I first stepped foot in a NICU in 1994 as a shadowing high school student, rotated in the NICU as a medical student in 2001, and started my NICU fellowship at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, 17 years ago in 2006. Next week will be my last week working as a neonatologist -- I am transitioning to a full-time position as a telemedicine pediatrician with Blueberry Pediatrics this fall, and I hope to continue to build my 4th Trimester home-visiting practice.
What have I loved the most about being a neonatologist?
• My thousands of newborn patients, who I have loved and cared for like they are my own babies.
• All of the incredible people I have had the privilege to work with through the years, including neonatologists, fellows, NICU nurses, NNPs, PAs, respiratory therapists, OTs, PTs, social workers, dieticians, pharmacists, palliative care, lactation teams, phlebotomy, environmental services, and clerical staff.
• The opportunity to teach hundreds of medical students, residents, fellows, NNPs and PAs students, and other trainees about newborn medicine.
• Being involved in NICU follow-up programs and with Project NICU.
• All of the miracles and patients who have defied the odds I’ve witnessed through the years.
Why am I retiring from neonatology in my 40s?
• Decades of sleep-deprivation have negatively impacted my physical and mental health, emotional well-being, and relationships.
• Too much heartbreak from patients dying or having devastating outcomes.
• Continuous fears that I am going to make a medical error and/or be sued.
• Unrealistic expectations for promotion in the academic world for a part-time physician who is also a mom.
• The realization that my kids need me more now, during their teen years, than ever before!
As I leave my career in neonatology I’d like to give a special thanks to my NICU colleagues who have impacted my life, and made me a better doctor and person, including the following:
University of Notre Dame/Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN (1998-1999): Dr. Robert White (my first NICU mentor!)
Ohio State University Medical Center (2001-2003): Drs. Chris Timan, Ed Shepherd, Trent Tipple, and Paige O’Mahoney.
UMass Memorial Medical Center (2003-2006): Drs. Frank Bednarek (deceased), Alan Picarillo, Joel Weiner, Stu Weisberger, Jennifer Rylander, Steve Bean, Jim Pellegrini, Bob Kiley, Matt Braga, Laurel Bookman-Moyer, Morris Earle, and Jonathan Spector. Paula Beaver, Mary Whalen, and all of the other NNPs and RNs at UMass who taught, inspired, and encouraged me to pursue this path.
Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital (2006-2009 and 2017-2023): Drs. Richard Martin, Av Fanaroff, Michele Walsh, Mary Nock, Monika Bhola, Gulgun Yalcinkaya, Rita Ryan, Jon Fanaroff, Anna Maria Hibbs, Cynthia Bearer, Qin Yao, Dee Wilson-Costello, Rick Rodriguez, Jalal Abu-Shaweesh, Esther Kim, Thomas Lai, Chris Slocum, Angel Luciano, Sean Frederick, Ami Kohn, Beau Batton, Kara Driver, Mohamad Dajani, Kee Thai, Allison Payne, Moira Crowley, Arielle Olicker, Anchalee Limrungsikul, Meggan Kuper-Sasse, Stephanie Ford, Tommy Raffay, Ana Ribeiro, Tara Glenn, Anantha Harijith, Vidhi Shah, Kristin Voos, Yoav Littner, Prasad Achanti, Ira Holla, Allison Osborne, Steve Conlon, Jill Baley, Eileen Stork, Dev Mukherjee, and Maureen Hack (deceased). Karla Phipps, Kristy Fanaroff, Ann Gecowets, Ann Farah, Tracy Craver, Ann Modic, Jennifer Waiters, Helene Lannon, Ashley Rodriguez, Renee Grabski, Allison Oliverio, Melissa Grathwol, Stacey Cogan, Rachel Brookes, Lisa Hoehnen, Jenn Eggert Johntony, Laura Mancini, Trisha Miller, Trish Maher, Kathy Moore, Peggy Mauler, Tina Anzo, Sheri Ricciardi, Veronica DeLeon, Andrea Fox, Kerri Husman, Chris Joyce, Kathy Deakins, Julie Bodie, Carolyn Irby, Haleigh Gaines, Shauna Hendershot, Liz Brett, Amanda McGinnis, Jackie McClary, Jen Papps, Chad Weagraff, John Gallagher, Jen Mikuluk, Victoria Smith, Kristen Ganzhorn, Kelly Esarove, Kim Mickol, Julie Jensen, Diana Jacobs, Missie Wiggins, Lorina Kaufman, Charlene Nauman, Marisa Melillo, Jen Ramsey, Jayna Cummings, Joann Eischen, Patty Butauski, Ann Kessler, Brianne Parks, Debbie Prusak, Maureen Meade, Jen Traylor, Angela Amaddio, Peggy O’Donnell, Amy Bieda, Edie Kolvalck (deceased), John Dickson, Cally Papenfus, Kim Vozar, Steven Clark, Jennifer Gordon-Smith, Kaona Williams, Niko Tien, Kris Shakour, Kim Findura, Errin Taylor, Kevin Ives, Jolene Amos, Joyce Horvath, Beth Frankel, Leta Hickey, Rebecca Spielberg, Jesse Burns, Arlene Zadell, Lisa Byrnes, Debi Rockwell, Kathy Dvorak, Carolyn Grier, Lilian Chang, Dedra Teel, Emily Rolle, Natalie Vonderau, Lora Espancho, Mary Ann Blatz, Rosella Dempsey, Ann Reitenbach (deceased), Jessie Rose, Shoba Mitchell, Danielle Beckwith, Jackie Walsh Ludwig, Nicole Olicker, Sara Gorman, Angelia Williams, Elise Saluga, Shannon Visconti, and Becky Wainwright.
