First Twins Born at New Hospital Share Special Connection to MMH History

The first twins born at MMH recently met the first twins born at the new facility

Al Hartman and Dorothy Flaspohler became the first twins born at Margaret Mary Hospital. Now, as they celebrate their 93rd birthday, they share a unique connection with Aria and Bella Ashcraft, the first twins born at our new hospital, just weeks after it opened. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Just weeks after Margaret Mary Health opened the doors to its new hospital, the organization welcomed its first set of twins, and their arrival came with a remarkable connection to the hospital's history.

Fraternal twins Aria and Bella Ashcraft were born September 22, 2026, to Rikki Vann and Shane Ashcraft of Rising Sun, Indiana. The girls were delivered by emergency C-section by obstetrician-gynecologists Dr. Kelley Fitzpatrick and Dr. Jeff Hatcher.

Their arrival came almost exactly 93 years after another special set of twins made MMH history.

On September 26, 1933, Al Hartman and Dorothy Flaspohler became the first twins born at the original hospital. Now, as Hartman and Flaspohler celebrate their 93rd birthday, they share a special connection with Aria and Bella, the first twins born at the new hospital. To celebrate the remarkable coincidence, MMH recently brought the two sets of twins together for a photo, capturing 93 years of care in one special moment.

Hartman and Flaspohler have built quite a family legacy since their arrival at MMH nearly a century ago. Together, they have 20 children, 64 grandchildren and more than 50 great-grandchildren.

“Generations of Care has long been part of who we are at Margaret Mary Health, and I can’t think of a more beautiful example of what those words mean,” said Liz Leising, MMH President and CEO. “Bringing together the first twins born at our original hospital with the first twins born at our new hospital was an incredibly special moment. It connects our history with our future and reminds us what a privilege it is to care for generations of families in this community.”

MMH officially opened its new hospital at 1155 State Road 229 North in Batesville on August 8, 2026. The new facility represents a new chapter for the organization while continuing its longstanding tradition of caring for families throughout southeastern Indiana.

For two sets of twins born 93 years apart, that connection between MMH’s past and future is now part of the hospital’s history.