07/24/2026
Today, we celebrate the courage and perseverance of Utah's pioneers and want to give a special shout-out to an incredible woman who truly "pioneered" maternal care in our state: Patty Bartlett Sessions!
This remarkable woman, born in 1795, was delivering babies since she was 17 years old! When the Saints trekked across the plains, Brigham Young specifically asked Patty to lead the way as the pioneering midwife and caregiver for the sick and afflicted. Imagine the strength and dedication it took to deliver nine babies on the banks of the Mississippi, and countless others during the arduous journey to the Salt Lake Valley – all while driving her own wagon for most of the way!
Within a year of arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, she documented an incredible 248 births. Over her lifetime, she personally recorded assisting in nearly 4,000 deliveries, with only "two difficult cases" – a testament to her skill and resilience. Her detailed diaries are now a treasured historical resource, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of pioneer women and acting as vital birth records for the early Latter-day Saint community.
We’re inspired by Patty Bartlett Sessions' legacy of compassionate care and firm dedication to mothers and babies. Her pioneering spirit continues to influence the commitment we bring to every delivery today.
Thank you, Patty, for establishing the foundation for the compassionate and expert labor and delivery services we strive to provide every day!
