Neonatology Graduate Seeks Health Equity for Newborns

The daughter of two nurses, Nicole Brady has long held a passion for nursing. She considered the field of pediatrics, to follow in her father’s footsteps, but she says her path became clear when she discovered NICU. 

Brady was working as a NICU nurse when she met Desi Newberry, Associate Professor and Director of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Major at Duke University School of Nursing, who encouraged her to pursue her NNP degree. After enrolling at Duke, Brady worked with Dr. Newberry on research projects related to health equity for newborns, contributing to a manuscript entitled "Comparison of Pulmonary Maturation Differences Among Black and White Infants: A Scoping Review," which is currently under consideration for publication.

“I was immediately impressed with the large-scale effect that this research would have in the field of neonatology,” said Brady. “I am hoping that this research will allow for deep reflection on our current biases in neonatology and will help to change our practice.”

At the Florida Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (FANNP) annual conference in October 2024, Brady presented a poster, “Comparison of Pulmonary Maturation Differences among Black and White Infants and Associated Incidence of RDS/BPD,” alongside fellow School of Nursing students Nikki Briskin, Brittany Graham, and Hanna Leonard.

Having obtained her NNP in December 2024, Brady plans to commit her career to working towards comparable healthcare for neonates at any given hospital, including outlying hospitals and smaller community hospitals.

“I feel strongly that all neonates deserve the best chance for survival and successful stabilization, regardless of where they are born and where their parents live,” said Brady. “I feel called to this path.”