Researcher | Research Overview
My current project is a pilot study to determine the feasibility and safety of using the cranial cup in premature infants with dolichocephaly. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate if the cranial cup can correct mishapened heads of premature infants who exhibit positional head shape deformity prior to discharge home. Specifically we plan to answer is there an association between length of treatment and correction of head shape in a sample of premature or formerly premature NICU or Special Care Nursery patients. This study will hopefully lead to future studies where we can look at brain development in relation to positional head shape deformity and assess developmental outcomes.
Researcher | Research Background
As a neonatology fellow my research focused on neurodevelopmental and long-term outcomes of extremely-low-birth-weight infants. I performed a prospective clinical study as a neonatal fellow which resulted in an abstract presentation at the 32nd New England Conference on Perinatal Research. I continue to be a very interested and involved in neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature and high risk infants. I am an active member of the Infant Follow Program at Children’s Hospital Boston. I also have a special interest in new hearing and early detection of hearing loss as early intervention for hearing loss can directly affect developmental outcomes. At Winchester Hospital, I have remained active with development of protocols and policies. I developed a special order set for Late Preterm Infant and a protocol for evaluation of the well Infant >35 weeks at risk for Sepsis. I am currently working on a new policy and protocol for mothers on methadone that would like to breastfeed their babies.
Positions and Employment 2001-2004: Resident, Pediatrics, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 2004-2007: Fellow, Neonatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 2007-current: Instructor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2007-current: Neonatologist, Children’s Hospital Boston and Winchester Hospital
Other Experience and Professional Memberships 2007-current: Member, American Academy of Pediatrics, FAAP 2007-current: Director, Newborn Hearing Screening Program, Winchester Hospital, Winchester, MA 2007-current: Member, Infant Follow Program, Fellow’s Core Curriculum Committee, Children’s Hospital Boston 2008: QA/Development of New Order Set: Late Preterm Infant, Winchester Hospital, Winchester, MA 2009-2010: Fellow, LEND, Children's Hospital Boston 2010-current: Member, Newborn Hearing Screening Committee, MA Department of Public Health 2011-current: Member, Breastfeeding Committee, Winchester Hospital, Winchester, MA 2011-current: Associate Director, Infant Follow Up Program, Children’s Hospital Boston Honors 2006: Best clinical research presentation, 32nd New England Conference on Perinatal Research 2006: 3rd Prize, Annual Yale Pediatrics Fellow Research Day 2004: Evidence Based Quality Improvement Award, Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.