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Neonatology

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  • Refer a Patient
  • Resource handbook for NICU families

What is neonatology?

The University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Neonatology team cares for premature and high-risk infants with complex medical and surgical conditions, in our state-of-the-art neonatal intensive Care Unit (NICU). Many of our patients are the sickest patients in Iowa and the Midwest.

Our team of highly specialized maternal and fetal medicine doctors provide the highest level of care for the mothers of these patients, setting up our patients for the best possible postnatal outcome. Our dedicated neonatal and pediatric specialty teams, including our neonatal surgery specialists, work together to provide quality and comprehensive care to help the tiniest and sickest babies grow and thrive.

We're home to Iowa's only nationally ranked Level 4 NICU—the highest level recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This means our NICU is equipped to care for the tiniest and most critically ill babies and offers the greatest range of neonatal services and support. One of the most unique aspects of our program is that, unlike most NICUs in the country, we have specialty teams (neonatal hemodynamics, lung rehabilitation, and neurocritical care), which provide expert consultative support to the care of these high-risk patients.

We are the only NICU in the US which has this combination of specialty programs, allowing us to take care of patients with the following conditions:

  • Extreme prematurity
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Vein of Galen malformation
  • Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
  • Surgical problems such as trachesophageal fistula, gastroschisis and/or omphalocoele.  

World-class care for our tiniest patients

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 10 mothers do not carry their pregnancies to full term (37 or more weeks). This leads to 100,000 babies being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) each year.

We have the highest survival rate for extremely preterm infants (as early as 22 weeks) in North America, placing us among the top neonatal intensive care providers anywhere.

Our specially trained doctors, surgeons, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers, pharmacists, lab technicians, physical therapists, and others—all with expertise in neonatology—work together as a comprehensive care team to provide high-quality, advanced care.

Multidisciplinary Care of Extremely Preterm Infants

The Iowa difference in neonatal care

With a dedicated research team that includes all major areas of health care, our neonatology department is leading the way in advanced care for premature babies through improved technologies and innovative treatments.

This includes:

  • Neonatal hemodynamics: Our neonatal hemodynamics program is the largest, most advanced program of its kind in the world. Neonatal hemodynamics is an ultrasound technology that provides critical insight on the relationship between the heart and the brain in premature infants, helping our neonatologists provide the most accurate care possible. Neonatal hemodynamic specialists at Iowa are at the forefront of innovation and scientific discovery, guide the development of training in hemodynamics and lead the establishment of consensus guidelines for common neonatal hemodynamic problems such as patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and heart dysfunction. Our program is the state referral center for interventional closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. We are a high-volume center and are actively involved in research to further enhance the postprocedural care of these babies. 

  • Neonatal neurocritical care: We are home to Iowa's only neonatal neurocritical care program, which provides specialty and ongoing neurological care for babies born with or at risk for neurological disease or damage, or a brain injury. Our doctors have expertise in advanced brain monitoring using bedside EEG, MRI imaging, and novel brain therapies. We are the highest-volume center in Iowa, which performs “brain cooling” to decrease brain injury. The expertise our team provides can have a lasting impact on your child’s growth and development, which is why we invest in the services and support they need to reach their fullest potential.   

  • Neonatal lung rehabilitation: Neonatologists with advanced training in lung care provide expert consultative advice on the most challenging patients with severe lung disease. Oftentimes, these patients are born extremely premature and have severe lung injury. Using advanced ventilator strategies and novel lung treatments, many of these patients experience dramatic improvement in lung outcomes. 

  • Neonatal transport: Our dedicated neonatal transport team is equipped to provide advanced neonatal care during transport to our hospital. Staffed by pediatric specialty care experts, our AirCare team has the skills, knowledge, and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the highest levels of safety and care during transport.  

