The Incubator

Send us Fan Mail

This week, we're rolling up our sleeves and discussing the power of personal narratives in shaping healthcare policies. This episode starts off with a riveting exploration of a pivotal HRSA meeting on tribal grounds that triggered a sea-change in the federal perspective. We dissect the report titled, "Making Amends Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American, Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants", which identifies key areas of action.

The journey doesn't stop there. The unique legal status of these communities as sovereign entities, and the resultant challenges they face in the healthcare system, is a pivotal topic in our discussion. We're not just talking about the need to hold healthcare systems accountable for their impact on these communities but also shedding light on the role of individuals within the healthcare ecosystem. From professionals to trainees, we discuss how each one can contribute to bridging healthcare disparities.

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

What happens when a passion for education meets the digital world of YouTube? Our guest, Dr. Tala, gives us the inside scoop on how she successfully transitioned from a novice YouTuber to the creator of Tala Talks, a leading online resource for neonatal care. Her journey is a powerful testament to the potential of YouTube as a tool for learning and engagement in the medical field.

Navigating the waters of YouTube isn't always smooth. Crafting educational videos that are both engaging and informative poses unique challenges. Dr. Tala  shares how she strategically front-loads essential information and adapts her content to be accessible for experienced neonatologists and medical students alike. This chapter gives us an intriguing peek into their rigorous content creation process, which includes extensive research, scripting, filming, and editing - all done with the aim to release a new video every two weeks.

So, whether you’re an experienced neonatologist or a curious medical student, prepare to be inspired by Dr. Tala’s commitment to fostering education in the field of neonatology.

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

Join us for a conversation with Jenn Canvasser and Jae Kim, as we share our profound experiences from the recent NEC symposium. Capturing moments of sheer collaboration and transformative conversations, we shed light on how patient-led organizations shape the narrative at these significant gatherings.

In our chat, we also turn the spotlight on the NEC Society's commitment to equality and collaboration that set a high bar at the symposium. Their vision of a world without NEC resonates deeply with us, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in the NICU with a more family-centered approach to care. Through the lens of our resilient team, we discuss the challenges we faced during the global pandemic and the crucial role of collective maturity in these testing times. 

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

What happens when you're thrust into the daunting world of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), with a newborn fighting complex health battles? This is the stark reality Cristal Grogan faced when her son Seth was born in Spain. In our conversation with Cristal, she shares Seth's journey and how they consistently outgrew their services and resources at every stage. Cristal illuminates the pressing need for mental health resources for families in similar situations and emphasizes the significance of having someone who listens to parents' fears and anxieties.

Do clinicians really understand the power of their words and non-verbal communication in a NICU setting? Cristal offers her unique perspective on this matter as a NICU parent. She highlights the importance of clear communication between healthcare professionals and parents. We also delve into the role of handouts, body language, and follow-ups in this context. Cristal's story is more than just a recollection of events; it's an urgent call to action for more platforms where families can connect with clinicians and share their experiences. 

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

Ever wondered why Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a disease often surrounded by mystery, is so complex? This episode is sure to pique your curiosity as we sit down with Steve McElroy, a leading expert in the field, to unravel the hidden intricacies of NEC. Steve takes us on a journey of how our comprehension of NEC has transformed over the years, highlighting the role of the gut's microbiome and the challenges of conducting research on human samples. He paints a unique picture of NEC as a developmental predicament, rather than a standalone disease, and shares his ground-breaking work on the connection between maternal inflammation and NEC.

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

Are you ready to embark on a journey from a NICU parent to a NICU dietitian? In this gripping conversation, we sit down with Erin Pryor's story, a former NICU parent,  is a testament to the power of personal experiences in shaping professional lives.

Erin also offers a sneak peek into her current role with the NEC Society, specifically discussing her work with research initiatives like the probiotics toolkit and the research incubator. Our conversation delves into the details of these programs and their contribution to neonatal care and research. Erin's passion for her work shines through, particularly when she discusses the joy of influencing the lives of premature babies beyond the hospital. Join us as we explore the compelling intersection of personal and professional journeys in this episode.

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

What if you could transplant the principles of teamwork from sports to the medical field, particularly in neonatology? Join us on a fascinating journey with Jochen Profit as we explore this very idea. Jochen brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation, drawing from his academic work and personal experiences, as he eloquently compares a NICU team to a sports team. Just as in sports, technical expertise is necessary, but so is communication, kindness, and foresight. The real-world session he moderated on NEC reduction depicts how quality improvement practices can apply even in scenarios with less-than-stellar evidence. 

Jochen doesn't stop at just drawing parallels. He delves into the nitty-gritty of how to make these sports strategies work in the medical world. He emphasizes the need for constant updates to guidelines and shared baseline protocols. The conversation gets really captivating as we discuss measuring success in a medical unit, learning from errors, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By the end of our chat, you'll have a newfound understanding of the potential impact of standardized approaches and the importance of continual learning in medical teams. Make sure to tune in and gain a fresh perspective on teamwork in neonatology. It might inspire you to rethink strategies in your own team setting.

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

Discover the power of human milk in our latest engaging conversation with podcast veteran, Amy Hair. We delve into the science behind human milk and its impact on NEC reduction, underscoring the importance of the collective effort to enhance a mother's milk supply and the absolute necessity of arming parents with this knowledge.

As Amy and I continue to relive the moments from the conference, we shed light on the importance of gratitude for presence and visiting. Amy also shares her association with the NEC society and her deep-seated passion to curb NEC. Through her story, you'll understand the power of unity in battling a common cause. 

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

What happens when a grandmother steps into the world of the NICU, not just as a concerned relative but as an integral part of the care team? Leslie Napolitano opens up about her unique journey in this episode. Walking side by side with her daughter, Jen Canvasser, she navigated the labyrinth of this unfamiliar terrain when her grandchild Micah was admitted to the NICU. Leslie shares the raw emotions of her experiences and advocates for the inclusion of extended family in the care team. She stresses the importance of parental consent and the need for clear communication from the onset.

In a moving conversation, Leslie peels back layers of the profound topic of grief, underlining the significance of presence and kindness in the face of despair. She discusses the power of transforming a heart-wrenching experience into a catalyst for change, seen through Jen's initiative - the NEC Society. Leslie's unwavering support for her daughter’s cause illuminates the healing that can come from channeling heartbreak into purposeful action. She also shares the inspiring inception of the Book and Blood Drive initiatives, started in Mica's honor, which continue to touch lives. This enlightening discussion promises to tug at your heartstrings while demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit.

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

Dr. Karl Sylvester, a renowned pediatric surgeon, professor at Stanford University, and an expert in the field of necrotizing enterocolitis. This episode brims with insights on his groundbreaking research over the last two decades, focusing on the essential role of microbes in the baby's gut, the toxins they produce, and how these might be linked to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis. 

You'll also get a glimpse into Dr. Sylvester's exciting presentation at the NEC Symposium. This episode teases apart fascinating theories, such as the role of formic acid - a harmful substance produced by certain bacteria - in the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis. From the concept of biomarkers to potential preventative measures and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, this episode is a treasure trove of information. Join us as we shine a light on the pioneering research being done to enhance the lives of our youngest patients.

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!