Members of the BWH Pediatric Newborn Medicine leadership team from left to right: Steven Ringer, MD, PhD; Richard Parad, MD, MPH; Terrie Inder, MD, MBChB; Linda J. Van Marter, MD, MPH; Lianne Woodward, PhD; Paul Lerou, MD; and Lise Johnson, MD. Missing from photo is Richard Wilker, MD.

The Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine at BWH has developed a new organizational structure that will help enhance its position as a national leader in neonatal care, research and education.

“This new structure gives us an important opportunity to both grow and improve in terms of teaching, training and research,” said Terrie Inder, MD, MBChB, chair, BWH Pediatric Newborn Medicine. “Our team is extremely talented and passionate about improving the quality of care for our babies.”

She added that the re-structuring is in line with the recent transition of the Division of Newborn Medicine to the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine and will allow for the department to have more diverse representation across a number of BWH committees and boards.

Leading the Team

Implemented July 1, the new structure involves the promotion of several key leadership team members:

Lise Johnson, MD, serves as chief of the Division of Newborn Pediatricians; Paul Lerou, MD, is medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Richard Parad, MD, MPH, serves as co-director of Research; Steven Ringer, MD, PhD, leads Newborn Care in Labor and Delivery; Linda J. Van Marter, MD, MPH, is vice chair of the department; Richard Wilker, MD, continues his role as chief of Neonatology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital; and Lianne Woodward, PhD, is director of Infant and Child Development.

“These people are exceptional in their roles and very passionate about their work,” said Inder.

Structure Benefits Patients, Families

The new structure for the department was developed after analyzing other effective leadership teams at BWH, as well as by gathering information from within the department during two retreats and dozens of one-on-one interviews and group discussions, all of which took place over the last year.

Inder said the new structure, which will enable parents and families to be more involved in their infants’ care, will also benefit the department as it undergoes a renovation that includes redesigning and expanding the unit to create a more nurturing, quiet environment for babies and their families. The renovation, expected to be partially completed by March 2016, will feature 46 new private patient rooms and 20 semi-private rooms to accommodate multiple births.

“Our NICU patients’ stay on average is much longer than any other patient in the entire hospital, so giving a family who may be spending a couple of months here the capacity to have sunshine, fresh air and bright light can lift those days that can sometimes be stressful, “ said Inder. “We’ll also be able to better empower families.”