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.

More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here! (update article link)

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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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 we mentioned during the episode can be found here! (update article link)

💛 Content note: This episode includes discussion of child loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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.

Part 2: Patent Perspectives on Improving NICU Discharge Planning

In Part 2, Andrea Hickson and Jaylee Hilliard, both two-time NICU moms, discuss the family perspective, their NICU experiences, and what it was like after they got home, sharing personal stories and insights.

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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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.

Part 1: Provider Perspectives on Improving NICU Discharge Planning
In Part 1, we sit down with Dr. Sue Bowles, a leader in the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative’s Homeward Bound initiative, and Jaylee Hilliard, VP of Clinical Strategy at AngelEye Health and a two-time NICU mom.

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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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 Susan via Instagram: @susanreynolds28, or her Website: susanmreynolds.com.

More information and resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!

Content note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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.

More information and helpful links 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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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, and the importance of support systems and collaborative care. She also shares insights from her research on pediatric quality of life and her work as co-founder of The Gutsy Perspective, an initiative dedicated to uplifting patient and family voices in Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) and rare disease research. The goal of this initiative is to help reshape the narrative around what quality of life can look like for children with SBS and their families. Thanks for listening!

More information including resources Jessica loves with helpful links and other fun stuff 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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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 times. Content note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

Find information from the full episode 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 have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.