The Incubator

<p>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.</p>

#382 – 🗞️ NeoNews - What Should Neonatal Teams Prioritize This Winter? RSV Coverage Gaps, Congenital Syphilis, and New Research Shaping Care

Send us a text In this episode of NeoNews, the team returns from a brief hiatus with a refreshed format and a packed review of neonatal stories dominating recent headlines. Eli, Ben, and Daphna open with updates on RSV prevention, highlighting new MMWR data showing significant gaps in nirsevimab and maternal vaccine uptake—despite strong evidence and renewed availability. They discuss how supply chain issues, insurance delays, and vaccine confusion continue to limit access, and they emphasize...

11-23
01:00:09

#381 - Dr. Sidney Zven’s Research on Addressing Food Insecurity in Military Families

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Sidney Zven shares his unique journey from a civil engineering career to becoming a neonatology fellow at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. He discusses his experiences with food insecurity among military families, particularly focusing on WIC enrollment challenges and the impact of stigma and misinformation. Dr. Zven highlights his mentorship experience while working on a grant to address these issues and the importance of engaging stakeholders in commu...

11-21
37:23

#380 - 🔬 Can Stem Cell Therapy Transform Outcomes for Babies with Lung Disease?

Send us a text In this episode of At the Bench, Misty Good and David McCulley interview Dr. Bernard Thébaud, a neonatologist and leader in lung and pulmonary vascular developmental biology and regenerative medicine. The conversation explores Dr. Thebaud’s journey into research, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. They discuss the significance of recognizing opportunities, navigating critical feedback, and the promising mechanisms in...

11-20
59:58

#379 - 💡Rethinking Phototherapy – Engineering Innovation with Steve Falk of GE Healthcare

Send us a text In the final episode of our Rethinking Phototherapy series, Ben speaks with Steve Falk, Chief Engineer of the Maternal Infant Care Strategic Business Unit at GE Healthcare. With more than three decades of engineering leadership, Steve has been instrumental in the development of landmark neonatal technologies, including the Giraffe Omnibed and Panda platforms. This conversation highlights the critical role of engineering in making phototherapy precise, reliable, and safe. Steve ...

11-19
21:47

#378 - 💡 Rethinking Phototherapy – Considerations for Preterm Infants with Dr. Deepak Manhas

Send us a text What happens when we challenge our long-standing assumptions about phototherapy in the NICU? In this special installment of our Rethinking Phototherapy series, Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Deepak Manhas to examine one of the most complex questions: how should we manage hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants? Unlike term babies, preemies face unique risks—shorter red blood cell lifespan, immature bilirubin conjugation, lower albumin binding, and increased blood-brain barrier ...

11-18
43:11

#377 - 💡 Rethinking Phototherapy – Phototherapy as Pharmacotherapy with Dr. Daniel Rauch

Send us a text In the second installment of our Rethinking Phototherapy series, Ben and Daphna welcome Dr. Daniel Rauch, Professor of Pediatrics at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Division Chief of Pediatric Hospital Medicine and General Academic Pediatrics at Joseph Sanzari Children’s Hospital. Dr. Rauch co-authored the AAP technical report on phototherapy and brings a unique perspective on how light therapy should be understood and applied in clinical practice. This conversat...

11-17
44:21

#376 - 💡 Rethinking Phototherapy – Drafting the New AAP Guidelines with Dr. Alex Kemper

Send us a text In this episode of The Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Alex Kemper, Division Chief of Primary Care Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Editor-in-Chief of Pediatrics. Dr. Kemper served as chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics subcommittee that authored the 2022 revision of the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia guidelines. Together, they explore the motivations behind revisiting the 2004 guideline, the major changes introduced, and how these revis...

11-16
49:24

#375 - 🟠 CHNC 2025 - Kick off!

Send us a text Join Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau as she kicks off The Incubator’s live coverage from the Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) 2025 Symposium in Denver. This opening episode sets the stage for two days of conversations focused on improving care for high-risk infants through data sharing, collaboration, and quality improvement across Level IV NICUs. Daphna introduces the mission behind CHNC and its powerful Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Database (CHND)—a resource driving...

11-10
03:56

#374 - 🌍 Uganda’s Model for Collaborative Neonatal Care with Dr. Ruth Grace Babirye Kakoba

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Ruth Grace Babirekoba discusses the transformative efforts in newborn care in Uganda, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals. She shares insights on the National Surfactant Administration Protocol and her personal journey in maternal and newborn health, highlighting the significance of mentorship and self-care for future leaders in healthcare. Support the show As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or sugges...

11-05
54:23

#373 - NRP 9th Edition Updates ft Dr. Henry Lee

Send us a text The Incubator Podcast welcomes Dr. Henry Lee, Associate Editor of the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, to discuss the ninth edition of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). They review major updates released October 22, 2025, including the extended 60 second delayed cord clamping, new guidance on cord milking, refined oxygen targets, ventilation parameters, and updates to airway management and corrective steps. They also highlight three new educational modules, NRP Cardi...

