The Incubator

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Melissa House, Chavis Patterson, and Kathleen Stanton about creating a “psychologically-minded” NICU, where mental health support is essential for families, staff, and patients alike. They discuss the upcoming CHNC workshop, "Combating Distress, Dissatisfaction, and Discord," which introduces trauma-informed care, caregiver support, and the impact of chronic stress on NICU staff and families. Listen in as they share insights on fostering empathy, self-awareness, and a supportive NICU culture, helping caregivers bring their best selves to the bedside.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna talk with Dr. Suzanne Withbourne and her son, Cameron Jobson, about their innovative project, NICUrounds.com, designed to streamline NICU guideline management. Together, they’ve created a customizable website that helps NICU teams track patient-specific interventions based on gestational age and other factors. They share insights on reducing guideline lapses, the process of building this resource, and its impact on multidisciplinary care. Tune in to learn how this mother-son duo is making a difference in neonatal care with technology.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna welcome back Dr. LeeAnn Pavlek, joined by Dr. Ulana Pogribna, to discuss the impactful work of the Small Baby Focus Group. From establishing dedicated small baby units to creating guidelines for extremely preterm infants, they share insights into developing a cohesive care team for these fragile patients. They explore essential components like family-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the importance of a living, adaptable guideline process. Tune in for a deep dive into the strategies improving outcomes for the tiniest patients in the NICU.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna welcome the CHNC team—Anthony Piazza, Eugenia Pallotto, and Beverly Brozanski—to discuss quality improvement (QI) priorities in neonatal care. They delve into how QI initiatives at CHNC set project priorities and leverage data to support patient outcomes across diverse NICUs. From the challenges of Project Home, aimed at increasing breastfeeding at discharge, to exploring social determinants of health, this episode highlights the power of collaborative QI in addressing real-life challenges for NICU families and standardizing care practices nationwide.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna welcome Dr. Briana Bertoni to discuss the CIQI Fellowship, a unique program for advancing quality improvement in neonatal care. Dr. Bertoni explains how the fellowship equips participants with hands-on experience in project development and implementation across diverse NICUs. From defining project metrics to learning the intricacies of nationwide QI initiatives, Dr. Bertoni shares insights into the mentorship and collaboration that make this fellowship a standout experience. Listen to learn more about the critical role of CIQI in neonatal quality improvement and how fellows contribute to transformative care.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Aaron Hamvas from Lurie Children’s Hospital about his research on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and its potential genetic factors. Dr. Hamvas discusses the complexities of BPD, including the role genetics might play in predisposing infants to the condition. He introduces the “Leopard Project,” a new NIH-funded study using AI and novel genomics techniques to explore long-term respiratory outcomes in preterm infants. Join the conversation for insights into how genetics and advanced data analysis could redefine our understanding of BPD and its lifelong impacts.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna chat with Dr. Monti Sharma from Children’s Nebraska, who shares his expertise on neonatal interventional bronchoscopy and the evolving role of pulmonology in the NICU. Dr. Sharma explains how advances in portable, flexible bronchoscopy equipment are allowing safer, bedside airway evaluations, potentially reducing the need for tracheostomies in certain infants with BPD. Highlighting the dynamic assessments this technology provides, he offers a glimpse into the future of neonatal airway management. Tune in to explore the groundbreaking ways neonatology and pulmonology are converging to enhance respiratory care.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna dive into neonatal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) with Dr. Sharada Gowda and Dr. Karena Lawrence, leaders of the CHNC POCUS Focus Group. They discuss the rapid expansion of POCUS in neonatology, highlighting the collaborative efforts to build standards for data collection, quality assurance, and program development. From hemodynamic assessment to creating a foundation for cross-center data sharing, Dr. Gowda and Dr. Lawrence share the challenges and exciting potential of POCUS in neonatal care. Tune in for a closer look at this transformative field.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textJoin Ben and Daphna as they kick off 48 hours of live coverage from the Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) symposium in Denver! With a focus on collaboration and innovation, CHNC brings together neonatal professionals to brainstorm, exchange high-quality data, and spark impactful projects. From updates on the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Database (CHND) to conversations with leaders in the field, this episode sets the stage for insightful interviews and the vibrant energy of the CHNC. Don’t miss out as The Incubator team connects with attendees and dives deep into neonatal care developments. Available on our YouTube and podcast channels!Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this special episode, Ben and Daphna speak with Christine Stoops and Kara Short, who share insights from their CHNC pre-symposium workshop on renal care in the NICU. Christine and Kara discuss the evolving field of kidney support therapy, highlighting the importance of a shared language between neonatologists and nephrologists. From real-life case scenarios to advancements in renal replacement technology, they explore the strides made in neonatal kidney support. Tune in for a dynamic conversation on bridging communication gaps and fostering collaborative care to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable patients.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!