Local leaders and renowned physicians joined together in Miami to share research and discuss many topics around early childhood development including how to improve the outcomes of NICU babies. Miami Dade Head Start/Early Head Start and the Reach Out and Read Program hosted the Health Summit on Advancing Early Relational Health. ICU baby staff attended the event which featured presentations by Dr. Ryan Christopher Padrez and Dr. Lee Sanders from Stanford University’s Department of Pediatrics, focusing on the science of early brain development and the critical importance of early interactions between babies and their parents.

Panels discussed strategies to help children thrive and address developmental challenges in underserved communities. Attendees, including leaders and scholars from organizations like Healthy Start, Head Start, and The Children’s Movement, also enjoyed a wellness break with mindfulness meditation and a sound bath provided by Rooted in Love and Truth, a partner of the Children’s Bereavement Center. ICU baby values the importance of continuous education in order to improve the programming we provide and thus the outcomes of our families in the NICU