NICU Alumni
After the trauma of the NICU, youโre finally home! Now what? Weโre here to support you navigating life after the NICU.
๐ข Join Our Next NICU Alumni Parent Support Group!
Weโre excited to welcome Javier Jimenez, a licensed occupational therapist and certified infant massage instructor, as our special guest at our upcoming parent support group. ๐
๐๏ธ Date: Sunday, Nov 17
๐ Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
๐ Location: NEW LOCATION! Parents Club, 5701 Sunset Dr, Suite 180 (Sunset Place), South Miami, FL 33143
Javier will share his expertise in occupational therapy and infant massage, including tips on incorporating these practices and the benefits they can bring, especially for those who have had a NICU stay or recent diagnosis. Heโll be speaking for about 15-20 minutes, followed by an open sharing and discussion time where parents can ask questions and connect with one another.
Letโs come together, share insights, and support each other through this unique journey. โจ
RSVP today to secure your spot!
Tag a fellow NICU parent who would love to join us! ๐
๐ข Meet Our New Board Member: Sarah
Weโre excited to introduce Sarah, our new Board Member! With 19 years of NICU nursing experience and a passion for family-centered care, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Sheโs dedicated to making sure every family feels supported beyond the NICU. You might remember her from Episode #10 of the NICU Alumni Podcast. ๐๏ธ
Welcome, Sarah! We're so thrilled to have you on our team. Let's give Sarah some love in the comments. ๐
๐ผ Industry Event Update: Iโm grateful that NICU Alumni had the opportunity to join and connect with so many incredible organizations last month in Nashville. Hats off to for hosting such an impactful event! It was inspiring to be in the room, share insights, and explore how we can collectively support families together.
๐๏ธ Podcast Anniversary Post โ Two Years of Impact! ๐ง We're celebrating two incredible years of the NICU Alumni Podcast! Thank you to our amazing listeners and guests for sharing your stories and making this journey so impactful.
Hereโs to more conversations that inspire, support, and empower families after the NICU!
What episodes have stood out to you? What topics should we cover in year three!?
๐ Join Our Next NICU Alumni Parent Support Group! ๐
Weโre thrilled to have special guests Karen & Sam, co-owners of Kids L.A.B Therapy (), at our upcoming group! ๐
Karen (Bilingual Occupational Therapist) and Sam (Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist) will share their expert advice for families navigating life after the NICU or a recent diagnosis. Theyโll provide helpful recommendations, share practical tips, and more!
๐๏ธ Date: Sunday, October 20th
๐ Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM
๐ Location: Gymboree Play & Music at The Shops at Merrick Park
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and get personalized insights from experienced professionals so come prepared with your questions! ๐ฌ
RSVP today to secure your spot! Childcare available! [Link in Bio]
Tag a fellow NICU parent who would love to join! ๐
๐ New Podcast Episode! ๐
Join us as we chat with licensed mental health counselor Vanessa de la Llama (VDL Therapy Services, LLC.) about the challenges of navigating insurance and healthcare for NICU graduates. We explore the importance of proactive planning, mental health support for parents, and finding the right specialists for ongoing care.
Vanessa shares insights on understanding insurance coverage, utilizing early intervention services, and communicating effectively with providers. As an added bonus, don't miss her helpful tools on understanding anxiety, depression, and mindfulnessโavailable in the show notes and episode post on our website.
At NICU Alumni, weโre here to walk with you through life after the NICU. Whether itโs navigating medical appointments, celebrating milestones, or finding a community that truly gets it, you are not alone on this journey.
๐ New Podcast Episode! ๐
Weโre thrilled to welcome Nicole Nyberg, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, micropreemie mom, and founder of . In this episode, Nicole shares her powerful NICU journey as both a clinician and mother of a 23-weeker. She opens up about the challenges she faced during her sonโs NICU stay, the importance of parental involvement, and the ongoing mental health struggles many NICU parents experience post-discharge.
๐ง Tune in to hear how Nicoleโs experience has shaped her mission to empower NICU families and provide the support they need for their babyโs long-term well-being. Plus, get insights into her work with and the tools that help parents stay connected in the NICU.
