A better start for NICU families: Notre Dame leads the way in neonatal intensive care research
In this episode, Kathleen Kolberg, Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of Science, Office of the Dean, Assistant Director of the Center for Health Sciences Advising, shares how Notre Dame helped set the standard for NICU design and care.We also hear from Ainee Martin, a recently graduated chemical engineering and pre-med student whose passion for helping others was born of her past experience with medical professionals following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.Their stories reflect the University of Notre Dame’s interdisciplinary approach to healthcare—one that’s preparing the next generation of doctors to be a force for good in the world.------
Show links:
• Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/a-better-start-for-nicu-families-notre-dame-leads-the-way-in-neonatal-intensive-care/)
• Fighting For website (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/)
• Fighting for NICU babies and their families (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-for-nicu-babies-and-their-families/)
• Podcast Subscribe (https://link.chtbl.com/notredamestories)------
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:53 The University of Notre Dame's role in modern NICU care
04:37 Research shows preterm babies miss important in utero cognitive development
07:35 NICU opportunities for pre-med students at Notre Dame
09:39 How Notre Dame helps prepare students for med school
11:11 Why it's important to prepare pre-med students for compassionate care
14:04 How Couplet Care became the gold standard for NICUs around the world
16:30 The philosophical shift in NICU care driven by research
18:14 How Notre Dame works with architects to implement NICU standards in hospitals
20:31 Why improving outcomes for moms and babies through research matters
22:01 Recent graduate Ainee Martin '25 shares her Notre Dame story
23:51 Ainee Martin '25 shares her experience as a chemical engineering and pre-med undergrad at Notre Dame
25:11 Ainee Martin '25 talks about her work in the NICU as a Notre Dame undergrad
26:50 How Notre Dame is a force for good
27:40 Ainee Martin '25 talks about her undergrad research on rare diseases
28:45 Ainee Martin '25 shares how Notre Dame has prepared her for med school
30:41 Ainee Martin '25 shares how she plans to use her Notre Dame education to make a positive impact in the world------
Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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