The Incubator

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Heather Tubbs Cooley about her research on nurse workload and its impact on neonatal care in the NICU. Dr. Tubbs Cooley highlights how nurse staffing ratios and subjective workload affect critical care tasks, from endotracheal tube surveillance to parent engagement and discharge teaching. This conversation sheds light on the nuanced realities of nurse workload and the challenges of maintaining comprehensive care amidst increasing demands. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on supporting nurses and enhancing patient outcomes 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 textBen and Daphna sit down with Monica Jones, Senior Family Consultant at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and NICU parent, to discuss the critical role of family voices in neonatal care. Monica shares insights from her work with CHNC, including a universal tool to address health disparities and support NICU families. She emphasizes the importance of personalized resources, Medicaid advocacy, and the unique challenges NICU families face. Tune in to hear Monica’s impactful journey from NICU parent to advocate, working to improve care and financial support for all families.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. Mehul Raval, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital, about his work on enhancing neonatal surgical recovery. Dr. Raval shares insights from his presentation on implementing enhanced recovery protocols, emphasizing a holistic approach to surgery—covering preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. From minimizing opioid use to involving parents in care, he outlines evidence-based practices aimed at reducing complications and improving outcomes. Join this conversation for a closer look at optimizing surgical recovery for neonatal 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!

Send us a textBen and Daphna sit down with Dr. Namrita Odackal and Dr. Lamia Soghier to discuss the transformative work of the CHNC Educational Advisory Committee. This team helps NICU professionals turn complex projects into impactful educational resources, covering topics from game-based learning to neonatal disaster preparedness. Dr. Odackal shares her unique contributions as a medical illustrator, and together, they explore how innovative educational practices support better outcomes for NICU patients, parents, and staff. Tune in to learn how this dynamic committee is advancing neonatal education.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. Srirupa Gopal, who returns to The Incubator podcast with exciting updates. Now an Assistant Professor of Neonatology at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Dr. Gopal shares insights from her CHNC workshop on hemodynamic-based strategies in neonatal care and her perspective on evolving medication approaches. Additionally, Dr. Gopal introduces her new role within The Incubator team, leading a special series featuring neonatal fellows discussing their research projects. Tune in to learn how this initiative aims to foster international collaboration and bring neonatal research to a global audience.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. Sarah Swenson, Lisa Boyars, and Elizabeth Fisher, who share insights on addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in the NICU. They discuss their CHNC workshop, "Nuts and Bolts of Screening and Brief Intervention for PMADs," which guides NICUs in implementing effective screening and intervention programs. Learn about the essential role of mental health support for NICU families, how screening can be adapted to any NICU setting, and the resources available to assist parents navigating PMADs.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. Rachel Rochelle Gomes and Dr. Alyssa Blumenfeld, who share their work in neurodevelopmental outcomes for NICU graduates. Dr. Rochelle Gomes discusses her passion for supporting families with special needs children, while Dr. Blumenfeld outlines her QI project to lower the age of autism diagnosis in NICU follow-up clinics. Together, they emphasize the importance of early detection, family-centered support, and empowering NICU parents with the knowledge to navigate long-term challenges. Join this insightful discussion on enhancing neurodevelopmental care from the NICU and beyond.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. 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!