NICU Alumni Podcast
Welcome to the NICU Alumni Podcast. Your baby has graduated from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), and you're finally home! Now what? We know that the end of the NICU journey is the start of a whole new experience. So, we're dedicated to supporting families as they navigate life after the NICU. We're so glad you're here!
Feed with Confidence: Feeding Strategies & Support for Life After the NICU
In this episode, we sit down with Cuyler Romeo, an Occupational Therapist and Pediatric Feeding Specialist, who brings awareness to one of the most common challenges NICU families face after discharge: feeding.
More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!
Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.
You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that h...
From NICU Mom to Mental Health Advocate with Jacquesta Michel
Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Jacquesta Michel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in South Florida, whose own NICU experience informs the work she is doing today.
More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!
Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.
You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures...
The Vital Role of Early Intervention with Kids L.A.B. Therapy
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Andrea speaks with Samantha Vaquerano and Karen Rodriguez from Kids Lab Therapy about the importance of early intervention for children who have graduated from the NICU.
We discuss the various ways families can support their child's development, the significance of monitoring developmental milestones, and the role of advocacy in ensuring that parents feel empowered in their child's care. Our conversation emphasizes the need for parents to trust their instincts, seek multiple perspectives from specialists, and utilize resources available to them as they navigate the journey from NICU to home.
Your NICU Story: A Guide for Reflecting on Your Family’s Experience
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson is joined by co-authors Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel to talk about the lasting impact of NICU experiences on families.
Together, they reflect on grief, healing, and how storywork can help parents process these experiences and emotions. The conversation highlights the duality of grief and gratitude, the importance of community support, and the creation of Your NICU Story Book, a meaningful resource for families navigating life after the NICU, available now.
More information and links to the resources...
From Discharge to Home: Insights for Providers and Families - Part 2
This is the first episode in a two-part podcast series, From Discharge to Home: Insights for Providers and Families, brought to you in collaboration with AngelEye Health. This series was created to provide insights for both healthcare providers and families navigating the NICU discharge process.
Our goal is for the series to be educational, informative, and empowering; emphasizing how technology, like AngelEye’s NICU2Home, along with NICU Alumni’s support, can help families and care teams during the critical transition after graduating from the NICU, to going home, and beyond.
Pa...
From Discharge to Home: Insights for Providers and Families - Part 1
This is the first episode in a two-part podcast series, From Discharge to Home: Insights for Providers and Families, brought to you in collaboration with AngelEye Health. This series was created to provide insights for both healthcare providers and families navigating the NICU discharge process.
Our goal is for the series to be educational, informative, and empowering; emphasizing how technology, like AngelEye’s NICU2Home, along with NICU Alumni’s support, can help families and care teams during the critical transition after graduating from the NICU, to going home, and...
While I Breathe: Susan Reynolds on Parenting, Loss, and Advocacy After the NICU
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, we speak with Susan Reynolds, author of While I Breathe, about her journey as a NICU mom to her son Ryan, who was born prematurely and diagnosed with Down syndrome. Susan reflects on the lasting impact of their NICU experience and how Ryan’s life and his passing continue to shape her purpose and advocacy. Drawing from her background in pediatric medicine and bioethics, she shares meaningful insights on family-centered care, the power of advocacy, and the ways she honors Ryan’s legacy through education and storytelling.
Connect with Susa...
Week 26: Jennifer Bernardo’s NICU Journey and Life After
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, we welcome Jennifer Bernardo, author of Week 26. Jennifer shares her story of having twins born at just 26 weeks and their four-month NICU stay. We explore the emotional toll of life in the NICU, the transition home, and the critical role of community support. Jennifer opens up about writing her memoir and including multiple perspectives to capture the complexity of the NICU journey. She offers heartfelt advice for families facing similar paths, reminding listeners of the value of preparation, the power of advocacy, and the importance of cherishing each moment.
...
Learning to Be a Medical Family and Life After the NICU with Dr. Jessica Allen
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Andrea is joined by Dr. Jessica Allen, a gerontologist, and proud adoptive mama. Jessica shares her family’s NICU experience after her daughter was born prematurely with short bowel syndrome. She speaks about advocating for her daughter’s care, navigating life as a working parent, and learning to manage complex medical needs. This conversation is filled with empathy, encouragement, and practical tips for all families preparing for life after the NICU.
Jessica talks about the emotional weight of discharge, what it means to become a medical family after the NICU...
Healing Through Story: Jen Mansfield on Grief After the NICU
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson speaks with Jen Mansfield, a licensed professional counselor and mother, who shares her profound journey through the NICU and the loss of her son, Adam, born at 24 weeks.