Our Services

NIC nurse with neonate

Neonatal Hemodynamics

The Neonatal Hemodynamics team at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital has undergone additional specialized fellowship training in advanced heart imaging (cardiac echocardiography) and physiology. Hemodynamics specialists assist the neonatology team in providing personalized and targeted care to medically complex patients in the NICU.
Neonatal Neurocritical Care using kangaroo care

Neonatal Neurocritical Care

The neonatal neurocritical care team at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital provides coordinated, specialized care for infants born with a neurological condition or who are at risk for neurological disease or injury.
Neonatal transport team on the helipad with an isolette on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Neonatal Transport

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital transport team specializes in the stabilization and safe transfer of the most critically ill neonates in the state. We provide the highest level of neonatal transport care available.
Multidisciplinary Care of Extremely Preterm Infants

Multidisciplinary Care of Extremely Preterm Infants

UI Health Care experts care for extremely preterm infants with complex medical and surgical conditions.
Tiniest Baby Registry

Tiniest Baby Registry

Neonatologists at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital have developed a worldwide web-based registry to collect data on the smallest surviving babies. Our goal is to provide this data to physicians and parents so the best medical decisions can be made when tiny babies are born.

Physicians and parents can submit or view data.
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program

Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program

The Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program is for children with congenital heart disease. The High-Risk Infant Follow-up Program and the Center for Disabilities and Development work together with the pediatric cardiology team for your child’s care.

A Neonatologist's Destiny

"Whenever anyone asks me why I am a neonatologist, I tell this story." Watch the video below to hear John Dagle, MD, PhD, talk about the moment that changed his life forever. 

“My name, Destany, really suits where I came from. It was my destiny to survive," Destany Schafer, Quincy, Illinois. “And it was my destiny to be a neonatologist," John Dagle, MD, PhD.

Our Care Team

Aunum Akhter, MD portrait

Aunum
Akhter
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Edward Bell, MD portrait

Edward
Bell
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Jennifer Bermick, MD portrait

Jennifer
Bermick
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
TJ Boly, DO portrait

TJ
Boly
DO

  • Neonatology
Tarah Colaizy, MD, MPH portrait

Tarah
Colaizy
MD, MPH

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
4.80 out of 5 (73 ratings)
John Dagle, MD, PhD portrait

John
Dagle
MD, PhD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Heidi M. Harmon, MD, MS portrait

Heidi M.
Harmon
MD, MS

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
4.66 out of 5 (42 ratings)
Rachael M. Hyland, MD portrait

Rachael M.
Hyland
MD

  • Neonatology
Lindsey A. Knake, MD, MS portrait

Lindsey A.
Knake
MD, MS

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Stephanie S. Lee, MD portrait

Stephanie S.
Lee
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Julie Lindower, MD, MPH portrait

Julie
Lindower
MD, MPH

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Patrick J. McNamara, MB, BCh portrait

Patrick J.
McNamara
MB, BCh

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Glenda Rabe, MD, MME portrait

Glenda
Rabe
MD, MME

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Adrianne Rahde Bischoff, MD portrait

Adrianne
Rahde Bischoff
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Danielle R. Rios, MD, MS portrait

Danielle R.
Rios
MD, MS

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Robert Roghair, MD portrait

Robert
Roghair
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Amy H. Stanford, MD portrait

Amy H.
Stanford
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Brady Thomas, MD portrait

Brady
Thomas
MD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Samuel Wong, DO, MS portrait

Samuel
Wong
DO, MS

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology

Lindsey Behrens, ARNP, CPNP-AC portrait

Lindsey
Behrens
ARNP, CPNP-AC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Stephanie Boes, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Stephanie
Boes
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Amy L. Bradley, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Amy L.
Bradley
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Kathryn Breitbach, ARNP portrait

Kathryn
Breitbach
ARNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
RC

Rebecca
Chuffo Davila
ARNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Darcy DeCoster, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Darcy
DeCoster
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Kara R. Dierikx, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Kara R.
Dierikx
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Rachel Dougherty, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Rachel
Dougherty
ARNP, CPNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Diane Eastman, ARNP portrait

Diane
Eastman
ARNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Shannon M. Edwards, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Shannon M.
Edwards
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Kerri Goers, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Kerri
Goers
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Megan Heesch, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Megan
Heesch
ARNP, CPNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Denise L. Holida, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Denise L.
Holida
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Jade Kalmes, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Jade
Kalmes
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Lisa Koonce, ARNP, DNP, NNP-BC portrait

