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Babies born at The Christ Hospital’s Mt. Auburn and Liberty Birthing Centers on September 18 will receive special onesies to mark the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s 150th anniversary. The limited edition “Born to be Wild” onesies feature images inspired by artwork created by zoo animals such as a hippo, giraffe, and porcupines. Parents of these newborns will also get tickets to visit the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
As part of the celebration, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside the main entrance of The Christ Hospital in Mt. Auburn, zoo staff will bring animals for team members and patients to interact with, including Lily the skunk, a blue tongue skink, and a Brazilian rainbow boa.
Debbie Hayes, President & CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network, said: “The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a crown jewel of our city, and we could not be more excited to be partnering again to celebrate its 150th birthday. We are delighted to celebrate these newborns and their families while also highlighting the work our birthing centers that deliver the best care.”
A photo released shows baby Wesley Kimble (born in August), son of Bianca and Edward Kimble.
The collaboration between The Christ Hospital Health Network and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is not new. When The Christ Hospital opened its Level III NICU in Mt. Auburn—with features such as 14 new bays and a private isolation room—the zoo contributed animal-created artwork for the unit’s design. This was intended to create an inviting atmosphere for families during their stay.
Chad Yelton, Vice President of Marketing for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, stated: "We love teaming up with The Christ Hospital to celebrate babies born on the Zoo’s birthday. This onesie is truly one-of-a-kind — uniquely designed with inspiration from some of our animal artists including hippo kisses from Fiona’s mom, Bibi, hoof prints from Tessa the giraffe and porcupine feet. It’s a fun way to welcome little ones and share a piece of the Zoo with their families.”
The Christ Hospital Health Network operates an acute care hospital in Mt. Auburn as well as another hospital in Liberty Township. Its network includes eight outpatient centers and many medical offices across the region. With over 1,300 physicians and more than 7,200 employees serving patients for more than 135 years, it has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the top hospital in Cincinnati and was included on Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list for 2025.