Jen reflects on the overwhelming experience of the NICU, the meaningful connections with the staff, and the support from her community. She discusses the challenges of transitioning home after Adam's passing and the healing practices that helped her navigate grief, including narrative therapy. Jen's story is one of resilience, love, and the importance of community support during difficult...
Honoring a Legacy: Advocacy and Support After the NICU with Misti Staley
In this heartfelt episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Misti Staley shares her profound journey as a mother who faced unimaginable challenges with her son Freeman, who spent significant time in the NICU and PICU.
After losing Freeman, Misti transformed her grief into advocacy, creating the Freeman Foundation and developing innovative solutions for families facing similar struggles. Our conversation explores the emotional rollercoaster of NICU life, the importance of community support, and the healing power of connection during times of loss. We discuss the profound impact of grief, the balance between supporting others and caring for oneself, t...
Preparing for Parenthood After the NICU with Ashli The Mama Coach
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson speaks with Ashli Daly, a registered nurse and baby coach, about her journey from working in the NICU to supporting families as they transition home. Ashli shares her experience working in various NICUs, the importance of seeking help, and how her background informs her current practice as Ashli The Mama Coach. The discussion also covers practical advice for new parents, including the importance of giving oneself grace and persevering as you seek answers.
Quick Notes from the Episode:
Support from healthcare professionals is...I Know Newborns: Advocacy and Support with Chelsea Samms
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson sits down with Chelsea Sams, MSN, RN, CPST, perinatal nurse educator, and founder of I Know Newborns.
With over eight years of NICU experience, Chelsea shares her journey from bedside care to empowering NICU families through education and advocacy. Together, they discuss the unique challenges NICU graduates face after discharge, including health risks, navigating pediatric care, and finding essential community resources. Chelsea highlights the black infant mortality crisis, the importance of vaccination, and the critical role parents play in advocating for their children’s wel...
All Things Insurance with Vanessa de la Llama
In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Andrea Hickson speaks with Vanessa de la Llama, a licensed mental health counselor, about the complexities of navigating insurance and healthcare for families with NICU graduates.
They discuss the importance of being proactive in seeking appointments, understanding insurance coverage, and the necessity of mental health support for parents. Vanessa emphasizes the need for self-care and especially for planning for post-NICU care. Their conversation also touches on the importance of early intervention services, the occasional need for letters of medical necessity, and effective communication with insurance providers.
Quick N...
Empowering NICU Parents with Nicole Nyberg a NICU NP and NICU Mom
Nicole Nyberg is the proud mother of a former 23-weeker and a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. With her unique perspective as both a clinical expert and a micropreemie mom, she’s dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience. Nicole is the Founder and CEO of Empowering NICU Parents, providing education, support, and empowerment for parents and clinicians, focusing on how parental involvement in the NICU positively impacts an infant's long-term development. She's also a podcast host and author of Our NICU Roadmap, a daily NICU journal that guides and empowers parents through their NICU journey.
Family-Centered Care in the NICU and beyond - Cristal Grogan
Cristal Grogan shares her experience of her son's NICU stay overseas in Spain and the challenges they faced. She discusses the language barriers, socialized medicine, and lack of family-centered care in the NICU. Cristal emphasizes the importance of parent advocacy and education, as well as long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. She also highlights the need for support and resources for families, especially those with children with complex medical and mental health needs.
Cristal's journey has led her to become an advocate for NICU parents and children with special needs. In this conversation, Cristal Grogan shares her journey as a p...
The Baby Steps Program: A Transition of Care Model Supporting Families After the NICU
Dr. Danielle A. Cierak and Flor Tena discuss their work in the NICU and the challenges families face after leaving the hospital. They developed the Baby Steps transition of care model to support NICU patients and families during the difficult period after discharge.
The Baby Steps program provides support to families after their NICU stay, helping them transition to home and navigate the challenges of caring for their baby. The program starts when a dedicated telehealth NICU nurse meets with families before discharge and then continues with a virtual call post-discharge where a nurse can help troubleshoot...
Making a Difference: From Patient to Advocate - Rita Mirabelli
In this conversation, Andrea and Rita discuss their experiences with the NICU and the challenges they faced. They talk about the emotional impact of the NICU stay, the difficulties of bonding and providing care in the NICU, and the feeding challenges they encountered. They also discuss the importance of celebrating milestones and how their children have connected with their NICU experiences as they've grown older. Rita shares her involvement in supporting NICU families through the NICU Family Advisory Council and the March of Dimes. She discusses building relationships to support NICU organizations and her experience working within hospital systems.<...
