I am a practicing certified neonatal nurse practitioner and nurse scientist. I received my master’s degree and training as a neonatal nurse practitioner from Northeastern University and doctorate in nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester. My academic appointments include Instructor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Northeastern University Graduate School of Nursing. I have served as an invited member on the 2007 and 2011 National Safety Council Task Forces on Child Passenger Safety Discharge Policy Planning, and have been instrumental in the development of national car seat safety standards for all infants. I have been awarded internal and external research grants. As the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Director of Nursing Research, I mentor nurses and physicians in the conduct of research, and I am involved in conceptualization, development and study of innovative devices geared towards improving the care of newborns.
Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing
1996
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Excellence in Nursing Award
2010
Northeastern University School of Nursing, Distinguished Alumni Award
2010
Boston Children’s Hospital, NICU Excellence in Service and Training Award
Research Background
I am a practicing certified neonatal nurse practitioner and nurse scientist. I received my master’s degree and training as a neonatal nurse practitioner from Northeastern University and doctorate in nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester. My academic appointments include Instructor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Northeastern University Graduate School of Nursing. I have served as an invited member on the 2007 and 2011 National Safety Council Task Forces on Child Passenger Safety Discharge Policy Planning, and have been instrumental in the development of national car seat safety standards for all infants. I have been awarded internal and external research grants. As the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Director of Nursing Research, I mentor nurses and physicians in the conduct of research, and I am involved in conceptualization, development and study of innovative devices geared towards improving the care of newborns.
Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing
1996
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Excellence in Nursing Award
2010
Northeastern University School of Nursing, Distinguished Alumni Award
2010
Boston Children’s Hospital, NICU Excellence in Service and Training Award
Publications
Risk Factors Contributing to the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2025 Jan-Feb 01; 44(1):12-19. View Abstract
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis to Evaluate Discharge Delays of Postoperative Tonsillectomy Patients From the Medical-Surgical PICU. J Pediatr Health Care. 2025 Jan-Feb; 39(1):58-68. View Abstract
No Place Like Home: Improving the Transition From NICU to Home Through the NICU to Nursery Program. Adv Neonatal Care. 2024 Feb 01; 24(1):46-57. View Abstract
An examination of characteristics, social supports, caregiver resilience and hospital readmissions of children with medical complexity. Child Care Health Dev. 2024 01; 50(1):e13206. View Abstract
Transferring With TACT: A Novel Tool to Standardize Transfer Decisions From a Level IV NICU. Adv Neonatal Care. 2022 Dec 01; 22(6):E217-E228. View Abstract
The 21st Century Cures Act: Perspectives of Clinicians in a Level-IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Am J Perinatol. 2024 03; 41(4):511-514. View Abstract
Evidence-based review of chlorhexidine gluconate and iodine in the preoperative skin preparation of young infants. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2022 10; 27(4):e12393. View Abstract
Child Life Specialists Decrease Procedure Time, Improve Experience, and Reduce Fear in an Outpatient Blood Drawing Lab (CLS Decrease Procedure Time). J Patient Exp. 2022; 9:23743735221105679. View Abstract
Inadequate Oxygen Delivery Dose and Major Adverse Events in Critically Ill Children With Sepsis. Am J Crit Care. 2022 05 01; 31(3):220-228. View Abstract
Safety and feasibility of the paediatric post-cardiac catheterisation Wrap: a pilot study. Cardiol Young. 2023 Jan; 33(1):11-20. View Abstract
Parental Experiences of Infant Car Bed Use After Failure of Car Seat Tolerance Screen. Adv Neonatal Care. 2021 Dec 01; 21(6):503-512. View Abstract
