2025  •  Developmental Observer •  3  

In this issue, we feature articles that 
explore NIDCAP training across diverse 

settings. Dalia Silbertstein shares her 
reflections on the NIDCAP Advanced 
Practicum (AP) in Spanish and English, 
challenging us to consider new perspec-
tives on training approaches. Hannah Dal-
rymple offers insights from the viewpoint 

of a medical practitioner during her AP, guiding us through the 
challenges and triumphs of her experience. Jeffery Alberts chal-
lenges us to consider the hot topic of Delirium in the NICU.

Angela Gregoraci contributes a thoughtful piece on imple-
menting broader aspects of individualised developmental care 
based on the NIDCAP model. She highlights various strategies 
to support parents and staff, enriching our understanding of 
how this model can be applied. Oleksandra Balyasna, a mother 
from Ukraine, shares her journey and recommendations for 
supporting parents.

Continuing our ongoing feature introducing NFI members, 
this issue profiles Julia Giesen. Alongside the profile, we are  

privileged to share Julia’s evocative poetry inspired by her expe-
rience with the Assessment of Preterm Infant Behaviour (APIB).

We also take a moment to say farewell and express deep 
gratitude to gretchen Lawhon, who is stepping down from the 
editorial team. gretchen has been a foundational member of 
the Developmental Observer since its launch in 2007. Her ded-
ication and contributions have been extraordinary. Thank you, 
gretchen, for your enduring commitment and wisdom.

We welcome Livia Nagy-Bonnard to the editorial team as 
the Family Voices column co-editor. Livia brings a wealth of 
experience and a strong commitment to family-centred care.

As always, I welcome suggestions for features, content,  
and potential reviewers. Please don’t hesitate to contact me— 
I would love to hear from you.

Kaye Spence AM FACNN
Senior Editor – Developmental Observer, Adjunct Associate Professor  
Australasian NIDCAP Training Centre/ University of Western Sydney 

Editorial DOI: 10.14434/do.v18i2.41636

New Voices, Lasting Legacies

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.

Lívia Nagy-Bonnard, is Founder and Vice-President 
of the Melletted a Helyem Egyesület association for 
preterm babies in Hungary. Livia is a patient expert for the 
European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation, 
a member of the Global Foundation for Care of Newborn 
Infants, and a member of the Parent Advisory Board and 
is a member of the Family Advisory Council of the NFI.

María López Maestro, MD, 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, OTR/L, 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, has a degree in developmental 
psychology and is a NIDCAP Master and APIB Master 
Trainer 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, BA, 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