Tube Feeding After the NICU and Transitioning to Oral Feeds with Darla Vazquez
Darla Vazquez shares her journey as a NICU parent and the challenges she faced raising her son, who was born prematurely and spent 203 days in the NICU. She discusses the importance of advocacy and the need for support in navigating the medical system. Darla also talks about her work in helping families transition their children from G-tube feeding to oral eating, providing resources and guidance for parents in similar situations. In this conversation, Andrea speaks with Darla about life after the NICU and the significance of self-care and advocacy. Darla shares advice for families as they navigate the healing...
Dear NICU Mama - Ashley and Martha
We had the best conversation with Ashley and Martha of Dear NICU Mama! Vilma shares how she became connected to DNM and then later went on to become a founding board member of NICU Alumni.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
Families Healing Together and Giving Back - Bricen & Ila
Bricen Urquidi is a stay at home mom of 3 kids. She has been involved with ICU baby (a local nonprofit in Miami that is very near and dear to us at NICU Alumni) for over 8 years and is a volunteer at her children's school and other organizations in Miami. Her NICU journey began with her first born Ila and that experience lead to helping others in need.
Ila is a 9th grader at a local school in Miami and is a Youth Ambassador with ICU baby. Ila started a club at school called Faith4N...
Family Centered Care, Mental Health Advocacy, NICU Parent Network - Keira Sorrells
After giving birth to triplets at just 25 weeks 5 days gestation and losing one of her daughters at 14 months old, Keira Sorrells was propelled into maternal-infant health out of a deep-seated desire to ensure no parent experiences the trauma of preterm birth or loss alone.
Together, with a dedicated team of NICU Parent Leaders, Keira has grown the @NICUParentNetwork to be a sought-after resource and collaborative partner for providers, researchers, industry, and other stakeholders in this niche of healthcare.
Content Warning: Loss of a child.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Neonatologist - Dr. Grisel Galarza
Dr. Marta Grisel Galarza is a Board Certified Lactation Specialist as well as a Neonatologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and she has worked at Holtz Children’s hospital since 1997. She is the Medical Director of the Intermediate Care NICU, a 70-bed unit. More recently she developed a Neonatal/Antenatal specific Palliative Care Program for the Division of Neonatology.
She has worked endlessly and passionately on these projects because they promote and protect mother-baby bonding and breastfeeding, her goal for all NICU mothers and babies.
Grisel is also a founding board mem...
Music Therapist - Alexa Marsellos
Alexa Marsellos, a board-certified music therapist and music educator joins us to discuss how she implements adaptive music lessons for students of all ages and abilities. In 2023, she founded Neurobeat Music Therapy (@neurobeatmusictherapy), a practice dedicated to fostering growth, improving lives, and advocating for the transformative power of music therapy.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
Talking about our three bonus senses with Brittany Aquart, DPT
Brittany Aquart is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, and mom of two, one of whom had a NICU stay.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
One Year of the NICU Alumni Podcast 🎉
Tune in for a Special Episode: "Reflecting on One Year of the NICU Alumni Podcast" with our Board of Directors! 🎉
Join us as we look back on a year of inspiring stories, valuable insights, and heartfelt connections. Hear from the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who have made this podcast possible.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
NICU Alumni Grad Guide - Board of Directors Edition
F...NICU Parent, Artist, and Momma Mental Health Advocate - Savannah Jane O’Malley
Savannah Jane O’Malley is a wife and working mother of 3 former preemies. She works full-time, pursues her artistic passions part-time, and moms all the time. We talk about her twin boys who were born 3.5 months early, how they spent their first 3 months fighting for the chance at life despite being given many devastating diagnoses, enduring countless ups and downs, and achieving absolutely incredible triumphs.
This season of her life made her discover her true role as a mother and set her on a brand-new trajectory. Through social media, writing, public speaking and painting, she is a vo...
Author, Speaker, Maternal & Neonatal Health Advocate - Jennifer Degl
Jennifer Degl is the mother of four, including a micro preemie born at 23 weeks gestation. As the founder of Speaking for Moms and Babies, Inc., her mission is to educate the public on maternal and neonatal health issues. She's also the author of three books and has published articles in both the Journal of Pediatrics and the Journal of Perinatology.
Quick Takeaways from the Episode:
Today is a Good Day Founder and NICU Parent - Martha Sharkey
Martha Sharkey is the Founder & CEO of Today is a Good Day, a non-profit providing personal and financial support for families who experience the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Martha and her husband, Paul, founded Today is a Good Day in honor of their daughter, Claire, and in memory of their daughter, Mary. They welcomed their identical twin girls at just 23 weeks and 5 days on November 14, 2010.
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
Over 4,000 Ounces of NICU Milk Donation - Alexandra Sportini
This week we are interviewing Alexandra Sportini, a NICU Mom to an IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) miracle baby who will soon be 15 months old.
