Harris Regional Hospital welcomes WCU Baby of the Month Stone Simmons, son of WCU basketball coach Jackson Simmons

Harris Regional Hospital is proud to announce the arrival of baby boy Stone Simmons, born at 12:55 AM on Friday, January 17. Stone is the son of Jackson Simmons, a Western Carolina University (WCU) basketball coach, and his wife Nicole. Baby Stone was welcomed into the world at Harris Regional’s New Generations Family Birthing Center, a regional leader in providing outstanding labor and delivery services.

Coach Simmons, a Sylva native, has deep ties to both the community and WCU. A native of Sylva and a Smoky Mountain High School alum, Simmons returned to the area in April 2024 to join the WCU basketball program’s coaching staff along with new Head Coach Tim Craft. Simmons’ decision to deliver his son at Harris Regional Hospital reflects his lifelong relationship with the facility – he was born at Harris Regional in 1993 and chose to return to the hospital because of its excellent reputation and welcoming, professional atmosphere.

Head Coach Tim Craft shared his congratulations. “I couldn’t be happier for Jackson and Nicole on the arrival of Baby Stone,” Craft said. “Jackson has been a great addition to the WCU family, and it’s wonderful to see him start this new chapter of his life with his family. At WCU, we are proud of our partnership with Harris Regional Hospital, which plays a key role in supporting our athletes and staff with top-notch healthcare.”

"We are honored to have been a part of this special moment for Jackson, Nicole, and their family,” said Ashley Hindman, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “At Harris, we have a rich history of delivering compassionate care and providing exceptional services to our community. As the exclusive healthcare partner for WCU Athletics, we look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship and supporting the health and well-being of the entire WCU family."

Simmons’ parents, both former basketball players at WCU, also coached at Smoky Mountain High School, leaving a lasting impact on the local community. Their contributions to sports and education have helped shape the fabric of Sylva, and Simmons’ return to his hometown as a coach at WCU continues this proud tradition of excellence in the region.

New Generations Family Birthing Center at Harris Regional Hospital leads the region in labor and delivery care, delivering the highest number of babies west of Asheville each year. New Generations’ services include a Level II Special Care Nursery specializing in the care of ill or premature newborns. The nursery is staffed by board-certified neonatologist Dr. Bernd Holler, as well as a team of nurses and medical professionals trained in life-saving care for newborns. The center offers family education and support, advanced diagnostic equipment, and technology to care for a range of newborn conditions, including premature infants, infants with respiratory or developmental issues, and those needing stabilization or intensive care before transferring to a neonatal intensive care unit.

To learn more about New Generations Family Birthing Center, visit MyHarrisRegional.com.