Clinical Interests:  Interdisciplinary, family-focused neonatal intensive care and investigation of targeting newborn respiratory support

Scholarly Focus:  Dr. Hedstrom’s research has focused on clinical research and the implementation of care for small and sick newborns in resource limited settings globally. In particular, she researches ways to provide safe, ethically sound and scientifically supported continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for newborns. In addition, she designed and oversees a novel data collection process in a rural Ugandan NICU with which outcomes can be assessed real-time. Recent research focused on the use of a respiratory severity score as a tool to predict increased respiratory support and CPAP failure after birth.

Research Funding:

2012-Present “  For International Travel to Uganda. I provide annual nursing and physician educational updates on neonatal topics, assist in design of unit protocols for care delivery and data collection and support the implementation of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and oxygen blending” in the Kiwoko Hospital NICU. Adara Development. Total Award: ~$2,500 annually

2019-2021            Validation and Feasibility Study of a Low-Cost Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Kit and Oxygen Blender for Neonates.  US Agency for International Development. Role: PI, Total Award: $250,000

2019-2024            Mobile WACh NEO: Mobile Solutions for Neonatal Health and Maternal Support. NICHD RO1. Role: co-investigator. Total award: $2,900,000

Administration/Education Roles:  Dr. Hedstrom is the Associate Medical Director of the neonatal unit at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. Her teaching includes medical students, residents, neonatology fellows, nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital as well as instructing providers in the community and abroad in neonatal care and resuscitation.