NICU Today: A podcast by Today is a Good Day

In today’s episode, Martha sits down with Dr. Allison Keen, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness. With an impressive career spanning 17 years, Dr. Keen brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to patient advocacy to our conversation. Dr. Keen shares the story of her journey into Obstetrics and Gynecology, tracing her path from...

In this episode, I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Jenné Johns, MPH, a national health equity thought leader, author, and advocate for reducing healthcare disparities. Jenné wrote "Once Upon a Preemie," a groundbreaking children's book for parents of preemies in the NICU, inspired by her own experience advocating for her son. On today’s episode: Jenné shares her personal NICU exper...

In this episode, I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Colette, the co-founder and executive director of the Breastfeeding Resource Center (BRC). Since 2003, Colette has dedicated herself to providing accessible and equitable lactation support through the BRC, ensuring no family is left without assistance. On today’s episode: Colette shares the inspiration behind founding the BRC and how it has ev...

In this episode, I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Colleen Weimer. Colleen is not only a devoted mother but a beacon of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Her journey with her son, Sully, born at 30 weeks and weighing a mere 2lbs 3oz, is an inspiring tale of triumph over the challenges of prematurity and a rare heart condition known as transposition of the great arteries. Our in...

In this episode, we're honored to have Crystal Zukosky, a dedicated mother and aspiring family attorney, as our special guest. Crystal, a mom of two boys aged 18 and 2.5, brings a unique background in hotel restaurant management and culinary arts. Currently pursuing a Law and Society degree at Penn State University online, Crystal is actively involved in advocating for changes in Pennsylvania...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Ashlee Adams, a licensed clinical social worker passionate about supporting infants and their parents, as our special guest. Ashlee's journey includes a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, with specializations in direct practice and integrated health. With experience in community, hospital, and private practice se...

In today's episode, we're pleased to have Tracy Warren, co-founder and CEO of Astarte Medical, as our special guest. Tracy's extensive experience as a healthcare venture investor and her commitment to women's and children's health make her a valuable voice in the industry. Join us as Tracy shares insights into her background and how her focus on nutrition developed, particularl...

In this episode, we are honored to welcome our special guest, Quinn Forster, who, along with her husband, both come from large families and always dreamt of building a big family of their own. With three children and seven years of marriage, their journey to parenthood has been nothing short of remarkable, brimming with unexpected twists and turns. Quinn is here to share her family's incredibl...

In this episode, we are thrilled to introduce our special guest, Roxy Romeo, a radio veteran with a nationwide presence, whose warm and relatable personality has won her the hearts of listeners across 63 markets, including Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Detroit. Despite her national success, Roxy remains the friend you've always wanted to have. Born and raised in Miami, she kickstarted her radio...

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce our extraordinary guest, Adam Wood. With a captivating journey that's both inspiring and impactful, Adam brings his unique perspective as a retired U.S. Army veteran, a devoted NICU Dad, and a published author who's authored three heartwarming children's books centered around prematurity and the NICU. Adam's story is a testament to the resi...

In this episode, I am honored to introduce my distinguished guest, Dr. Melinda Elliott. Dr. Elliott is a seasoned neonatologist and serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Prolacta Bioscience, a company dedicated to advancing the well-being of premature infants. Her extensive career in neonatology has touched the lives of countless families, and her dedication to improving neonatal care is truly i...

Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Stefanie Lopacinski, a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly two decades of experience in individual, couples, and group therapy. Dr. Lopacinski is the proud owner of Women's Wellness of Abington, a private practice that recently celebrated its second anniversary. Her specialty lies in providing support for female patients navigating the chall...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we are joined by an extraordinary guest, Danielle Mundondo, who has faced remarkable challenges with unwavering strength. Her family's story is one of resilience, love, and the indomitable human spirit. Danielle shares her family's incredible journey towards starting a family, which led them to the NICU, CCNICU, and PICU with their three daughters....

Welcome to the Today is a Good Day Podcast. In this episode, we explore the incredible power of finding strength through tragedy and using difficult experiences to drive philanthropy. When life takes unexpected turns, many of us yearn for ways to give back and help others in our communities. Whether you've experienced a traumatic event or are simply eager to make a difference in the world, thi...

In this emotionally charged and deeply inspiring episode, we explore the transformative journey of Darren Sudman, a remarkable individual who, in the face of profound personal loss, channeled his grief into creating a national nonprofit that has touched countless lives. Join us as we sit down with Darren, founder of Simon’s Heart, a close friend and mentor, who has a unique and powerful story to s...

Navigating your baby’s health after discharge can be overwhelming. Our guest today will help us navigate the post-NICU experience with determining priorities and staying organized with post-NICU life. Dr. Kate Chappell is an Associate Professor with the University of South Carolina, College of Nursing and is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Sou...

Some families move from the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) to the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) during an extended hospital stay. What is the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit? How do you manage an extended NICU and PICU journey? Today’s guest will share more about her family’s journey with their 26-weeker, Eli, navigating from an extended stay in the NICU to their journey in the PICU and...

We hear about case managers supporting families in the NICU, but what is the role of a case manager and when do you need one? Also, what are social determinants of health and how do they impact a family navigating the NICU. We will hear answers to these questions and more with our guest today. Madeline Szabo is the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Progeny Health, a national healthca...

Advocating for yourself and your baby can be challenging in the hospital. Feeling intimidated by the medical terminology and the equipment is understandable. The large team of doctors and nurses caring for your baby can be overwhelming. Today we will discuss best practices for you to speak up and be a part of the care team for your baby. We will also hear about our guest’s personal journey as a ca...

A prenatal diagnosis is filled with unknowns, anxiety, and fears for parents. Today’s guest knows this experience personally after her son was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect at just 18 weeks gestation. Sarah Banach was always passionate for child development and wanting to be a mom. While in college and graduate school she turned to childcare as her career prior to becoming a teen therap...

Finding the right OB/GYN and high risk doctor can be a difficult process for families. When do you ask to speak with a high risk doctor? What can they help you with during a pregnancy? Dr. Jack Fitzsimmons is here to answer these questions and more. Dr. Fitzsimmons grew up in Philadelphia attending both LaSalle College HS and LaSalle University followed by medical school at Hahnemann, Abington Hos...

Hearing about the NICU and becoming a NICU parent can be far from what you expect it to be. Advocating for your baby and learning how to navigate the ups and downs is important. Today’s guest knows this unique journey firsthand with her 26-weeker. On this episode you will hear: • Camille will share her journey to starting a family, with you; • You’ll hear what Camille knew about the neonatal inten...

Parenthood is an adventure for all of us. Today’s guest knows this adventure well. Lena Young and her high school sweetheart husband are the parents to nine beautiful children including a set of twins and a set of quadruplets born nearly 8 months ago. Lena is a stay at home mom sharing her family’s adventures through her Instagram page - "Raising our Youngs." You can follow Lena at @raisin...

We have an action-packed roundtable for this episode! We are honored to welcome three incredible neonatologists who have impacted more families than they know… Dr. Eddie Chang currently serves as the Chief of Neonatology at Jefferson-Abington Hospital, but more broadly believes that it is important to build teams that care deeply about children and their families. His experience includes founding...

The NICU journey can bring people into your life you never expected. I’ll never forget the day I met our next guests walking through the halls of the NICU. Melissa was wearing a Penn State sweatshirt and I said “We Are” walking past. That opened the door for us to connect with each other and we have stayed in touch for nearly 11 years. While our personal NICU journeys were different, we share a co...