We talk about Alexandra's journey with breast milk which actually started before her son was born while she was in antepartum. From there, we discuss her son's NICU experience, and how, following his birth, she became an exclusive pumper. She was eventually able to nurse her son, and later also became a donor for Prolacta Bioscience, a company dedicated to transforming care for vulnerable babies by unlocking the power of human milk.
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Pediatrician - Dr. Michelle Klein
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Michelle Klein, a pediatrician at Uptown Pediatrics in NYC. Originally from California, Dr. Klein earned her BA in Neuroscience from UCLA, followed by a master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and her medical degree from New York Medical College. Her journey continued as she completed her pediatric residency, chief residency, and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Klein is passionate about sharing her expertise with families and future pediatricians, and we are thrilled to have her on the podcast.
Quick Call Outs from the Ep...
Every Tiny Thing - Trish Ringley
Trish Ringley has been a NICU nurse since she graduated from nursing school in 1997. After more than 15 years serving NICU families, she realized how hard it is for parents to find the products they crave to support them during their NICU experience. So in 2014, she founded Every Tiny Thing, a brand devoted to providing the NICU products parents need and deserve.
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
Collecting The Zaky HUGs®: Embracing our NICU Alumni Tradition
In this heartwarming episode, we interview our founder's daughter and dive into the beautiful tradition NICU Alumni started of collecting The Zaky HUGs® to distribute within our community.
What is The Zaky HUG®? 🤗
It is a soft, weighted hand-shaped pillow that simulates the touch and warmth of a parent's hand. It's designed to provide comfort, security, and a sense of closeness for premature and sick babies during their NICU journey and beyond.
🩵 Embracing the NICU Alumni Tradition 🩵
Here's how you can get involved and make a difference:
1️⃣ Listen to this episode and share it with yo...
The Inclusive Mama - Krystal Janet
Krystal Janet is a full time working momma and stepmom. She embraces all parenting a child with special needs, coparenting and life changes with good books and cafecito. Krystal enjoys traveling, attending community events, eating sushi and trying all the red wines. This momma strives to continue strengthening and growing her village through her family and friends, both local and out of state, and has a soft spot for Autism Moms, Stepmoms and graduates of the NICU. Check her out on instagram @theinclusivemama. Sensitive topic: Code Pink
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
Leaving the hospital...Pediatric Occupational Therapist - Alesia DiSano
Alesia DiSano, is a Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist with 19 years of experience in the field. We met through a mutual contact, Leah Jayanetti, a PT that we also had on the podcast earlier this year. In Leah's words… “Alesia is a renowned occupational therapist with a wealth of experience in early intervention, inpatient and outpatient therapy and has worked in the Sensory Integration and Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CIMT) worlds for a long time. She is the best OT I know and her patients thrive under her care.” It was such pleasure to speak to her and we...
Feeding and Swallowing Specialist - Marci Launer
Marci Launer, is the owner and founder of Launer Speech Language Therapy, a private speech language pathology practice based out of Long Island, NY. While working in early intervention she found her passion for feeding and swallowing in infants and specializes in treating infants and toddlers with Feeding and Swallowing difficulties. Marci has worked with preemies, micro preemies, infants and toddlers with various genetic disorders, syndromes and their families.
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
Creator of The Zaky HUG and Kangaroo Care Awareness Day - Yamile Jackson
Yamile Jackson, is the Creator of The Zaky HUG and International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day. In this interview, Yamile shares about her experience in the NICU with her son and how skin to skin helped them both thrive even in the midst of a tropical storm, and being transferred between two hospitals.
From these experiences she went on to found Nurtured by Design®, where she has harnessed her experience of being a mother to a micro preemie, as well as her professional experience in engineering to create innovative healthcare products for babies in the NICU.
Qu...
NICU Child Life Specialist - Lindsay Davis
Lindsay Davis is a Child Life Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. During her time working at a NICU in NYC she created and implemented a child life program in the NICU and co-facilitated the NICU Family Advisory Council. She has a Master’s Degree in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education in NYC and we're so thrilled to get to speak with her!
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
The Positive Development Approach with Dr. Jennie + Ciara LaVelle
Dr. Jennie Trocchio holds a PhD. in Leadership and Special Education with a focus in Autism.
Ciara LaVelle is a mom and advocate for her two sons, one of whom is autistic. Ciara is also a board member and the editorial director of NICU Alumni.
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
Physical Therapy in the NICU - Consuelo Kloosterman
Consuelo Kloosterman is an experienced pediatric physical therapist. She has over 25 years of clinical expertise in the NICU, and currently works in two level III NICUs in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Quick Call Outs from the Episode:
