
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

Oct 12, 2023 • 12min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Open mic w Kris Reber and Milenka Cuevas-Guaman
Send us a textGet ready to venture into the dynamic world of neonatology with our esteemed guests, Dr Kris Reber and Milenka Cuevas-Guaman. They take us behind the scenes of their groundbreaking work with the BPD Collaborative and the CHNC Exec Committee,and their efforts to help shape the future of neonatology by including trainees in their work. They unpack the trials and triumphs of folding trainees into their teams, offering invaluable tips and insights into the realities of neonatology. One of the standout topics of our conversation is the integration of social determinants of health into patient care. From inclusive workshops to engaging with multiple disciplines of healthcare practitioners, this episode examines the multifaceted approaches to improving patient care. Tune in and join us in this enlightening and inspiring journey. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 9min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Open mic w Christine Stoops
Send us a textChristine Stoops, a neonatologist from Children's of Alabama unpacks her work with the kidney focus group. Hear her discuss their efforts to establish data points in the CHNC data directory, and the challenges they face. That's not all, Christine offers insights into 'Advanced', a study geared towards building a massive database in conjunction with CHNC to examine kidney disease and common morbidities. Finally, Christine shares her passion for quality improvement programs, her work with Baby Ninja - a collaborative aimed at reducing nephrotoxic AKI, and even gives a shout-out to her colleague, Mary Silverberg. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 13min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Open mic with Leeann Pavlek and Meg Barcroft
Send us a textWe are chatting with Leeann Pavlik and Meg Barcroft from Nationwide Children's Hospital today. They'll take us behind the scenes of their recent QI project aimed at improving the quality of x-rays, with a special focus on the intricate aspects of accurate positioning and collimation. Leeann will also share her experiences with the Small Baby Focus Group within the CHNC, providing us an insight into their important efforts to enhance care for infants born on the edge of viability. We'll also discuss how collaboration can lead to the creation of more effective resources and educational modules. Meg gives us a window into her passion for equity-focused quality improvement and how breaking down outcomes by race and other demographics can ensure that improvements benefit all. Join us for this enlightening, innovation-packed episode to understand the crucial work being done for pre-term infants better. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 11min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Open Mic w Erin Hamilton Spence
Send us a textWe're joined by Erin Hamilton Spence, a neonatologist based in Fort Worth, Texas who offers a unique insight into the importance of human milk nutrition and how different focus groups are collaborating to create innovative care solutions. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 28min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Chatting about genomics with Drs Kristen Suhrie and Sabrina Malone Jenkins
Send us a textCan you imagine resetting the clinical pathway for a neonate, by simply diagnosing a genetic condition early on? That's the provocative question we explore with esteemed neonatologists, Dr Sabrina Malone Jenkins and Dr Kristen Suhrie, as we unpack the transformative power of whole genome sequencing. This cutting-edge technology is paving the way for early diagnosis of genetic conditions and crafting tailored care plans that can drastically improve patient outcomes.Get ready to challenge the conventional approach to neonatal care as we explore the integration of genomic medicine. We delve deep into the potential of rapid whole genome sequencing and how it can be equitably rolled out in neonatal intensive care units. You'll also learn how crucial precision medicine is, where the clinical presentation of a patient is used to gain new insights and revisit old results. Sabrina and Kristen shed light on how this technology can be fairly implemented and become an integral part of our everyday practice. Let's embark on this enlightening journey together, to better the lives of our smallest patients. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 12min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Dr. Bimal Chaudhari: The Revolution in Genetics and its Impact on NICU Care 🧬
