#395 - How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Neonatal Care?

Hello Friends 👋

This recording captures the AI panel discussion from the 2026 Delphi Neonatal Innovation Conference, held live on Monday afternoon. Dr. Jim Barry (University of Colorado), Dr. Thao Ho (UCSF), Lindsey Knake (University of Iowa), Selva Selvaraj (Nicklaus Children's Health System), and Dr. Ryan McAdams (University of Wisconsin-Madison) discuss where AI stands in the NICU today.

The panelists cover predictive models for sepsis and NEC, AI documentation tools, and the gap between research prototypes and clinical implementation. They address challenges with generalizability across different units, ethical considerations, parent-facing AI applications, and what might be standard practice in ten years. If you're trying to figure out what's actually working versus what's still theoretical, this conversation covers the current state of play.

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Short Bios

Dr. Ryan McAdams: Dr. Ryan McAdams is the former Chief of the Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a co-founder of NeoMIND-AI, where he leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize neonatal clinical care. A member of the Division of Global Health, his research focuses on improving neurodevelopmental outcomes, perinatal health equity, and virtual reality simulation models. Dr. McAdams earned his MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his Neonatal-Perinatal fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center. His extensive career includes serving as a neonatologist for the U.S. Air Force in Japan and conducting humanitarian global health work across Peru, Mongolia, Cambodia, Zambia, Malawi, and Uganda 

Dr. Lindsey Knake: Dr. Lindsey Knake is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics-Neonatology at the University of Iowa, where she also serves as the Associate Chief Medical Information Officer. Leveraging her background in biomedical engineering and a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Knake specializes in bridging the gap between clinical care and technology. Her professional focus includes both operational and research-driven initiatives aimed at optimizing electronic health records to improve patient outcomes and enhance clinician satisfaction. Dr. Knake completed her medical degree at the Carver College of Medicine, her pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and her Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Dr. Jim Barry: Dr. Jim Barry is a Professor of Pediatrics-Neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Medical Director of the University of Colorado Hospital NICU. A leader in clinical innovation, he is the co-founder of NeoMIND-AI, a collaborative dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence to personalize and enhance neonatal care. Dr. Barry holds an MD from Creighton University, an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver, and a BS from Montana State University. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Michigan and his Neonatal-Perinatal fellowship at the University of Colorado. His award-winning work focuses on improving outcomes for high-risk infants through AI-driven clinical decision support and medical education.

Selva Selvaraj: Selva Selvaraj is the Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics at Nicklaus Children's Health System. His role involves leading a team focused on improving the organization's data infrastructure and innovation. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare, finance, and IT, he uses AI and cognitive technologies to create standardized data models and architectures for better efficiency.He earned an MBA in Finance and Management Science from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Engineering from Anna University.

Dr. Thao Ho: Dr. Thao Ho joined USF in 2016 as a neonatologist in the Morsani College of Medicine Pediatrics Department, Neonatology Division. Her research interest is aimed at examining the effects of anemia and oral iron supplementation on intestinal microbiome, inflammation and barriers in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants. Her findings will improve clinical management of anemia and optimize oral iron supplementation to give VLBW infants the most benefits and least harms