4  •  2022  •  Developmental Observer

This issue of the Developmental Observer 
launches the move from a newsletter 

to the official publication of the NIDCAP 
Federation International. We have a fresh 
look and have introduced some new ideas 
as we increase to three issues each year 
– February, June and October. With this 
expansion we would like to receive stories 

and articles from the membership. You can submit in any language, 
or work with the editorial team if English is not your first language.

We are challenged each year to meet virtually, yet the content 
of the NIDCAP Trainers Meeting goes from strength to  
strength. In this issue we see a global contribution from Japan, 
Italy, Israel, Canada, Sweden, India, USA, Ireland, and France. 
These perspectives, research and practices all support the  
NIDCAP approach to care of the Newborn and their families. 
The abstracts contribute to the body of evidence for NIDCAP, 
and we have included the Journal Club summaries for the  
first time. 

Magdalena Persson Pettersen and André Persson from 
Sweden share their beautiful story of Benjamin’s start in life with 
couplet care and all the benefits of this sensitive approach in 
avoiding separation. We hear about Trauma Informed Care and 
the road to self-discovery from Kristy Fuller and her team. Our 
regular features take us to Ireland to learn about developmental 
care and Jeff Alberts challenges us from the Science Desk.

It is always a pleasure to hear about the fantastic achieve-
ments from the membership and this issue we congratulate 
Pierre Kuhn on his award. We also have a sad farewell to John 
Buehler who was a strong supporter of the NFI over the years.

Kaye Spence AM
Senior Editor – Developmental Observer 
Adjunct Associate Professor / Clinical Nurse Consultant 
Australasian NIDCAP Training Centre / Sydney Children’s 
Hospitals Network / Western Sydney University / Australia

DOI: 10.14434/do.v15i1.33774Editorial 

Jeffrey R. Alberts, PhD, is Professor of 
Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana 
University -- Bloomington (USA). Jeff is also a 
NIDCAP Professional and blends his lab studies with 
similar research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 
Medical Center.

gretchen Lawhon, PhD, is the Clinical Nurse 
Scientist with Newborn special care associates, at 
Abington Jefferson Health and a NIDCAP Master 
Trainer. gretchen has reviewed articles for peer 
reviewed journals. gretchen has extensive experience 
as a clinical nurse scientist and has authored 
numerous articles in her areas of expertise.

María López Maestro is a Neonatologist at the 
Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, and is a NIDCAP 
Trainer and Member of the National Committee for 
the implementation of Developmental Centered Care 
in Spain. Maria has 10 research works. 
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0545-6272.

Debra Paul is an occupational therapist and 
NIDCAP Professional at Children’s Hospital Colorado 
in Aurora, Colorado and the Column Editor for the 
Family Voices section for the Developmental Observer. 
Debra writes policies and guidelines which requires 
succinct writing and an eye for editing. 

Kaye Spence AM is a clinical nurse consultant and 
clinical researcher with numerous publications in peer 
reviewed journals and several book chapters and is a 
peer reviewer for eight professional journals. She is a 
past Editor of Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health 
Nursing. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1241-9303 

Diane Ballweg, MSN, is the Developmental 
Specialist at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, North 
Carolina, USA. Diane’s writing and editing experience 
also includes reviewing for several peer reviewed 
journals and authoring several journal publications 
and book chapters related to developmental care.

Deborah Buehler, PhD, is a developmental 
psychologist with expertise in developmental care 
within newborn and infant intensive care nurseries. 
Her work has focused on NIDCAP research, 
education and mentorship, and awareness. Deborah 
has authored and co-authored papers and manuals 
pertaining to NIDCAP care.

Sandra Kosta, PhD, NFI Executive Director of 
Administration and Finance, has been an Associate 
Editor for the Developmental Observer since 2007. 
As a Research Specialist at Boston Children’s 
Hospital, Sandra has co-authored several papers 
on the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of 
NIDCAP Care.

Editorial Board