The Incubator

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Rebecca Martinez-Hannon and Dr. Vedanta Dariya from the CHNC Neonatal Transport Focus Group, exploring the variability in transport team structures and practices. They discuss team compositions, unique challenges in neonatal transport, and critical procedures performed en route. The conversation also highlights future goals, including consensus statements and collaborations with other focus groups. Tune in to learn how this focus group is working to improve neonatal transport standards across diverse healthcare settings.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 are joined by Dr. Karna Murthy from Lurie Children’s Hospital to discuss CHNC’s innovative approach to risk adjustment for neonatal outcomes. Dr. Murthy shares insights into developing new tools for comparing NICU performance across hospitals, allowing centers to benchmark outcomes in rare conditions like diaphragmatic hernia and severe BPD. He also offers a look into the future of the CHNC Symposium, including expanded workshops and collaborative sessions. Tune in to learn how these efforts aim to drive continuous improvement in neonatal 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 sit down with Dr. Maria Dizon, Dr. Girija Natarajan, and Dr. Rakesh Rao from the CHNC HIE Focus Group to discuss their research on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). They share insights from their study on post-arrest HIE in newborns, including the outcomes of hypothermia treatment and key findings about patient characteristics. The team highlights ongoing initiatives, such as examining HIE in preterm infants and tracking neurodevelopmental outcomes. Listen in to learn how their work is shaping the future of neonatal neuroprotection.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 sit down with Dr. John Chuo and Dr. Abeer Azzuqa to discuss the CHNC Digital Health Focus Group and its impact on neonatal care. They share insights into using telemedicine across the NICU journey—from prenatal care to post-discharge monitoring—and explore the future of digital health. With advances in remote monitoring and clinical decision tools, Dr. Chuo and Dr. Azzuqa explain how digital health can support care continuity, reduce hospital stays, and improve access to specialized neonatal expertise.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. Michael Padula from CHOP about his research on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the NICU. Dr. Padula presents findings from his talk, “Why Not a CLABSI?” where he examines the complex definitions and variations in CLABSI reporting across institutions. By investigating secondary bloodstream infections and potential alternative metrics, Dr. Padula sheds light on the challenges of accurately categorizing and preventing infections in critical care. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on improving quality measures in neonatal 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 reconnect with Dr. Ryan McAdams to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence in neonatal care. Dr. McAdams highlights key points from his CHNC talk, "Guiding the AI Revolution: A Safer Future for Newborns," covering AI's transformative role in handling complex neonatal data and advancing patient outcomes. From improving analytics to managing big data sets, he explains how AI can identify signals that might otherwise be missed. Tune in to learn why embracing AI could be essential for the future of neonatal 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 engage with Dr. Namrita Odackal and Dr. Sharada Gowda to explore the CHNC Fetal Therapy Focus Group’s initiatives. They discuss ongoing projects, including data collection on fetal interventions and the creation of “just-in-time” modules for NICU teams encountering rare fetal cases. Dr. Odackal and Dr. Gowda share insights on bridging knowledge gaps for practitioners and trainees, enhancing readiness, and expanding access to specialized care information. Tune in for a closer look at how these efforts are advancing neonatal and fetal 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. Liz Wetzel, Dr. Summer Elshenawy, and Dr. Hannah Hightower from the CHNC Resuscitation Focus Group. They discuss the importance of clinical event debriefing in the NICU, sharing insights on using standardized debriefing forms to enhance resuscitation outcomes and address psychological safety. This team emphasizes a systems-based approach to improvement, fostering a culture of learning rather than blame. Tune in to learn about their impactful workshop and the tools available to support effective, compassionate debriefing practices.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 are joined by members of the CHNC DEI Focus Group—Dr. Helen Williams, Dr. Nikki McLaughlin, Dr. Emily Fisherman, and Dr. Ann Downey—who discuss their commitment to creating an inclusive NICU environment. They explore the challenges and essential steps for integrating family-centered, culturally competent care in neonatal units. Listen as they share insights on improving equity in access to care, supporting diverse healthcare teams, and small but impactful changes, like using family and baby names on rounds, to foster a respectful NICU culture.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 sit down with Dr. Whitney Thompson and Dr. Theresa Grover to discuss the CHNC Mentored Fellow Research Award, a unique program supporting neonatal fellows in mastering large data registries. Dr. Grover explains the comprehensive support—from data analysis to mentorship—that equips fellows for impactful research. Dr. Thompson shares her experience studying neonatal onset urea cycle disorders, a rare and challenging diagnosis in the NICU. Learn about the importance of high suspicion for these disorders and how this program is advancing research in rare neonatal diseases.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!