Utilizing high-fidelity simulation to improve newly licensed pediatric intensive care unit nurses' experiences with end-of-life care. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2022 01; 27(1):e12360. View Abstract
Evaluation of an evidence-based practice mentorship programme in a paediatric quaternary care setting. J Res Nurs. 2021 Mar; 26(1-2):149-165. View Abstract
Building Moral Resiliency Through the Nurse Education and Support Team Initiative. Am J Crit Care. 2021 03 01; 30(2):95-102. View Abstract
Validation of the Hospital Asthma Severity Score (HASS) in children ages 2-18 years old. J Asthma. 2022 Feb; 59(2):315-324. View Abstract
Brain Characteristics Noted Prior to and Following Cranial Orthotic Treatment. Child Neurol Open. 2020 Jan-Dec; 7:2329048X20949769. View Abstract
Correlation Between Heart Rate Characteristic Index Score and Severity of Brain Injury in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. Adv Neonatal Care. 2020 Aug; 20(4):E70-E82. View Abstract
Pediatric nurses' perceptions of preparedness for global health fieldwork. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2020 10; 25(4):e12304. View Abstract
Nursing science fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. Appl Nurs Res. 2020 10; 55:151292. View Abstract
Cultivating evidence-based practice through mentorship. Appl Nurs Res. 2020 10; 55:151295. View Abstract
Constant observation of pediatric patients at risk for self-harm and suicide: An evidence-based practice inquiry. Appl Nurs Res. 2020 10; 55:151294. View Abstract
Moral Distress: Defined and Described by Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Nurses in a Quaternary Care Free-Standing Pediatric Hospital. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2020 Mar/Apr; 39(2):101-109. View Abstract
Safety of Biweekly Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing in Infants 36 To 48 Weeks' Postmenstrual Age. Am J Crit Care. 2019 11; 28(6):451-459. View Abstract
Feasibility and Safety of the Preemie Orthotic Device to Manage Deformational Plagiocephaly in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 2019 Jun; 19(3):226-235. View Abstract
Building and Sustaining a Culture of Clinical Inquiry in a Pediatric Quaternary Hospital. J Nurs Adm. 2019 Jan; 49(1):28-34. View Abstract
Midwifery Management of Pregnant Women Who Are Obese. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018 05; 63(3):273-282. View Abstract
Informing Leadership Models: Nursing and Organizational Characteristics of Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Freestanding Children's Hospitals. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2018 May/Jun; 37(3):156-166. View Abstract
Predictors of Persistent Infant Car Seat Challenge Failure. Adv Neonatal Care. 2017 Dec; 17(6):499-508. View Abstract
Systematic Changes to Help Parentsof Medically Complex Infants Manage Medical Expenses. Adv Neonatal Care. 2017 Dec; 17(6):461-469. View Abstract
It's in Your Hands: An Educational Initiative to Improve Parent/Family Hand Hygiene Compliance. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2017 Nov/Dec; 36(6):327-333. View Abstract
Use of the Cranial Cup to Correct Positional Head Shape Deformities in Hospitalized Premature Infants. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2016 Jul-Aug; 45(4):542-52. View Abstract
Heat retention head wrap for rewarming infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Am J Crit Care. 2015 Mar; 24(2):141-7. View Abstract
Prevention of deformational plagiocephaly in hospitalized infants using a new orthotic device. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2015 Jan-Feb; 44(1):28-41. View Abstract
Family-centered care during acute neonatal transport. Adv Neonatal Care. 2014 Oct; 14 Suppl 5:S16-23. View Abstract
Health care failure mode and effect analysis to reduce NICU line-associated bloodstream infections. Pediatrics. 2013 Jun; 131(6):e1961-9. View Abstract
Weight and age as predictors for passing the infant car seat challenge. Pediatrics. 2010 Mar; 125(3):526-31. View Abstract
Congenital nephrotic syndrome masquerading as respiratory illness. Am J Perinatol. 2008 Oct; 25(9):601-4. View Abstract
Diagnostic evaluation of neonatal ascites. Am J Perinatol. 2007 Nov; 24(10):603-9. View Abstract
Stability of the infant car seat challenge and risk factors for oxygen desaturation events. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2007 Jul-Aug; 36(4):300-7. View Abstract