Lisa
Koonce
ARNP, DNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
KL

Kate
Lothamer
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Jenna Marlow, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Jenna
Marlow
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Tracy McNutt, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Tracy
McNutt
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
KM

Keatyn
McVietty
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Tami Miller, DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Tami
Miller
DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Kayla M. Nau, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Kayla M.
Nau
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Cassandra Palasiewicz, DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Cassandra
Palasiewicz
DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Gail Reynolds, DNP, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Gail
Reynolds
DNP, ARNP, CPNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Heidi A. Rossow, DNP, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Heidi A.
Rossow
DNP, ARNP, CPNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Katherine Ruppenkamp, ARNP portrait

Katherine
Ruppenkamp
ARNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Melissa Schnackenberg, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Melissa
Schnackenberg
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Neonatology
Brenda Shafer, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Brenda
Shafer
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Tracy Sheets, DNP, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Tracy
Sheets
DNP, ARNP, CPNP

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Brittney Smith, ARNP portrait

Brittney
Smith
ARNP

  • Neonatology
Cynthia Waters, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Cynthia
Waters
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology

Meghan Mentink, PharmD, BCPPS portrait

Meghan
Mentink
PharmD, BCPPS

  • Neonatology

Danielle Hitzel, MS, CCC/SLP portrait

Danielle
Hitzel
MS, CCC/SLP

  • Critical Care
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neonatology
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
  • Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  • Pulmonology

Lora Albert, BSN, IBCLC, RNC-NIC portrait

Lora
Albert
BSN, IBCLC, RNC-NIC

  • Neonatology
Tracy Thacker, RN, BSN, IBCLC portrait

Tracy
Thacker
RN, BSN, IBCLC

  • Neonatology

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners:

  • Gina Rottinghaus, ARNP, NNP-BC
  • Mary Pat Greteman, ARNP, NNP-BC
  • Kristy Newton, ARNP, NNP-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:

  • Nina Pletcher, DNP, ARNP, CPNP
Not sure which Neonatology provider is right for you?
We can help you find a provider who meets your needs.
Call 1-888-573-5437

Locations and Offices

Level 6: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Level 6
1-888-573-5437
Clinic
Graphic representing the Level 6 floor of UISFCH
In University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Patient Stories

UI Health Care treats Dyersville family’s wide range of specialty care issues all in one place
November 28, 2022
Academic medicine treats all conditions: from mom to baby, rare to common
Hall family from Dyersville, Iowa
UI doctors save baby with heart condition undetected in the womb
June 15, 2022
Being first time moms we were in shock to hear our baby had a heart condition. Dr. Law was amazing in explaining what TAPVR was, how they would fix it...
Kayla, Ashley, and Lawson Garrison dressed up for Halloween
Browse more stories

Related News


Browse More
Hemodynamic screening halves risk of death or severe brain bleed in very premature babies
July 19, 2023
Landmark research sets precedent for future of neonatal care
NICU baby neonatal hemodynamics
UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital ranks in US News & World Report 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospitals
June 21, 2023
Six UI Stead Family Children's Hospital specialties listed in 2023 - 24 U.S. News & World Report rankings of 'Best Children’s Hospitals'
US News and World Report for pediatric rankings 2023-2024

Educational Resources

Temperature: NICU Handbook
Pulmonary: NICU Handbook
Procedures: NICU Handbook
Pharmacology: NICU Handbook
Neurology: NICU Handbook
Metabolic: NICU Handbook
Jaundice: NICU Handbook
Infection: NICU Handbook
Hematology: NICU Handbook
General: NICU Handbook
Gastrointestinal: NICU Handbook
Fluid management: NICU Handbook
Feeding: NICU Handbook
Cardiology: NICU Handbook
Iowa Neonatology Handbook
Resource handbook for NICU families
What is Kangaroo Care?

Awards and Recognition

U.S. News & World Report - Neonatology
In 2023-24 our Neonatology program was ranked 21th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more

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