Send us a textEver wondered how the revolutionary field of genomics is reshaping neonatal healthcare? Get ready to explore the fascinating world of genomics with our guest, Dr Bimal Choudhury. An investigator and attending in genetics and neonatology at Nationwide Children's Hospital, he shares his insights and experiences on the frontlines of genetic research and medicine, as one of the founding leaders for the genomics focus group at CHNC.This episode takes you on an enlightening journey into the promising yet complex world of neonatal genomics. Dr Chaudhari outlines the benefits of early genome sequencing and touches on the challenges they face in genetic testing for newborns. We also delve into his focus group's recent publication on the provision and availability of genomic medicine services within Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Prepare to be captivated as we navigate discussions on current barriers to effective genetic testing, and the exciting future of genomics in the NICU. Not to be missed, this conversation is bound to leave you with a greater understanding of the transformative impact of genomics on neonatal 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 24min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Data Power: Shaping Neonatal Care with Clinical Data Coordinators Nicole Kemble and Michele Barrila-Yetman
Send us a textJoin us in a riveting conversation with Nicole Kemble and Michele Barrila-Yetman, who are clinical data coordinators at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Discover how they maintain data integrity with meticulous quality control and documentation tactics, including facilitating a data advisory committee, and how they've created a supportive environment for new institutions through a training and mentoring subcommittee.But there's more to their roles than just data input. Nicole and Michele offer an exciting peek into the world of healthcare data analysis, sharing the techniques they employ to spot trends and make critical decisions. They also share their innovation in tracking the rise of telemedicine, ensuring that no valuable data slips through the cracks. So, if you've ever been curious about the world of healthcare data and its real-world impact – this episode is a treasure trove of insights. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 33min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Talking about neonatal nutrition with Neonatologists Amy Hair and Daniel Robinson
Send us a textAmy Hair and Daniel Robinson, join us to share with us the essentiality of a standardized feeding program for infants, the what are the consequences when infants "fall off" protocol, and the ways of measuring the effectiveness of these feeding programs. Our guests express their aspirations for unified feeding guidelines and share invaluable lessons learned from their participation in this year's CHNC Symposium.In the episode's second half, we pivot the conversation towards the significance of patience in an infant's recovery journey from cholestasis. We explore the role of bilirubin levels and the life-saving importance of a mother's milk in an infant's survival rate. The episode also delves into the application of oral immune therapy for babies receiving milk drops, and the urgent need for research on its efficacy for babies with intestinal failures. Amy and Daniel highlight the necessity of fortifying feeds for infants and the potential influence of family nutrition on an infant's health. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 14min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Chatting about intestinal failure w Drs. Katie Huff and Pritha Nayak 🔬
Send us a textReady to unravel the complex world of intestinal failure in babies? This episode promises to be an insightful journey as we join Dr. Katie Huff and Dr. Pritha Nayak who walk us through the unique challenges faced by babies born with abnormal intestines, those on prolonged parental nutrition, or those who've undergone surgery and are difficult to feed. Together, we discuss the critical need for more evidence-based practices and a potential shift in mindset among neonatologists to provide personalized treatments. What's more, we touch upon the profound impact of extended hospital stays on these babies' development. 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!

Oct 12, 2023 • 14min
🟠 CHNC 2023 COVERAGE - Revolutionizing Quality Improvement: A Deep Dive with CHNC Experts Dr. Anthony Piazza, Dr. Eugenia Pallotto, and Dr. Beverly Brozanski
Send us a textAre you ready to revolutionize your approach to Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives? Let us guide you on this transformative journey with the esteemed Dr. Anthony Piazza, Dr. Eugenia Pallotto, and Dr. Beverly Brozanski, who will walk us through the comprehensive QI projects of the Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium (CHNC). Since its inception, this Consortium has been a beacon of progress, providing critical guidance to various institutions and teams who are committed to advancing their QI efforts. Your understanding of the QI science will deepen as we navigate through its complex facets, revealing its indispensable value to both leaders and patients.Get ready to navigate the successful waters of Quality Improvement projects with us as we dive into the outcomes of two initiatives that led to a groundbreaking 48% reduction in post-operative hyporthermia. Garner inspiration from our expert guests as they share invaluable tips for teams embarking on their QI projects. Collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and alignment with leadership are all critical ingredients in this recipe for success. 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!