The Incubator

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Ben 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 show

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!