From Personal Pain to Global Change: Dr. Yamile Jackson's Story

In this episode of Care OUTLOUD, our host welcomes Dr. Yamile Jackson, a pioneer in trauma-informed care and family-integrated practices. Dr. Jackson shares her journey from Colombia, where kangaroo care originated, to becoming an indomitable advocate for infant neuroprotective care through her work with ergonomics and safety engineering. Highlighting her lived experience as a NICU parent, Dr. Jackson discusses the development of the Zaky, an innovative tool designed to simulate human touch and enhance infant care. She underscores the importance of kangaroo care and trauma-informed practices in neonatal intensive care units, advocating for parent-infant bonding and compassionate care. The conversation also touches on her recognition by Oprah Winfrey and involvement with the Gates Foundation, reflecting the widespread impact of her work. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Yamile Jackson 01:46 Dr. Jackson's Early Life and Education 02:25 The Birth of Zachary and NICU Challenges 06:07 Innovations in Infant Care 09:50 Recognition and Media Attention 12:40 Meeting Oprah and Media Verification 17:32 Advocacy for Kangaroo Care 25:59 Parental Fears and Kangaroo Care 26:59 Understanding and Addressing Parental Concerns 27:51 The Importance of Kangaroo Care 29:39 Challenges in Implementing Kangaroo Care 32:57 Innovations and Solutions for Kangaroo Care 39:51 Empirical Evidence and Personal Experiences 45:13 Advocacy and Personal Commitment 48:34 Final Thoughts and Appreciation Links:  The Zaky website: www.thezaky.com Our story, Oprah’s video, and movie inspired on Zach: https://thezaky.com/pages/our_promise Kangaroo Care Day (May 15) website: www.kangaroo.care Info for clinicians:  https://thezaky.com/pages/thezakylinks Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yamilejackson/   Follow us! IG, Facebook, Pinterest: @TheZaky @kangaroocareday