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 medical practices, a seed-stage healthtech venture, and a Clinically Integrated Network focused on children.  Board certified in both General Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Dr. Chang is a Castle Connolly/Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor and also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he also studied as an undergraduate.   He completed medical school at Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Pediatrics residency training at New York University.  Finally he returned to Philadelphia where he finished his Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship training at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.  Currently, Dr. Chang is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Jefferson and is interested in sustainable healthcare strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship.  

Dr. Cindy Dembofsky went to Univ of Ct for undergraduate where she met her husband and continued at the Univ of Ct for Medical School. She came to Philadelphia in 1992 when she began her Pediatric Residency followed by her Neonatology Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson/AI duPont Children's Hospital. She joined the Crozer Health System covering the Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Crozer Chester Medical Center NICUs after fellowship in 1998. She has been Neonatology Division Chief for the Health System since 2012. She is also a member of the Delaware County Baby’s First project.

Dr. Jay S. Greenspan is the Professor of Pediatrics and Emeritus Pediatric Chairman for the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Nemours. He is also a Trustee for the March of Dimes. Dr. Jay Greenspan received his undergraduate degree from Connecticut College, his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, and his training in Pediatrics and Neonatal Perinatal Medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He completed his MBA at Capella University. His research interests include neonatal pulmonary function, development and treatment. He is also involved in research on the prevention of preterm birth, healthcare reform and the medical home.

On this episode:

• The doctors discuss why they went into this area of focus helping NICU babies and families. 
• You will hear about how the doctors encourage parents to be a part of the care team and ask the hard questions on the parents' minds, even though the NICU is overwhelming and many families feel intimidated, anxious, and isolated walking through those doors each day. 
• Personal guilt about what happened with a premature birth can be difficult to work through. The doctors share how they walk parents through realizing the early delivery is not their fault.
• You will hear about some resources for parents to look into to feel empowered. 
• You will hear about “NICUitis” and why is it important for families to leave the NICU and take a break. 
• We discuss what the doctors each tell parents when they start googling.
• We breakdown the best advice for moms who need to ask for help.
• We discuss advice for when families are nervous and getting ready to leave the NICU.
• The doctors share their "one line" they have typically shared with families over the years to help encourage them.

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This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com), and editor David DeLizza.

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