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This week on Tech Tuesday, we sit down with Dr. Theodor Uzamere, a graduating neonatology fellow from Texas Children’s Hospital, to explore an inspiring project that brings creativity and compassion to the NICU bedside. Theodor introduces us to the Consult Cards — a thoughtful, low-tech innovation designed to support families navigating the overwhelming world of neonatal intensive care.

Rooted in his love for consults and desire to improve communication during high-stress conversations, Theodor created a deck of color-coded, parent-friendly flashcards that cover essential NICU topics: diseases, respiratory support, nutrition, imaging, and vocabulary. Drawing from his own study strategies and guided by feedback from NICU family focus groups, these cards aim to reduce anxiety, improve understanding, and foster meaningful engagement between families and the medical team.

We discuss the process of developing, evaluating, and iterating on the cards, and how Theodor hopes to expand their reach. More than just an educational tool, the Consult Cards empower families to participate actively in their baby’s care. If you’re passionate about patient-centered communication and innovation in neonatology, this conversation will move and motivate you. 

For collaboration opportunities, Theodor’s contact details are: [email protected]

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. 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!