
The Incubator
A weekly discussion about new evidence in neonatal care and the fascinating individuals who make this progress possible. Hosted by Dr. Ben Courchia and Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau.
Latest episodes

Aug 1, 2024 • 11min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ Coordinating Chaos, Leadership in Complex Neonatal Cardiac Cases (ft Dr. Mary Mullen)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben Courchia and Daphna interview Dr. Mary Mullen, a pediatric cardiologist from Boston Children's Hospital.Dr. Mullen discusses her upcoming talk titled "Navigating Complexity: Heterotaxic Complex CHD and Mixed Pulmonary Vascular Disease." She explains the various aspects of complexity in neonatal cardiac care, including developmental defects, transitional physiology, complications of prematurity, and complex congenital heart disease.The conversation highlights the increasing complexity in neonatal care due to advancements in technology, imaging, and interventions. Dr. Mullen emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in addressing these complex cases.They explore the challenges of coordinating care among various specialists and the role of pulmonary hypertension experts in orchestrating treatment strategies. Dr. Mullen also discusses the importance of transparent communication with families in managing complex cases.The episode concludes with information about the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Network (PPHNet), highlighting opportunities for professionals to engage with this community and further their expertise in pediatric pulmonary hypertension.Throughout the interview, Dr. Mullen underscores the evolving nature of neonatal cardiac care and the need for collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to navigate its increasing complexity. As 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!

Aug 1, 2024 • 9min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ The Heart-Brain Connection (Ft. Dr. Shiran Moore)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Shiran Moore from Israel, a first-time guest on the podcast.Dr. Moore discusses her poster presentation at the conference, which focuses on a retrospective study of about 1,000 babies who underwent resuscitation in the delivery room. She shares insights from her research, which examines heart rate and heart rate variability in infants with various degrees of encephalopathy and their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.The conversation touches on the importance of understanding the relationship between cardiac function and brain health in neonates. Dr. Moore emphasizes how advancements in hemodynamics and precision treatments are changing the field of neonatology.She highlights her takeaways from the conference, particularly praising the session on right ventricular function. Dr. Moore stresses the value of applying lessons learned from congenital heart disease patients to premature infants in the NICU.The episode concludes with Dr. Moore explaining her choice to attend NeoHeart, citing the conference's intimate atmosphere and in-depth focus on topics she's passionate about as key factors in her decision to travel from Israel for the event. As 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!