Lake Hospital System (2007-2009): Drs. Prem Mehandru and Maria Tomaszewska
Aurora BayCare Medical Center (2009-2015): Drs. Toby Cohen, Frank Mattia, Michelle Hayes, Candy Allenbrand, and Roderick Krueger. Mary Fleming-Hill, Kedra Kluckey, KK Koszarek, Dewey Otten, Bridget Stillman, Nick George, Kristen Rexford, Katie Van Laanen, Jill Augustine, Sara Presteen, Jessica Weiland, Sherri McLean, Brenda Etienne, Mandi Hurst, Kari Mleziva, Patti Davis, Ann Merline, Kurt Evanoff, Bea Bartels, Darlene O’Brien, Amie Fruzen, Ann Hathaway, Eveline Schmitt, Linda Mitchem, Sherry Nolle, Danielle Golz, Jacqie Will, Kelly Hall, Paula Kriescher, Heidi Handrich, Edelyn Cash, Amy Zynda, Dana Konkle, Kathy Rechsteiner, Kelli Conant, Christy Miller, Suzanne Klosterman, Marge Ostrand, Kim Martens Gunn, Carrie Doine, Emily Kane, Kari Vieau, Laura Kaster, Cory Elizabeth, Tiffany Rae, Derek Przybylski, Tara Steinhorst, and Michelle Ingram.
Boston Children’s Hospital/Beverly Hospital/Winchester Hospital (2015-2016): Drs. Ivana Culic, Ceara Deno, Jen Lee, Nancy Weinshenck, Tanzeema Hossain, Daphne Remy, Aimee Knorr, and Karen McAlmon. Mackenzie O’Bryan, Larn Beard, Jeanne Arsenault, Monique Casey, Janet Strong, Cindy Sparkas, Kim Husson Wright, Chris Correia, Kim Taft Shea, Lisa Pelonzi, Jennifer McKiernan, Jean Randazza, Tessa Merrick, Deb Smith, Rebecca Landry, and Jessica Argentino.
Cleveland Clinic Fairview and Hillcrest Hospitals (2016-2017):Drs. Ani Das, AJ Mathew, Sabine Iben, Jen Peterson, Hany Aziz, Bill Zaia, Ibrahim Sammour, Marina Perez, Sreenivas Karnati, Natalie Yeaney, Hany Aly, Subhash Puthuraya, and Firas Saker. Betsy Burkey, Barb Gareau, Laura Bobek, Carm LoPiccolo, Laura Foss, Barb Miguel, Donna Kress, Marla Schlote, Michele Branham, Dianne Bunner, Rita Eakins, Sue Levar, Marissa Newburg, Peggy Mauler, Laura Walker, Arezou Parsian, Beth Kapalczynski, Jammie Frye, Pam Gardner, Sarah Laveglia, Kat Jouriles, Karen Kuhn, Kelly Williams, Adrienne Cook, Amy Bruzda, Hope Oleksik, Laurel Brown, Michele Dobnikar, Elizabeth Geffert, Liz Lavin, Angela Trager, Kate Hughes, Kristan Schoen, Sheelagh Stewart, Lauren Singley, Jen Douglas, and Meghan Nadzam.
Project NICU (2018-present): Pam Frasco, Heather Law, Rochelle DeOliveira, and the rest of your incredible team.
To all of my NICU patients and their families from 2001 to the present – due to HIPAA I cannot name any of you, but if you are reading this, please know I LOVE YOU and will carry you in my heart forever!
Last of all, to my four children Grace, Tommy, Gabby, and Claire, thank you for all of the joy, happiness, and love (and challenges!) you bring into my life on a daily basis. Thanks also for being patient and understanding all of the times I have had to work late, missed your events and special occasions to take care of other people’s babies, been super stressed, and have been too tired and cranky post-call to function and be a good mom. I love all of you to the moon and back!
