2022  •  Developmental Observer •  9  

World NIDCAP Day

20
22

Jennifer Degl, MS
Family Representative - NFI Board Member

DOI:	10.14434/DO.V15I2.34369

Happy 20th Anniversary to the NFI! 
We sure know how to celebrate as 
can be seen by the multitude of 

events hosted by our members through-
out the month of March in concert with 
our 3rd annual World NIDCAP Day. 

March 20th was exceptional this year. 
So many of our members celebrated World 
NIDCAP Day in their hospitals with 
activities, parties and some even made spe-
cially designed NIDCAP themed cookies. 
Several bridges and buildings across the 
globe were glowing in teal to help us spread 
awareness about the NIDCAP practice so 
that we can continue to share it with more 
hospitals, babies, and families. 

One event that we are especially 
proud of is our first ever World NIDCAP 
Day Virtual Gala. It was no small feat to 
pull off such an event. Many members 
of the NFI Advancement Committee 
and others worked tirelessly to plan each 
portion of the gala. One member of the 

gala planning team that deserves spe-
cial recognition is Sandra Kosta. Sandra 
seemed to work around the clock to make 
sure the event went off without a hitch 
and it worked. There were many presen-
tations from several NFI members from 
all over the globe. The compelling stories 
from Africa and Japan conveyed the true 
meaning of NIDCAP while reminding 
us all that the NIDCAP practice is truly a 
global one. Our family presentation was 
also quite beautiful. Latoshia Rouse’s fam-
ily story was a true gem. Hearing her story 
while seeing her beautiful children play in 
the background shows us how important 
the NIDCAP practice is and the impact it 
makes on babies and families. 

Our gala was full of prizes as well. 
Attendees were invited to bid on several 
different gift packages, including books 
authored by our members, developmen-
tal care tools such as the Zaky, and one-
on-one conversations with our NIDCAP 
experts including, Drs. Heidelise Als, 

Jane Holmes Bernstein, Nikk Conneman, 
and Graciela Basso. The lucky winners 
have been notified. 

Let’s not forget to mention the 
inauguration of the newly opened Lund-
Malmö NIDCAP Training and Research 
Center in Sweden that occurred during 
the Swedish Conference on Ultra-Early 
Intervention. This event was March 24, 
2022, and many of our own NFI mem-
bers gave presentations including Dr. 
Heidelise Als, Dr. Deborah Buehler, and 
more. We are so happy to have yet anoth-
er training center open.

Thank you to each and every one of 
you who attended an event or shared it 
with your colleagues, donated your hard-
earned money, celebrated in your hospi-
tal, or just wore teal to help us spread the 
word about NIDCAP during the month 
of March. We are thankful for you!

Is it too early to start World  
NIDCAP Day 2023?

Mid-Hudson Bridge, New York lit up in Teal

“The compelling 
stories from 
Africa and Japan 
conveyed the true 
meaning of NIDCAP 
while reminding us 
all that the NIDCAP 
practice is truly a 
global one.”