Appointment of New Medical Director at Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville NICU

Introduction

Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville has announced the appointment of Dr. Diane Attardi, a pediatric neonatologist from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, as the medical director of its Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and nursery. The NICU cares for over 200 infants annually.

Professional Background and Contributions

• Dr. Attardi has extensive experience as a neonatologist and NICU medical director across the Northeast.
• She is committed to advancing infant nutrition by promoting breast milk as the optimal nourishment for newborns.
• Instrumental in establishing the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee Milk Drop Depot at Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville, which supplies safe, pasteurized donor human milk to vulnerable infants.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Dr. Attardi’s leadership enhances neonatal care quality, improving survival and health outcomes for newborns.
   • Promotion of breast milk supports infant nutrition and reduces infant mortality.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Dr. Attardi mentors medical students, pediatric residents, and neonatology fellows, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt exemplifies effective partnerships to improve healthcare delivery.

Qualifications and Affiliations

• Member and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Board certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics.
• Published author in neonatology journals and active mentor in medical education.
• Educational background includes:
  • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
  • Medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Pediatric residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia.
  • Neonatal-perinatal fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Ongoing Neonatal Care Services and Collaboration

Neonatology and newborn nursery services at Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville are provided by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt neonatologists have supported Tennova’s NICU since 1996, enhancing care quality through sustained collaboration.

Further Information

For more details about Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville’s Level II NICU and its partnership with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Pediatrics’ Neonatology Division, please visit: www.tennovaclarksville.com/neonatal-intensive-care.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on neonatal healthcare, specifically the care of newborns in a Level II NICU, which directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
   • Promotion of breast milk as the best nutrition for babies and the establishment of a milk bank supports child health and nutrition.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Promotion of breast milk and donor human milk addresses nutrition and food security for vulnerable infants, contributing to ending hunger and improving nutrition.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article mentions mentorship and education of medical students, pediatric residents, and fellows, which aligns with ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Neonatal mortality rate: Implied through the focus on NICU care and efforts to improve newborn health.
   • Coverage of essential health services: Implied by the provision of specialized neonatal care and collaboration between hospitals.
   • Proportion of newborns receiving breast milk or donor human milk: Implied by the promotion of breast milk and establishment of the Mothers’ Milk Bank Milk Drop Depot.
2. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5: Implied through the emphasis on nutrition via breast milk and donor milk.
   • Availability and use of safe donor human milk: Implied indicator related to the milk bank services.
3. For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Number of medical students, residents, and fellows trained and mentored: Implied through the article’s mention of mentorship and education activities.
   • Quality of medical education and training programs: Implied by board certifications and published research contributions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: news.vumc.org