NNETS (NeoNatal Essential Training and Skills)

BSN – University of Connecticut School of Nursing Jan says – “After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1982, I began my career as a nurse at UCONN Health/Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Also, during this time, I supported the nursing needs of a little boy who was vent-dependent and G-tube-fed in his home. Once a week, we would go to school so he could interact with his peers. I was with him for 4 years until he passed away at the age of 8. After 40 years of a rewarding career, I recently retired, although I have chosen to stay on as a per diem at UCONN NICU. A unique and rewarding experience was when I traveled to India with Dr. Hussain in 2017 to teach the “Helping Babies Breathe” program. I look forward to getting to know our “sisters” in Uganda in October. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga. I’ve been grateful to travel to Peru, Bali, Mexico, and the Grand Canyon on group yoga retreats. My husband and I are renovating a 1902 historical home in North Carolina. Other interests include hiking with my dog Marty, reading, gardening, and spending time with my family – my 3 children and 4 beautiful grandchildren.”

Director of NNETS Program; Director of Neonatal Research, Neonatologist, Connecticut Children’s; Professor of Pediatrics, UCONN School of Medicine.

Education: MBBS, DCH – Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, Pediatric Residency – University of Connecticut, Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship – University of Connecticut.

I have been an academic neonatologist at the University of Connecticut, USA, since 1994. I am the Global Health Education Director for the Connecticut Children’s Center for Global Health and a board member of the non-profit MERU (Medical Education Resources-Unlimited). I have been involved in Global Health-related activities since 2008.

Having trained as a physician in Hyderabad, India, and worked as a House Officer in the UK before migrating to the US, I have had the opportunity to work in various healthcare systems and practice in both high-resource and low-resource countries. Until recently, my global health activities were in India in partnership with the NICE Foundation in Hyderabad, Telangana. My work in Jamaica started in 2024 and is mainly focused on skill and capacity building for advanced neonatal care. My previous work was in improving neonatal care and neonatal workforce capacity building in India, Mauritius, and Uganda .

I love to travel and experience various countries, cultures and cuisines.

Physician Assistant at the Connecticut Children’s NICU at UCONN Health

Education: Physician Assistant, Bachelor of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology
Brian says: “I have been working as a Physician Assistant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Connecticut Health Center since 1999. During this time, I have had the opportunity to participate in many research projects and committees, such as antibiotic stewardship, pharmacy, and respiratory committee. In recent years, I have expanded my interest in electronic medical records (EMR) and worked extensively with a leadership team to develop neonatal-specific order sets and note templates to improve efficiency and safety for the patients in our unit. Additionally, I have been part of the neonatal transport team, which services the state of Connecticut. Also, for the past 25 years, I have been an instructor for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Beyond caring for the tiniest patients at our hospital, my interests include downhill skiing, outdoor adventures, traveling, and spending time with my wife and two children. Neonatal Nurses Essential Training and Skills (NNETS) program in Jamaica is my first global health initiative and I am very excited to be a part of this talented group.”

Current Position: Neonatal Nurse – UConn Health
Education: ADN, Capital Community College and BSN, University of Hartford
Megan says: “I was born in Jamaica and migrated to the United States at age 17. At the age of 20, I became a certified nursing assistant. I worked at skilled facilities and in-home care. On February 11, 2000, I accepted a nursing assistant position at UConn Health. In 2008, I transitioned my role to that of a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit. In 2015, I had the opportunity to visit the NICU and maternity wing in Italy during my study abroad program. This study program helped my team and I to compare the differences in the healthcare systems between each country. I have volunteered at men’s, women’s, and children’s shelters, teaching meditation and walking exercises and educating hypertensive and diabetic clients on healthier food choices. I am a mother of two sons and one grandson, both my sons graduated from the University of Connecticut. The youngest of the two is currently in graduate school at UConn School of Social Work. My philosophy in life is to “treat others the way you would like to be treated.”

Apart from helping others, traveling is also a passion of mine. I had the opportunity to visit Italy, Greece, London, Paris, St Thomas, Jamaica, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Barcelona, Spain. I am excited to be a part of the NNETS program.”

Current Position: Associate Professor, Westfield State University; Adjunct Faculty, University of Connecticut

Education: MS (Nursing) – University of Connecticut, DNP – University of Connecticut.

Joan says – “I’m thrilled to be part of the NNETS faculty! After my initial Baccalaureate education at the University of Vermont, I earned my M.S. in Neonatal/Perinatal Nursing at the University of Connecticut and then later my Doctorate in Nursing Practice there as well. I have worked clinically as a Surgical ICU Nurse, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. I have continued to work clinically while teaching. I teach all topics involved in perinatal care in the classroom and clinical settings along with research and transition to practice topics. I have embraced simulation as a teaching methodology as well. My research expertise is in lactation with late preterm infants and simulation pedagogy in nursing education. I have taught students abroad in S. Africa and Guatemala. I am a firm believer in supporting students in their education with active learning techniques, opportunities, and service learning while being realistic and approachable.

I live in Granby, CT where my husband, Scott and I have raised 5 children, the youngest being 21. Thank you for inviting me to assist in your learning journey! “

Current Position: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Instructor, S.T.A.B.L.E. Instructor.

Education: Undergraduate – Bellevue Nursing School, Perinatal Masters in Nursing – Columbia University. Neonatal Certification – New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center
Karen has been a registered nurse for 45 years and a neonatal nurse practitioner for 30 years.
She has worked in the NICU at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, Yale New Haven Hospital and Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, including five years as a member of the air transport team.
Training in the Helping Babies Breath program 15 years ago, seeded her aspiration to serve as an educator for maternal child health globally.

Mother of 6 adult children, Karen now has time for herb gardening and beekeeping, her favorite ways to rejuvenate!

Current Position: Coordinator, NNETS Program, Neonatal Nurse, UCONN Health.

Education: St. Francis College of Nursing, Hartford, Connecticut.

Kathy says – “I’ve been a NICU RN for 40 years at UConn Health. I love providing direct patient care. I retired from my staff position in October of 2021 but continue to work per diem. In 2009 I had the life changing opportunity to travel to Hyderabad India to help the nurses at the NICE Foundation. I returned five times after that first trip. It is such an amazing honor to meet, learn from, and work with nurses from different parts of the world. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the nurses in Uganda.

Recently, as a grandmother, I was able to watch the wonderful work done by neonatal nurses when my grandson was born premature at 34 weeks gestation and required a NICU stay. My happiest moments are spent with my 3 daughters and my 2 grandchildren.

Current Position: I am currently the lead in our clinical informatics office and oversee our clinical documentation specialists and clinical database. I am a part of our nursing leadership team

Education: Excelsior College| Albany, NY; Associate of Science in Nursing

Bio: Registered Nurse | NICU | UConn Health in partnership with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT.

I have experience in several aspects of nursing and started my nursing career in 1988. I have experience in surgical hospital nursing, long term care, home care and most recently the NICU. I started my career in the NICU in 2007 as a nurse at the bedside for 11 years before I became the Clinical System/ Informatics Analyst for the past 6 years. In my current role I formulate discharge summaries for the pediatricians in the communities that our babies care will be handed over to after discharge. I also oversee the database that houses decades of information on the babies that we have taken care of for the continuing push toward evolving and making the best decisions and improving patient care. It is rewarding work we do in the NICU!!