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Neonatology

For all requests:
1-888-573-5437
  • Refer a Patient
  • Resource handbook for NICU families

What is neonatology?

The University of Iowa Health Care 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 omphalocele.  

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, advanced nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapist, nutritionists, social workers, pharmacists, lab technicians, specialized 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 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.
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.
Pediatric Aircare UI Health Care
Neonatal Transport
The 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.
Mom reading to baby
NICU Follow-up Clinics
Children that are born early (premature), require early surgery, or have serious illnesses around birth have special care needs as they transition home. Our clinic is here to help families and support primary care providers with these unique medical and developmental needs.
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
  • Department of Pediatrics
Tarah Colaizy, MD, MPH portrait

Tarah
Colaizy
MD, MPH

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
4.80 out of 5 (76 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)
Amy A. Hobson, DO portrait

Amy A.
Hobson
DO

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Rachael M. Hyland, MD portrait

Rachael M.
Hyland
MD

  • Neonatology
  • Department of Pediatrics
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
John (Jack) Wren, Jr., MD, PhD portrait

John (Jack)
Wren, Jr.
MD, PhD

  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
Allison M. Momany, PhD portrait

Allison M.
Momany
PhD

  • Psychology
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
Rebecca Chuffo Davila, ARNP portrait

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
Claire Goeke, DNP portrait

Claire
Goeke
DNP

  • 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
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
Tracy McNutt, ARNP, NNP-BC portrait

Tracy
McNutt
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
Lindsey R. Ricklefs, ARNP, DNP, NNP-BC portrait

Lindsey R.
Ricklefs
ARNP, DNP, NNP-BC

  • Neonatology
Heidi A. Rossow, DNP, ARNP, CPNP portrait

Heidi A.
Rossow
DNP, ARNP, CPNP

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

Jade
Runge
ARNP, NNP-BC

  • 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
MH

Megan
Harms
DMS, PA-C

  • 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
SH

Shelby
Hert
LMSW

  • Center for Disabilities and Development

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

Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program
8900 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
1-319-353-6880
Resource Office
Exterior image of UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center University
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Level 2: Pediatric Specialty Clinic
2800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Pediatric Public Elevators, Level 2
1-319-356-2229
Clinic
Pediatric Specialty Clinic Main Entrance
In Stead Family Children's Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Level 6: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Level 6
1-888-573-5437
Inpatient Unit
Graphic representing the Level 6 floor of UISFCH
In Stead Family Children's Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Center for Disabilities and Development Clinic
1-877-686-0031
Clinic
Center for Disabilities and Development main entrance
In Center for Disabilities and Development
100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242

Patient Stories

Meet Kid Captain Lukas Hazen
November 25, 2024
Lukas Hazen Kid Captain banner
Meet Kid Captain Nataleigh Mochal
November 4, 2024
With expert care at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Hudson Ferris overcame an aggressive cancer.
Nataleigh Mochal Kid Captain banner
Browse more stories

Related News


Browse More
Stead Family Children’s Hospital NICU is one of only two in U.S. to receive new AAP designation
March 17, 2025
Baby in UI Health Care's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Watch: 6-week-old baby ‘waves’ back to football fans from neonatal ICU
December 23, 2024
Tiny patient seems to take part in the Hawkeye Wave

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 2024-25 our Neonatology program was ranked 21th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Iowa’s Only Nationally Ranked Neonatology Program and Level 4 NICU.
Learn more
U.S. News & World Report - Neonatology
In 2024-25 our Neonatology program was ranked 21th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Iowa’s Only Nationally Ranked Neonatology Program and Level 4 NICU.
Learn more
Stead Family Children's Hospital

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States

1-888-573-5437
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