Proud Grandpa to Two St. Luke’s Grandkids
It is a great pleasure to introduce my twin grandsons to the St. Luke’s family and to all those who follow my blog.
David on the left, Jax on the right.
Last night, God blessed our family with David Wiley and James Jackson (already nicknamed “Jax”), born to my younger daughter, Laurie, and my wonderful son-in-law, Clif. David weighed 6 lbs. 2 oz. and Jax weighed 5 lbs. 9 oz. Mom is doing well and the babies are healthy.
My first grandchild, a beautiful girl, did not survive to full term due to a devastating birth defect that took her life a year ago, two days before Christmas. It was the first time my family had been confronted with a birth defect of such magnitude, and it forged my commitment to the March of Dimes to help promote research and prevention to minimize the number of families who face the devastating loss or significant hardships associated with raising a severely disabled child.
I was asked to co-chair the March for Babies here in the Treasure Valley to help raise money and awareness to address the high rate of premature births we face in this country and right here in Idaho.
Though David and Jax were born prematurely, we are fortunate and grateful that they made it far enough that we are not dealing with the prolonged NICU stays that so many families face, and the associated costs and challenges that some of these children will subsequently face. Others are born so prematurely that we either cannot save them or they face overwhelming lifetime disabilities.
You can see how appropriate it is that I should help with the March for Babies walk this year. I hope you will help too.
You can sign up for the walk, form your own team and help raise money through your supporters, sign up to
David testing his lungs, at the top of the frame.
walk with the St. Luke’s Maxwell Moose Marchers, the team I am honored to serve as captain of, or simply donate what you can to this important cause.
The walk is April 27 and we will have a fantastic time. Come join me, David, and Jax, and the Maxwell Moose Marchers, with the caveat that my older daughter doesn’t deliver on her
due date which is the same day! 
If you can’t join us, please contribute what you can. Go to our team site to give and get involved.
Thank you!
Tags: Dr. David Pate, Dr. Pate, Idaho, st. luke's, St. Luke's Health System
Congratulations, Dr. Pate! You’ve been talking about them all year. So happy to see you have beautiful, healthy grandbabies!
Congrats to you, Grandpa, and also to your daughter and son-in-law!
Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations, Clif, from your Tele team members!
Thanks, Melissa!
Yes, I have waited a long time for these precious children! They have certainly been worth the wait! Thanks so much!
Thanks, Cindy!
I have now had about 20 hours of getting used to being called Grandpa. I love it!!!
Congratulations Dr. Pate! Babies are such a blessing! Grandchildren, even more so!
It’s heartwarming to read your happy news of having two healthy grandsons and your commitment to the March for Babies.
Hi, Jenny.
Being a grandpa is the best job I have ever had!
Thanks, Roslin! I think the March for Babies will be a wonderful event. I hope you can help me spread the word and ensure that we have hundreds of walkers show up from St. Luke’s!
Thanks for following the blog!
Congratulations to your whole family!! The picture of you and “the boys” is priceless. I anticipate there will be many more.
Health to all!
Hi, Kirstin.
From your keyboard to God’s ears! Thanks so much!
My other daughter is due on April 27 and it’s a girl! How lucky am I? Plus, to have both daughters and wonderful son-in-laws here, all current and future grandchildren here, and the opportunity for the cousins to grow up together is just awesome!
And I have the incredible opportunity to lead this fabulous health system and work with the incredible physicians and employees. I am very blessed.
Thanks so much!
Wow, what a great picture of grandpa and the grandboys!!! Best wishes to you in your new role, and to the entire family on this wonderful blessing, and with more blessings to come.
I will love marching with you at the March of Dimes. Maybe there will be a new baby that day!!!!
Hi, Diana.
Wonderful! Glad to have you join St. Luke’s Maxwell Moose Marchers! We will have a blast.
I hope you can recruit others. We’ll have a link up soon to sign up for our team and to make it easy for people to make donations. Thanks so much!
CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Pate!! Oh my goodness, the boys are precious!! Chris shared with us at our board meeting your family’s great news!! And the smile on your face is absolutely PRICELESS!!
THANK YOU for your amazing passion and support of the March of Dimes as our 2013 Treasure Valley March for Babies co-chair!! We are so grateful and excited to be partnering with you in this important cause.
Have a fabulous time snuggling with your new bundles of joy, Grandpa!
All the best,
Denise Brennan and the Idaho March of Dimes Board of Directors and staff
Hi, Denise!
Thanks so much. Being a grandpa is the best job I have ever had!
We intend to have quite a turnout for the March for Babies walk and of course, I will bring both the boys!
Thank you for your wonderful note.
Congratulations, Dr. Pate!
The picture of you and the boys is priceless. I am so happy for your family. What a wonderful way to start the year off!