In a perfect world, there would be no need for a NICU. Yet our reality is that babies continue to be born too sick, too soon, and with medical conditions requiring hospitalization. Activities in the NICU have a profound impact on the babies, their families and the staff. What you do matters. Your work has the potential to impact a neonate’s health outcome, as well as that of the family and staff in the NICU.

Since the 1980s, neonatal care providers have worked to mitigate the stress experienced by babies, parents and providers. Doing so has involved change and its inherent struggles, but eventually we have adapted our NICU culture, policies and approach. We strive to nurture the developmental needs of babies and the emotional and informational needs of their parents through evidence-based knowledge in neuroscience, developmental care, healthcare design, and family support.

This work continues at The 2026 Annual Gravens Conference.