Listen now for invaluable advice and encouragement for all NICU parents! ๐
๐ Join Our NICU Alumni Parent Support Group! ๐
As NICU parents, we know the journey doesn't end after leaving the hospital. Thatโs why we meet one Sunday a month in partnership with Southernmost Coast Early Steps and Gymboree Play & Music! ๐
Come to connect and to access valuable resources.
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RSVP required to secure your spot (link in bio). Light refreshments & childcare are provided! Feel free to bring fellow NICU parents who would benefit from this supportive community. ๐ค
๐ Weโre Back After Summer Break! ๐
NICU Alumni Parents, weโre so excited to kick off our next Parent Support Group with an incredible guest expert, Lisa Math from the Family Network on Disabilities (FND)! ๐โจ
Lisa works with , an amazing organization that offers mutual support and shares invaluable resources for families with children ages 0-21. If you're looking for guidance and insight on navigating the world of available resources, this is the perfect session for you!
๐๏ธ Date: Sunday, Sep 22nd, 2024
๐ Time: 10:00AM to 11:30AM
Letโs come together for an encouraging session of connection and learning. Whether your NICU journey was recent or years ago, youโre always welcome. ๐
RSVP today to reserve your spot and join us as we grow together as a community! [Link in Bio]
Tag a fellow NICU parent who would love to attend! ๐ฃ
๐ New Episode Alert! ๐
Join us as Cristal Grogan shares her powerful journey about navigating her son's NICU stay overseas in Spain. She talks about overcoming language barriers, navigating socialized medicine, and advocating for family-centered care.
In this conversation, Cristal emphasizes the importance of parent advocacy and education, and highlights the need for support and resources for families, especially those with children facing complex medical and mental health challenges.
Quick Takeaways:
- Parent advocacy and education are essential in the NICU and beyond.
- Encouragement for parents to trust their instincts and challenge healthcare professionals when necessary.
Cristal's experience has led her to work with NICU Parent Network, National Perinatal Association, and Prolacta Bioscience, where she continues to advocate for NICU parents and children with special needs.
Don't miss this episode and stay connected with us for more insightful interviews!
๐๐ป We're thrilled to announce the launch of our refreshed website!
A big shoutout to for the expertise and attention to detail in creating our inviting and user-friendly new website. Special thanks also to for capturing stunning photos for our site.
Take a moment to explore our new website! Dive into the NICU Alumni Resource Library, where we continuously add articles, podcast updates, and resources to help you access the information you need. You'll find it's designed for easy navigation and packed with valuable insights. It's the perfect starting point for your journey supporting your NICU grad.
Link in bio!
๐ Loved when Dr. Sarik shared this encouragement on our latest podcast episode. Listen now for valuable discussions on supporting NICU families post-discharge. ๐ง
๐๏ธ New Podcast Episode! In our latest episode you'll hear from Dr. Danielle A. Sarik and Nurse Manager Flor Tena as they share insights on supporting NICU families post-discharge. They discuss the Baby Steps transition of care model, and talk about how offering virtual support within the first two weeks of discharge is empowering families at their hospital.
๐ถ The Baby Steps program provides vital support after the NICU journey, easing the transition home and providing tools for navigating the challenges and concerns that can arise from caring for a new baby.
Subscribe to our podcast for more valuable resources like this! ๐ง
Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, is important for parents and can help them recognize their child's progress and growth. Rita shared this sentiment on our most recent podcast episode, and it resonated deeply. How do you celebrate your 's milestones?
๐ New Episode! ๐ Join us as Andrea and Rita open up about their NICU experiences, sharing invaluable insights on navigating the journey and finding strength in the support of fellow NICU families.
In this heart-to-heart conversation, Rita sheds light on her work supporting NICU families through the NICU Family Advisory Council and the March of Dimes. Discover how Rita's journey has inspired her to advocate for policy change within hospital systems, and learn about the restorative gift of building relationships with fellow council members.
Let's continue the conversation! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website at www.nicualumni.org for more meaningful stories and valuable resources. ๐
JOIN US on Saturday May 4th for our FREE Family Meet-Up. It will be a fun park day with face painting other activities. Stop by for a bit or stay the whole time! See you then. Register at the link in our profile.