Eatontown, NJ, Doctor Delivers Namesake Baby on Airplane
November 14, 2023
On a fateful day in 1997, neonatologist Charita Csiky, M.D., settled into her seat on a flight from Amsterdam to New York with her fiancé. Suddenly, the captain appealed via loudspeaker, “Is there a doctor on board?” Dr. Csiky thought for a minute, then raised her hand with some trepidation.
She was then a practicing neonatologist in Budapest, Hungary, flying with her fiancé to assess the United States as a future home—he was an American.
Dr. Csiky was directed to a Nigerian woman in premature labor. The doctor constructed a delivery area in the rear of the plane using pillows, blankets and—as luck would have it—her labor and delivery equipment in a carry-on. The captain informed her that the closest options to land were approximately three hours away, so Dr. Csiky silently hoped everything would go perfectly.
It did, and she delivered a healthy baby girl, even saving the placenta in a plastic bag so it could be examined upon landing. A clergyperson on board baptized the baby, and when she was asked for the baby’s name, the grateful mother turned to Dr. Csiky to find out her name. She named the child “Rita” in the doctor’s honor. The story made the news, and Dr. Csiky became an instant celebrity.
During COVID-19, Rita found Dr. Csiky on LinkedIn and the two reconnected virtually. Rita, who attends college in North Carolina, told Dr. Csiky that her birth story inspired her to consider medicine as a career.
We sat down with Dr. Csiky, who practices as a pediatrician at Hackensack Meridian Medical Group Pediatrics — Eatontown, to get to know her more.
What do you most look forward to during your workday?
I really want to bond with my patients and to get to know the families—the parents—and make sure that their child is healthy. This is what drives me. Speaking several languages allows me to connect with families better by improving communication and giving a sense of familiarity to the family members.
What do you do for fun at home?
Because I’ve been exposed to so many cultures, I like to cook their cuisine. I make Hungarian, Greek, Italian and American food. I love to entertain and enjoy sharing my food all around the table. Goulash is my favorite, and I cook it outside in a big pot on an open fire.
I also garden, and I grow herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme, as well as chives, peppers, and tomatoes. Growing up on the island of Cyprus allowed me to enjoy the sea and all that has to offer. Swimming, boating and fishing were daily activities that I still enjoy doing.
How do you have some “quiet time”?
I like to walk in the woods, alone with my solitude and thoughts, or with friends.
Next Steps & Resources:
- Meet our source: Charita Csiky, M.D.
- To make an appointment with Dr. Csiky or a pediatrician near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
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