Event

Being My Child's Protector, Advocate, and Decision-Maker in the NICU

February 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET

Anticipating the birth of a child can be one of the happiest times for parents. But when babies have life-threatening medical issues and begin their lives in the NICU, everything can change. For some parents, this may mean navigating a new role: learning how to navigate the NICU and communicate with the medical team; figuring out what matters most to their baby and family; considering intense medical interventions, interpreting medical jargon; seeking clarity in the absence of a clear prognosis; building a trusting relationship with the baby’s medical team.

Join Dr. Monica Lemmon and several experienced NICU parents, for a discussion about strategies to build helpful parent-clinician alliance and parental confidence in decision-making for the newborn in the NICU.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 27th at 8:00 pm EST (7:00 pm CT, 6:00 pm MT, 5:00 pm PT).

Our Panel

Dr. Monica Lemmon - Pediatric Neurologist

Dr. Monica Lemmon is a child neurologist and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine who studies how parents and clinicians partner to make decisions for infants and children.

Ashley Ham - Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dear NICU Mama

Ashley Ham is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dear NICU Mama, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and community for mothers navigating the challenges of NICU parenthood. Ashley's journey began after her son was born at 28 weeks, immersing her into the isolating and emotional world of the NICU. Longing for a connection with others who truly understood, Ashley discovered the transformative power of peer support over a cup of coffee with another NICU mom. That single conversation sparked the vision for Dear NICU Mama, which she co-founded in 2019. Today, Ashley leads the organization with passion and purpose, ensuring no NICU mom has to walk this journey alone.