Last month, Texas Children’s Hospital stepped into the spotlight in a big way—collaborating with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to film their Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) 9th edition videos. These high-quality training videos, set for release in Fall 2025, will have a lasting impact on healthcare professionals worldwide, offering life-saving training to over 400,000 learners.
Texas Children’s expertise on the world stage
Texas Children’s was chosen to collaborate with the AAP on this prestigious project due to the extraordinary expertise of its neonatal response team. Dr. Nathan Sundgren, neonatologist and The Newborn Center’s program director for neonatal resuscitation education, shared why Texas Children’s was selected: “Our team has decades of experience saving newborns in high-risk situations. They know the NRP guidelines inside and out and teach them with precision.”
The shoot’s multi-disciplinary team of seasoned experts included Jennifer Gallegos, NNP; Regine Fortunov, MD; Delinda Castillo, RN; Shweta Parmekar, MD; Nicole Neveln, MD; Corrie Sledge, RN; Suzanne Iniguez, RT; and Vanessa Phillips, RN. “In addition to their superior clinical skills and their roles as NRP instructors, many are also experienced ‘actors,’ having appeared in previous training videos tailored to the NRP course we offer to local learners here,” said Dr. Sundgren.
A global impact on neonatal resuscitation training
Since its launch in 1987, NRP has been taught in over 130 countries and translated into 24 languages. Dr. Sundgren noted that NRP guidelines are determined through a rigorous international process that regularly informs new standards in neonatal resuscitation education and added: “The NRP is updated every five years, but this is the first time the videos have been produced by one team, at one time, ensuring they reflect the latest practices.”
The new videos will be integrated into both the digital and print versions of the NRP textbook via QR codes and will be available on the AAP’s NRP website. Healthcare professionals worldwide will use these resources to refresh their skills, ensuring that the best practices in neonatal resuscitation are consistently applied.
“We watch these videos every time we go through training,” Dr. Fortunov summarized. “They’ll be used throughout the world by the next generation of providers saving the lives of newborns.”
Behind the scenes: The making of high-quality training videos
Texas Children’s simulation center and team, including Vanessa Phillips and Systems Specialist Dan Feux, played a crucial role in the production of these videos. The facility is equipped with high-fidelity manikins and specialized simulation tools that allow our teams to replicate real-life scenarios with extraordinary accuracy.
“Our collaboration with the AAP involved professional videographers who have the expertise and equipment to elevate our teaching and educational storytelling,” Dr. Sundgren shared. “We’ve done well in our own videos with GoPro cameras and handycam setups, but this project will result in the highest quality NRP educational videos ever produced.”
Throughout the shoot, clinicians from the AAP and Texas Children’s ensured the procedures were captured with precision as team members demonstrated key neonatal resuscitation techniques. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our teamwork,” said Jennifer Gallegos. “A lot of us have been doing this work for so long that, even if we don’t know one another, we know how to communicate efficiently and effectively in simulated and real-life scenarios.”
The team’s dedication to excellence in neonatal care was evident as they worked together to ensure that every detail of the procedure was captured accurately for future learners.
Texas Children’s commitment to advancing neonatal care
Dr. Sundgren’s role as a member of the NRP Steering Committee has been integral in shaping the direction of neonatology and neonatal resuscitation education at Texas Children’s. “Being part of the Steering Committee allows me to work with an amazing group of passionate educators and neonatologists who want to make this program the best it can be, and to stay current on the latest science.” he said. “At Texas Children’s, we continually update our practices in conjunction with the new guidelines determined every five years. I’ve dedicated a whole video series on my YouTube channel called ‘Beyond Advanced’ to share and advance these ideas.”
Our participation in the creation of the NRP 9th edition videos is a testament to the expertise, dedication and teamwork that define Texas Children’s Hospital. We are proud to be part of an initiative that will have a lasting impact on neonatal care worldwide and contribute as leaders in the global effort to save lives. As new and seasoned healthcare professionals take part in NRP training, Texas Children’s role in shaping their education will continue to save lives and set new standards in neonatal resuscitation.
