With so much scrutiny on the healthcare industry, it’s hard to find people with anything positive to say about doctors or hospitals these days. But one Florida doctor has become an internet celebrity for his extraordinary bedside manner and his unique way of welcoming babies into the world.
Dr. Richard Bridgewater is a board-certified OBGYN based in Miramar, Florida. The Bahamian-American doctor earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Cornell University and a Medical Degree from Yale University School of Medicine. While his Instagram page is loaded with helpful reminders for his patients about the importance of regular exercise and prenatal checkups during that critical nine months of pregnancy, it’s what he does after the babies he delivers are born that makes him so beloved.
In a December 27 video he posted to TikTok, Dr. Bridgewater introduces newborn Ari to himself and tells him about the pain and sacrifice his mother went through to bring him into the world because she loves him so much.
“I’m putting you into your mother’s arms because this is the lady that gave you everything, from inception, from the smallest idea called love to the biggest idea now called you, Ari,“ he said. “I hope that as you grow up and you look back on this and help us celebrate one of the best days of our life, in fact, the day that defines your life.”
Dr. Bridgewater and his staff then went on to sing “Happy Birthday” to Ari while his emotional parents watched.
While so many doctors bolt for the door as soon as the umbilical cord is cut, commenters couldn’t help but get choked up by Dr. Bridgwater’s warm welcome.
“The type of doctor you want… you can tell he cares deeply about his job,” wrote someone in the comments.
Many of Dr. Bridgewater’s past patients have chimed in, sharing their personal stories of how much he cares for every family he works with.
“Dr. Bridgewater was my GYN for years in Jacksonville. He was the most amazing man, so caring, the best bedside manner. I was sad to see him leave Jax,” wrote a former patient.
Dr. Bridgewater loves that his patients are sharing their experiences online, something he says lets him know he’s doing the right thing.
“It reinforces my belief that every birth should be a beautiful birth and every baby be introduced to themselves and told their value in the world,” he said in a TikTok post. “The day they were born is truly their true birthday, and because they will not remember it, we will remember it for them.”