VI Consortium founder, Ernice Gilbert and wife, Charlene, celebrated the birth of fraternal twins on Monday, March 9.
Shanice Grace and Elijah Ernice were born just after 1 p.m. at the Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix. The 32-week siblings, who arrived eight weeks before their due date, weighed in at 3 lbs. 1 oz.
"The Gilberts are elated and count ourselves to be blessed by God to be blessed with twins and given the opportunity to raise twin children, boy and girl," Gilbert said. "We just look forward to the joys of raising a family together."
Ernice & Charlene Gilbert with the twins
Gilbert expressed his gratitude to staff nurses, Joelle Sargeant-Suite and Laurel Browne in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The women say the unit delivers many early births each year and praised the department's head, Dr. Lisa Allred, for her "24/7 dedication" to the care of the hospital's most vulnerable patients.
Gilbert also thanked Dr. Olivine A. Treasure, OBGYN, who delivered the babies.
"Dr. Treasure gave exceptional care throughout the process," he said.
The proud father said his little ones are "growing very fast" and that they and mother are doing well. As of March 17, he said Shanice is 3 lbs. 11 oz. and Elijah is 3 lbs. 10 oz.
From left, nurses Laurel Browne and Joelle Sargeant-Suite, with Ernice & Charlene Gilbert with the twins
"They should be home pretty soon and so we are really excited about our babies," Gilbert said.
It is the first children for the couple, who has been married for eight years.
According to the March of Dimes, about 60 percent of all twins and over 90 percent of triplets are born prematurely (before 37 weeks). On average, twin pregnancies last 35 weeks.
The entire staff and management at VI Consortium send congratulations and best wishes to Erince and Charlene on the birth of their twins.
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