Many professionals work together to care for premature or sick babies. During your stay you may meet some or all of the
following:

• Neonatalogists (PDF)* - pediatricians that have special training in the care of premature and sick infants.
• Primary Nurse - the nurse who will most frequently take care of your baby, develop your baby’s nursing care plan and
  teach you how to care for your baby.
• Nurse Manager - a registered nurse who takes ultimate accountability for patients, families and the care they
  receive in the NICU.
• Dietician - a person who specializes in nutrition and will assess your baby’s nutritional status, growth and
  feedings.
• Lactation Consultant - a nurse who is trained to observe, assist and advise breastfeeding mothers.
• Occupational Therapist - a person with special training in infant development and concerns surrounding oral, motor
  and feeding skills.
• Physical Therapist - a person with special training in assessing and enhancing muscle tone and movement.
• Speech and Language Therapist - a person with special training in feeding skill issues like sucking and swallowing.
• Pharmacist - a person who prepares medications for your baby and provides information about medications to parents
  and staff.
• Social Worker - the person who will help you with non-medical issues, such as where to stay, insurance and
  transportation; also provides emotional support.
• Respiratory Therapist - a person who specializes in caring for babies who need oxygen or any other help with
  breathing.
• Unit Secretary - a person who helps answer the phones and supports the nurses in unit activities.
• Touch Therapist - a person who educates parents and caregivers about touching and massaging babies during their
  hospital stay.

Other commonly seen specialty doctors:

• Cardiologist - specializes in heart conditions
  
• Neurologist - specializes in conditions related to the brain and nervous system
  
• Nephrologist - specializes in kidney diseases and dialysis
  
• Gastroenterologist - specializes in conditions related to the intestinal tract
  
• Endocrinologist - specializes in gland and hormonal issues
  
• Ophthalmologist - specializes in eye health