11-02
45:05

#372 - 👶 A Memoir of Hope: A Conversation with Jennifer Bernardo

Send us a text In this episode of Beyond the Beeps, Leah interviews Jennifer Bernardo, a passionate advocate and author of 'Week 26', who shares her journey through the NICU with her twins, Luke and Layla. Jennifer discusses the challenges of having premature babies, the healing power of writing, and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the role of presence in NICU care, the significance of involving siblings, and her advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the NICU experienc...

10-29
43:04

#371 - 📑 Journal Club - The Complete Episode from October 26th 2025

Send us a text What’s new in neonatal innovation and research this week? Join Ben and Daphna for a lively Journal Club episode of The Incubator Podcast, recorded after a long NICU day but packed with energy and insight. They begin with an update on the newly released NRP 9th Edition, preview their excitement for the upcoming Delphi Neonatal Innovation Conference, and then dive into five remarkable studies shaping neonatal care. From the use of CARPEDIEM for renal replacement therapy in the ...

10-26
01:14:43

#370 - Teaching Life-Saving Care Across Borders: Dr. Manjari Pophale’s SALSA Project

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Manjari Pophale discusses her innovative global health project focused on implementing surfactant administration techniques in resource-limited NICUs across Africa. She shares insights into the project's development, the importance of mentorship, and the positive impact of the SALSA method on neonatal outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes of global health initiatives, emphasizing the need for effective training and community eng...

10-24
29:28

#369 - 🔬 Building Bridges Between the NICU and the Lab with Dr. Eleanor Molloy

Send us a text In this episode of At the Bench, Betsy Crouch and David McCulley engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Eleanor Molloy, a neonatologist and physician scientist. They explore Eleanor's journey in neonatology, the importance of inflammation in neonatal health, and the challenges and rewards of conducting research in this field. The discussion also highlights the significance of collaboration, both within research teams and with parents, to enhance clinical practice a...

10-22
55:32

#368 - Beware the Satisfied Man: A Conversation with Dr. Steve Abman (NeoHeart Special 2025)

Send us a text In this special episode recorded live at the NeoHeart Conference 2025 in San Diego, California, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Steve Abman, the Dr. John Patrick Cleary Living with Legends Keynote Address Speaker. A true leader in pediatric medicine, Dr. Abman serves as Professor of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Co-Director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program, Director of the Pediatric Heart and Lung Center, and President of the American Pediatric Society. Through ...

10-19
43:16

#367 - 🌍 Building Neonatal Care Across Zambia: Training, Mentorship, and Impact with Jean Musonda-Chintende

Send us a text In this episode, Mbozu and Shelly-Ann are joined by Jean Musonda-Chintende, a critical care nurse and national trainer in advanced newborn care with the Ministry of Health in Zambia. Jean shares her decade-long journey in neonatal intensive care and her leadership in building and mentoring neonatal units across the country. She discusses the process of setting up special care baby units in hospitals that previously lacked neonatal services, including assessing facility readines...

10-15
42:28

#366 - A European Approach to Neonatology: Individualized Care, Empowered Families, and the Future of Education with Mario Rüdiger

Send us a text In this episode of the Incubator Podcast, Dr. Mario Rüdiger, a prominent neonatologist from Germany, shares his journey into the field of neonatology, discussing the differences between European and American practices, the importance of flexibility in adopting new therapies, and the role of evidence in neonatal care. He emphasizes the significance of empowering parents in the NICU and advocates for a family-centered approach to care. The conversation also touches on the future ...

10-12
50:45

#365 - 👶 Christina’s Journey to Discharge Day

Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Beeps, Leah and Christina discuss the emotional journey of navigating the NICU as a parent. Christina shares her experiences from the moment she went into preterm labor to the discharge day of her son, Caleb. The conversation highlights the importance of building a support system, advocating for your child, and finding resilience during challenging times. Christina emphasizes the need for information and education in the NICU environment,...

10-08
38:32

#364 - 📑 Journal Club - The Complete Episode from October 5th 2025

Send us a text In this Journal Club episode, Ben and Daphna review a wide range of new research shaping neonatal practice and policy. The discussion begins with a randomized controlled trial from Korea examining antenatal corticosteroid use in twin pregnancies at risk for late preterm delivery, showing reductions in neonatal respiratory morbidity. They then turn to a meta-analysis on DHA with or without ARA supplementation in preterm infants, where results raised concerns about potential incr...

10-05
01:21:22

#363 - A Mother, A Nurse, and a Baby Named Caleb – The Human Side of Neonatal Care

Send us a text In this episode, Ben and Daphna sit down with Cassie Carrigan and Sacha Force to share the story of Cassie’s son, Caleb, and the lessons his short life continues to teach. Cassie, a mother, mental health therapist, and NICU parent, walks us through Caleb’s complex diagnostic journey, multiple surgeries, and ultimately the genetic condition that explained his struggles. She reflects candidly on the emotional toll of repeated bad news, the challenge of decision-making in crisis, ...

10-01
01:02:26

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