A Darden Delivery: The Busbys’ Journey to Parenthood with Help from Classmates’ Partners

On Feb. 13, Jake Busby (Class of 2026) and his wife Victoria became parents to their first child, Brooks James Busby. As they celebrated their growing family, they also appreciated the bonds that link them to the University of Virginia Darden School of Business community.

As a member of Section E – a group of first-year students who complete Darden’s core curriculum together – Jake was excited to welcome Brooks to their Darden family. However, the connection didn’t stop there.

In a heartwarming twist, the Busby family’s journey into parenthood was made even more special by the involvement of two medical professionals who are partners of Jake’s Section E classmates.

The delivery was attended by Emory Tonore, a labor and delivery nurse at UVA Health, and Maddy Coleman, an OBGYN resident at UVA.

Labor and delivery nurse Emory Tonore with her fiancé, Sam Cancienne (Class of 2026).

Emory is engaged to Sam Cancienne (Class of 2026), while Maddy is married to Custis Coleman (Class of 2025).

While Victoria had connected with Emory beforehand and knew she would be present during the delivery, it wasn’t until the evening of Brooks’ arrival that the Busbys learned Maddy would be involved.

“When I walked in to meet everyone, we made the connection that we were all Darden partners,” Maddy reflected. “Having a baby can be a nerve-racking experience, so it can be comforting to have connections with the providers caring for you. I feel honored to be a part of it.”

OBGYN resident Dr. Maddy Coleman and her husband, Custis Coleman (Class of 2025).

The Busbys expressed how this unexpected connection made the experience feel more personal and familiar. “It was nice to know everyone was part of our community, and it made everything feel more homey,” said Victoria. Jake added, “We didn’t expect it at all, but it really made a big difference.”

For Emory, being part of the Busbys’ delivery was deeply impactful. “It was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I’m always focused on providing the best care, but this experience was especially memorable because of the connection I had already established with them through Darden. It was an honor to care for the Busbys during such a meaningful time.”

As new parents, Jake and Victoria are learning to balance parenthood with their busy lives. While Victoria is on maternity leave from her role as a private practice therapist, Jake admits that juggling school and family has been an adjustment, but he is grateful to the Darden community for the constant support.

As the Busbys embark on their journey as new parents, they offer advice to future Darden families: “Lean on the people around you,” said Jake. “You’ll be amazed at how many people step up to help.” Victoria added, “Parenthood can be isolating, but the more you share, the more you’ll realize how much support is out there.