'JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day' Proclaimed in Tarrant County

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court proclaimed Jan. 23, 2023, as JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day during Tuesday's meeting. The Commissioners Court also created a Congratulatory Resolution for Cook Children's Medical Center to recognize teams of nursing and medical professionals for their continued efforts and critical care for the youngest members of our community.

On Jan. 23, 2023, JamieLynn and AmieLynn made history as the first conjoined twins to be surgically separated at Cook Children’s. The girls were conjoined at the chest and shared a liver. Their 11-hour surgery involving a team of 25 medical professionals, including six surgeons, made headlines around the world. The girls were being cared for at Cook Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) since birth. Last week, AmieLynn was discharged and both girls are living with their family in Fort Worth.

Their parents, James and Amanda, attended the meeting Tuesday, all smiles as they held Jamie and Amie in their arms.

The proclamations read:

Proclamation - JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day

Whereas, when parents James Finley and Amanda Arciniega of Saginaw found out they were expecting twins, they were surprised; then a short time later that surprise turned into worry when they learned their babies were conjoined; and

Whereas, while Mother-to-Be, Amanda, enjoyed an easy and uncomplicated pregnancy, there were many hours spent meeting with specialists from across the state to determine who was best to deliver the Finley Twins and the best hospital to care for them after birth; both of which ended up being right up the road and

Whereas, on October 3, 2022, at 34 weeks gestation JamieLynn and AmieLynn were delivered via C-section at Texas Health Fort Worth. After a monthlong stay at the Texas Health NICU, the girls were transferred to Cook Children’s Medical Center NICU; and 

Whereas, after months of planning and collaboration, which included building the medical team, troubleshooting potential issues and rehearsing the carefully choreographed surgical production; the medical team determined when the girls reached 4 months old, it was right time to separate them; and

Whereas, on January 23, 2023, after an 11-hour surgery, with a team of 25 medical professionals, including 6 surgeons, Cook Children’s Medical Center successfully performed its first-ever separation surgery on 16-week-old conjoined twins, JamieLynn and AmieLynn.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that we, the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County, do hereby proclaim January 23, 2023, as JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day in honor of their successful separation surgery. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the Seal of Tarrant County to be affixed this 18th day of April 2023.

Congratulatory Resolution - Cook Children's Medical Center

Whereas, located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Medical District, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital and Cook Children’s Medical Center share a long history of collaboration; and 

Whereas, both organizations have a close working relationship bonded through the common goal of putting family first while providing advanced medical treatments with heartfelt compassion to families in need throughout Tarrant County and across the State of Texas; and 

Whereas, the nationally recognized neonatologists, pediatricians, specialists, researchers, and clinicians of Cook Children’s Medical Center’s NICU are specially trained in the complexities of critically ill newborns and babies born prematurely; and 

Whereas, the Doctors, Nurses & Staff inside of Cook Children’s Medical Center & the Level IV NICU tirelessly work around the clock, every single day of the year to provide critical care for the most difficult and complex medical diagnosis, including the tiniest, micro preemies born as early as 23 weeks and weighing as little as one pound; and 

Whereas, on Monday, 23rd of January, a remarkable team of 25 medical professionals and 6 surgeons performed a groundbreaking 11-hour surgery to separate conjoined twin sisters, AmieLynn Rose Finley and JamieLynn Rae Finley of Fort Worth, Texas. 

Whereas, the incredible team assembled by Cook Children’s Medical Center and their collective expertise in treating the most difficult, rare and complex pediatric conditions, made this challenging procedure successful and the Finley family whole again; and 

Whereas, the citizens of Tarrant County recognize the critical need for the Neonatology Team at Cook’s Children’s Medical Center who are committed to the care and well-being of North Texas families; and 

Now therefore, be it resolved, that we, the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County, do hereby honor and congratulate the teams of nursing & medical professionals at Cook Children’s Medical Center and the NICU on their continued efforts in our community. In witness whereof, we have hereunder set our hands and caused the Seal of Tarrant County to be affixed this 18th day of April, 2023.