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.