Aug 1, 2024 • 9min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ Redefining Neonatal Cardiac Care Training (fr. Dr. Brittany Graham)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Brittany Graham, a cardiologist-neonatologist currently specializing in fetal imaging from Houston.Dr. Graham discusses her unique training path, which includes pediatric cardiology at Mayo Clinic, neonatology at UT Houston, and a current year in fetal imaging. She explains her motivation for pursuing this comprehensive training, emphasizing her desire to provide continuous care for families from fetal diagnosis through NICU care.The conversation touches on the challenges and rewards of such an extensive training journey. Dr. Graham expresses hope that her experience might pave the way for more integrated and efficient training programs in the future. She highlights the value of conferences like NeoHeart in connecting professionals with diverse training backgrounds.Dr. Graham shares her vision for an ideal career combining critical care and fetal outpatient settings, allowing her to support families throughout their entire journey. She also discusses her poster presentation at the conference, which focuses on a complex case of pulmonary hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in an infant of a diabetic mother, highlighting the use of vasopressin in management.The episode underscores the growing need for specialists with comprehensive training in fetal and neonatal cardiac care, especially in light of evolving healthcare landscapes. As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 13min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ The Incubator Crew Catches Up! (Featuring Drs Carolina Michel and Gabriel Altit)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Gabriel Altit from Montreal and Dr. Carolina Michel from Mexico, who co-host the French and Spanish editions of the podcast respectively.Dr. Michel expresses her excitement about meeting renowned experts in neonatal care at the conference. She highlights her interest in sessions on PDA controversy and BPD with pulmonary hypertension.Dr. Altit discusses his involvement in POCUS and targeted neonatal echo workshops. He previews his upcoming talk on acute pulmonary hypertension in premature infants, emphasizing the importance of a physiological, individualized approach to patient care rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.The conversation touches on the challenges of clinical trials in neonatology and the trend towards precision medicine. Both guests praise the conference's year-in-review sessions for their comprehensive coverage of recent research.Dr. Altit promotes his Neo Cardio Lab website and app, which offer resources on neonatal hemodynamics and POCUS. The hosts also plug their non-English language podcasts and the upcoming Delphi conference, which will feature POCUS workshops.The episode highlights the collaborative nature of NeoHeart and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing neonatal cardiac care. As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 11min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ The PDA's Responsibility in BPD Associated Pulmonary Hypertension (ft. Dr Sam Gentle)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Sam Gentle, a neonatologist presenting at the conference.Dr. Gentle discusses his upcoming talk on the potential impact of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on the progression of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension. He emphasizes the lack of pulmonary hypertension as an outcome in previous PDA trials and the importance of considering PDA as a continuous exposure rather than a binary one.The conversation touches on the challenges of determining when to intervene in cases of prolonged PDA exposure. Dr. Gentle shares insights from his research, suggesting that PDA exposure beyond 2-3 months may significantly increase the risk of pulmonary hypertension in premature infants.They discuss the cognitive biases that can affect clinical decision-making regarding PDA treatment and the need for statistical analysis to guide interventions. Dr. Gentle also mentions an upcoming trial on percutaneous PDA closure that will assess pulmonary hypertension as an outcome.The episode highlights the ongoing debate in neonatology regarding PDA management, particularly the question of how long is too long to leave a PDA open. Dr. Gentle appreciates the conference's multidisciplinary approach, noting the value of gaining perspectives from cardiologists on these complex issues As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 13min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ Growing a POCUS and Hemodynamics program (ft Drs Ruoss and Bazacliu)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Lauren Ruoss from Winnie Palmer Hospital and Dr. Catalina Bazacliu from the University of Florida.Dr. Ruoss discusses her role in bridging cardiac-focused care and targeted neonatal echo. She highlights her upcoming session on when cardiac POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) may aid in neonatal care, emphasizing the nuances and training required for cardiac POCUS compared to other applications like lung ultrasound. Dr. Ruoss also shares successes from her program, including improved physiological discussions and management of acute pulmonary hypertension in term infants.Dr. Bazacliu shares her motivation for attending NeoHeart, citing her goal to stay current with literature and eventually start a hemodynamic program at the University of Florida. The conversation emphasizes the welcoming nature of the conference for professionals at various stages in their hemodynamics journey.The hosts and guests discuss the collaborative nature of the neonatal hemodynamics community, highlighting resources like Gabriel Altit's curriculum and monthly case reviews. They stress the importance of ongoing learning and the need for more training programs in this field.The episode underscores the evolving nature of neonatal hemodynamics and the value of conferences like NeoHeart in fostering knowledge exchange and professional growth. As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 10min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ The brain, the heart and neuroplacentology (Ft. Dr Anna Penn)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Anna Penn, Division Chief of Neonatology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.Dr. Penn discusses the morning's expert panel on heart-brain interactions, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in neonatal care. She highlights how research from various fields can inform the understanding and treatment of congenital cardiac disease.The conversation touches on Dr. Penn's work in "neuroplacentology," exploring the connection between placental hormones and neurological outcomes. She stresses the immediate practical applications of current knowledge, particularly in empowering families and providing early interventions.Dr. Penn praises Columbia's model of an infant cardiac unit run by neonatology, noting its positive impact on outcomes for preterm babies with congenital heart disease. She emphasizes the importance of a "baby-first, heart-second" approach in care.The episode underscores the significance of multidisciplinary collaboration in neonatal cardiac care, as exemplified by the NeoHeart conference. Dr. Penn expresses her enthusiasm for upcoming sessions, particularly on prematurity and congenital cardiac disease.CopyRetry As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 8min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ A NICU Nurse's Perspective on NeoHeart (ft. Eric Stuemke)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Eric Stuemke, a NICU nurse from Bend, Oregon, attending his first NeoHeart conference.Eric discusses his reasons for attending NeoHeart, including the desire to expand his knowledge about cardiac issues, despite working in a Level 3 NICU that doesn't perform cardiac surgeries. He emphasizes the importance of early detection of cardiac problems in their unit.The conversation highlights the value of nursing presence at specialized conferences like NeoHeart. Eric mentions his particular interest in sessions on nasal CPAP, heart disease and airway, and the heart-gut connection.Eric shares insights on the importance of nursing involvement in conferences and how it contributes to implementing new evidence-based practices. He discusses his role in quality improvement initiatives at his hospital, such as the "golden hour" committee.The episode underscores the significance of institutional support for nursing education, including funding for conference attendance. Eric's experience serves as a model for encouraging nursing staff participation in educational conferences to enhance overall team knowledge and patient care. As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 9min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ From Mexico to NeoHeart (fr. Dr Felipe Hernandez)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben Courchia and Daphna interview Dr. Felipe Hernandez, a neonatologist from Saltillo, Mexico, attending his fifth NeoHeart conference.Dr. Hernandez discusses his work in a small town near Monterrey, where he deals with everyday neonatal issues in a setting with limited resources. He highlights the challenges of providing care to extremely preterm babies and following up with patients in economically disadvantaged areas.The conversation touches on the universal challenges in neonatology, regardless of location, particularly in caring for complex cases and ensuring long-term follow-up. Dr. Hernandez emphasizes the importance of attending conferences like NeoHeart to gain perspective on long-term patient outcomes and to learn about advancements in the field.He shares how these conferences not only provide educational opportunities but also allow him to visit new places and interact with colleagues. Dr. Hernandez discusses how he applies insights from these conferences to improve his practice in Mexico, including interdisciplinary care and family involvement in patient care.The episode underscores the value of international collaboration and knowledge sharing in neonatology. As 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!

Jul 31, 2024 • 6min
[NeoHeart 2024] ❤️ Bridging Cardiology and Respiratory Care (ft Lonnie Miner)
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna welcome back Dr. Lonnie Miner, a previous guest known for his popular podcast series on respiratory distress.Dr. Miner discusses his reasons for attending NeoHeart, emphasizing the value of the conference's interdisciplinary approach, bringing together pediatric cardiologists, neonatologists, and other specialists to discuss neonatal heart issues.He highlights his particular interest in the interaction between cardiac and respiratory physiology, especially in relation to pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Miner shares his enthusiasm about a recent session on right ventricular function and ventricular-pulmonary synchrony.The conversation touches on the conference's format, particularly the question-and-answer panels that provide comprehensive perspectives on various topics. Dr. Miner expresses his anticipation for upcoming sessions, noting their relevance to his imminent rotation in a cardiac unit.The hosts and guest reflect on the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field and the practical applications of the knowledge gained at the conference. As 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!