diseases do not respect national borders, only shared knowledge, trust, and coordinated action can result in robust preparedness.”
In a reciprocal effort, Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program will send four delegates to Tokyo, Japan, in February 2026 to participate in a special pathogen training program led by the JIHS. The Bellevue team will support advanced sessions and share their experience responding to the 2014 Ebola response in New York City.
“We are honored to exchange knowledge with our colleagues from the Japan Institute for Health Security,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, Chief of Critical Care and Chief of Special Pathogens Program. “This two-way exchange not only broadens our collective understanding but also reinforces the importance of global partnership in preparing for and responding to special pathogen outbreaks.”
The international exchange is part of ongoing efforts by both institutions to build resilient, coordinated systems that can rapidly respond to HCID incidents worldwide.
Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, has a longstanding legacy in infectious disease management and plays a central role within the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) consortium, a leader in national special pathogen preparedness and response. It is a recognized leader within the National Special Pathogen System — a nationwide, tiered network of care ranging from frontline facilities to advanced treatment centers. Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program serves as the designated Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) for HHS Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. RESPTCs act as resource hubs, providing highly specialized care for patients suspected of, or infected by, special pathogens such as Ebola, mpox, or H5N1 bird flu.
About Japan Institute for Health Security
The Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) was established through the merger of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (NIID) and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM). The JIHS will serve as a world-class Integrated Science Center for Infectious Diseases to protect people from various diseases and health emergencies such as infectious diseases. The JIHS will also serve as a scientific advisory body during infectious disease crises, providing scientific knowledge with the Japanese government including the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The mission of the JIHS is to contribute to the creation of a resilient and secure society through the implementation of R&D on infectious diseases and other diseases, as well as the provision of medical care. For more information visit jihs.go.jp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, and more than 520,000 outpatient visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Dr. Yutaro Akiyama (left) with the National Center for Global Health and Medicine observes PPE training led by Trish Tennill, RN, Bellevue Hospital Special Pathogen Program Director of Nursing for Regional Training and Education Outreach. Image Credit – NYC H+H
Banner Image:Jenny and Wendy with their babies, partners and mother. Image Credit – NYC H+H
