The Neonatal Outreach Team
November 2025
The Neonatal Outreach Team
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Nashville
,
TN
United States
Mary Lee Lemley, RNC, MSN, Manager Neonatal Outreach
Katie Judd, RN, MSN, CCRN, Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
Meghan Arms, RN, MSN, RNC-NIC, Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
Jillian Brown, MHA, Associate Program Manager
Katie Judd, RN, MSN, CCRN, Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
Meghan Arms, RN, MSN, RNC-NIC, Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
Jillian Brown, MHA, Associate Program Manager
The Neonatal Outreach Team has demonstrated unwavering dedication to systems change advocacy, revolutionizing neonatal emergency care to ensure that the smallest and most vulnerable patients have a greater chance of survival. By identifying critical gaps and inequities in neonatal care provided by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), this team has implemented innovative solutions that are transforming emergency response protocols and improving outcomes for newborns across the region.
Recognizing the absence of essential neonatal supplies, such as uncuffed endotracheal tubes, small face masks, and Neo Tee Resuscitators, on EMS vehicles, along with the use of pediatric rather than neonatal-specific algorithms, the Outreach Team spearheaded a multifaceted advocacy campaign to address these issues. Their efforts resulted in policy changes mandating the inclusion of neonatal-specific supplies and protocols on ambulances, ensuring that EMS responders are equipped to deliver optimal care during neonatal emergencies.
Beyond equipment upgrades, the team identified the need for specialized training to prepare EMS professionals for neonatal emergencies. Collaborating with key stakeholders, including the State EMS Board, State EMS Clinical Issues Committee, and the State Perinatal Committee, the Neonatal Outreach Team successfully advocated for the integration of Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification into EMS training curricula. Today, four regional EMS programs require NRP certification for graduation, ensuring that future EMS professionals possess the advanced skills necessary to care for neonates effectively.
To expand access to training statewide, the team worked with the Tennessee Department of Health and TennCare to secure funding for NRP Online Education, covering the $55 trainee fee and eliminating financial barriers for EMS staff. These efforts are particularly impactful in Tennessee's 54 Maternal Desert counties, where EMS personnel often serve as the sole providers of maternal and neonatal care. With 19,000 EMS staff serving these underserved areas, the team's initiative is vital in bridging healthcare gaps and improving outcomes for families.
The Neonatal Emergency Simulation training prepares EMS responders for high-intensity, low-frequency emergencies. These simulations replicate real-world scenarios, enabling EMS professionals to practice critical decision-making, procedural accuracy, and teamwork in a controlled environment. This hands-on approach enhances preparedness, improves emergency response times, and ultimately saves lives.
Through meaningful engagement with EMS professionals and educators via workshops, feedback sessions, and collaborative partnerships, the Neonatal Outreach Team has empowered frontline responders to deliver life-saving care to newborns. Their work addresses alarming disparities in neonatal healthcare in our state and ensures equitable access to emergency services for all communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
The Neonatal Outreach Team's advocacy, innovation, and collaboration have transformed emergency neonatal care systems in Tennessee, improving survival rates for newborns and reducing long-term health complications. Their efforts exemplify the power of teamwork, dedication, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every newborn has the greatest chance of survival, regardless of geographic location.
Recognizing the absence of essential neonatal supplies, such as uncuffed endotracheal tubes, small face masks, and Neo Tee Resuscitators, on EMS vehicles, along with the use of pediatric rather than neonatal-specific algorithms, the Outreach Team spearheaded a multifaceted advocacy campaign to address these issues. Their efforts resulted in policy changes mandating the inclusion of neonatal-specific supplies and protocols on ambulances, ensuring that EMS responders are equipped to deliver optimal care during neonatal emergencies.
Beyond equipment upgrades, the team identified the need for specialized training to prepare EMS professionals for neonatal emergencies. Collaborating with key stakeholders, including the State EMS Board, State EMS Clinical Issues Committee, and the State Perinatal Committee, the Neonatal Outreach Team successfully advocated for the integration of Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification into EMS training curricula. Today, four regional EMS programs require NRP certification for graduation, ensuring that future EMS professionals possess the advanced skills necessary to care for neonates effectively.
To expand access to training statewide, the team worked with the Tennessee Department of Health and TennCare to secure funding for NRP Online Education, covering the $55 trainee fee and eliminating financial barriers for EMS staff. These efforts are particularly impactful in Tennessee's 54 Maternal Desert counties, where EMS personnel often serve as the sole providers of maternal and neonatal care. With 19,000 EMS staff serving these underserved areas, the team's initiative is vital in bridging healthcare gaps and improving outcomes for families.
The Neonatal Emergency Simulation training prepares EMS responders for high-intensity, low-frequency emergencies. These simulations replicate real-world scenarios, enabling EMS professionals to practice critical decision-making, procedural accuracy, and teamwork in a controlled environment. This hands-on approach enhances preparedness, improves emergency response times, and ultimately saves lives.
Through meaningful engagement with EMS professionals and educators via workshops, feedback sessions, and collaborative partnerships, the Neonatal Outreach Team has empowered frontline responders to deliver life-saving care to newborns. Their work addresses alarming disparities in neonatal healthcare in our state and ensures equitable access to emergency services for all communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
The Neonatal Outreach Team's advocacy, innovation, and collaboration have transformed emergency neonatal care systems in Tennessee, improving survival rates for newborns and reducing long-term health complications. Their efforts exemplify the power of teamwork, dedication, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every newborn has the greatest chance of survival, regardless of geographic location.