Neonatal Justice Collaborative
Promoting neonatal equity & justice through collaboration
September 2023
Battling Bias
Dr. Nicolle Fernández-Dyess talked to our NJC Med Ed and Workforce Diversity subcommittee on September 15 about the important work her and her colleagues did to assess the "Implicit Bias Training in Health Professions Education" and specifically created a "Consensus on an implicit bias and health disparities curriculum in neonatal medicine." Due to their finding that only 17% of neonatologists have provided education on implicit bias and 28% have provided education on health disparities despite the national neonatal disparities we see, American Academy of Pediatrics Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and the Organization of Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program Directors is working with Dr. Fernandez-Dyess and colleagues to create a free, nationally accessible curriculum. Stay tuned how YOU can contribute to creating this much needed educational resource.
Join us this fall!
We're going to NANN! Join NJC at National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) Conference in Anaheim, California. Our session is on Tuesday, September 26th, 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm in the Exhibit Hall. If you're not able to join, let your friends know!
After joining as at NANN, don't unpack! Join NJC at the 2023 Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium Annual Symposium (CHNC) in Denver, Colorado. If you're not able to join, let your friends know!
We Are In This Together
NJC was proud to focus on wonderful organizations doing equity work in our first GBM this year - "A Tour of Organizations Conducting Neonatal Health Equity Work." Our NJC leaders and members presented national groups or organizations to foster true collaboration for the goal of Neonatal Justice.
If you missed the July 12 meeting, catch the video here (upload pending):
Committee Corner
Advocacy + Policy
This committee is led by Drs. Diana Montoya- Williams, Ololade Okito, Stephen Patrick, and Valencia Walker.
This year, the group's "Advocacy in the Life of a Neonatal Advocate" series on June 8 featured Dr. Valencia Walker, featuring her journey to neonatal advocacy and how she incorporates advocacy into her career daily.
The Policy and Med-Ed workforce groups are joining forces to lead a writing group highlight the impact legislative rulings regulating race and equity education and program would have on perpetuating health disparities and inequities in our healthcare community and the lives of our patients and families.
Get connected to their listserv with the interest button below.
Med Ed + Workforce Diversity
This committee is led by Drs. Uchenna Anani, Michelle Marie Pena, Laura Rubinos, and Elizabeth Bonachea.
This year this committee hosted Dr. Lahia Yamane for their Med Ed & Mentorship Speaker Series on March 10, and learned of her inspiring career as Associate Professor, APD, and Assistant Dean of Diversity for GME at Stanford University. On June 16th, the committee hosted a webinar highlighting the work of Next Gen Pediatricians, a grassroots mentorship program for and led by URM students. Check out the image and links above for details on Dr. Nicolle Fernandez-Dyess's talk on September 15.
The committee is also collaborating with the advocacy and policy committee for an op-ed writing group detailed above.
If you're interested in joining, indicate your interest via the button below.
Quality Improvement
This committee is led by Drs. Gaby Cordova Ramos, Nick Heitkamp, Roopali Bapat, Susan Hwang, and Animesh Sabnis.
Our newest subcommittee aims to facilitate education for NICUs on Equity Focused Quality Improvement (EFQI).
The new subcommittee has yet to host their first meeting. Make sure you're on the invite list by indicating your interest via the below.
Research
This committee is led by Drs. Alejandra Barrero-Castillero, Ashlee Vance, Heather Burris, Ashwini Lakshmanan, and Henry Lee.
The subcommittee's last meeting on February 15 fostered a robust discussion on challenges with assessing measuring in our NICU settings but the absolute need to advance Neonatal Justice. Let the group know if you're interested in presenting at the next Works-In-Progress on October 18
If you're not connected, tell us of your interest via the button below.
Interested in joining the NJC general body or a committee? Tell us here
Contact us at neonataljustice@gmail.com or @NeonatalJustice