When Tim and Christine Clarkson arrived for a routine 34-week checkup, they did not expect to be admitted to AdventHealth Littleton due to Christine’s high blood pressure. The couple realized their baby would arrive earlier than planned.
“We were totally unprepared,” said Tim. “We hadn’t packed our hospital bags; we hadn’t picked out a name. We thought we still had time.”
Their son was born on August 13, 2025, at just 34 weeks. Naming him proved as challenging as his early arrival. The Clarksons had used a baby-name app, matching on only seven names after reviewing thousands.
“We swiped on 2,500 names and only matched on seven,” said Tim. “Going into the hospital, our short list was Emmett, Noah, or Liam.”
“None of them felt right,” added Christine. “And even after he was born, I still wasn’t ready to commit.”
Family and staff encouraged the couple to decide soon. During their son’s third day in the NICU, speech language pathologist Maggie Palmer visited for an assessment.
Picking up the newborn, she looked at him and said, “He needs a strong name. Are you a Samuel or a Caleb?”
Maggie Palmer has worked at AdventHealth Littleton for ten years and enjoys supporting families in the NICU.
The suggestion lingered with the Clarksons. Later that day, Tim researched the meaning of “Samuel” and found it means “God has heard.” The biblical story of Hannah resonated with them as they reflected on their own journey through infertility and IVF.
Reading the passage aloud to Christine moved both parents to tears. Christine agreed: “I think his name is Samuel.”
“We had never talked about that name,” said Tim. “We had never crossed it off either. So that day when Maggie came in and suggested it, we really felt like it was just meant to be.”
The couple chose Richard as Samuel’s middle name to honor family members from both sides.
They shared their decision with friends and family in a video message thanking Maggie for her help.
“I felt so honored to have been a part of such a personal time for this lovely family,” said Maggie. “The family interaction is hands down the best part of being in the NICU. I’m so grateful to be a part of their journey!”
Samuel Richard Clarkson spent ten days in the NICU before being discharged on August 23. The Clarksons expressed gratitude for all AdventHealth Littleton staff who supported them during their stay.
“The nurses from labor and delivery, mom/baby, and the NICU were incredible and so supportive,” said Christine. “We even came home with seven pieces of artwork nurses made for Sam and hung up around his bed. We just felt so blessed by all the staff.”
“We couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” added Tim. “Team members in environmental services and in the cafeteria would ask us how we were doing and tell us they were praying for our baby. Strangers in the hallway would smile and say hello. It was those little moments that just encouraged us throughout this whole journey.”
Samuel means God has heard—a reflection of faith central to his story.
AdventHealth Orlando—located in Orlando, Florida—was founded in 1908 and currently led by President Terry Shaw—operates as both a pediatric hospital and training facility (https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando).
