Dr. Cohen is one of the most inspiring leaders at Salem Health. He’s not only a brilliant safety guru, his leadership also sets him apart, not to mention his humility. He recognizes the high potential our NICU can achieve and he pushes our team to exceed expectations.
He’s currently the neonatal medical director and section chief at Salem Hospital and the Neonatal medical director of Northwest Newborn. He is also a member of the Vermont Oxford Database Advisory Committee, the facilitator for several Vermont Oxford Network collaboratives, including Antibiotic Stewardship, Micro Preemie and Neonatal Abstinence.
If this wasn’t enough, he also sits on the Salem Hospital Medical Executive Committee, pharmacy and therapeutics committee, pediatric committee and is the lead physician for the NICU neurodevelopment follow up clinic. Howard is always well spoken and clear minded, and a calming voice to frightened parents. Every day, it’s common to hear families ask, “Where is Howard?” or say, “My baby wants Howard today.”
Many Salem Hospital programs have gained international attention from fellow NICUs around the world, thanks to Howard. The Family Integrated Care Program is a program we adopted from Sweden. Salem Hospital’s NICU spent a year testing basic concepts for family integrated care to include placing adult beds at baby’s bedside, implementing a “flight plan” to see baby progress and testing devices to place baby skin-to-skin.
We also implemented the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome support to mothers and their infants with his help. This family-centered approach helps infants withdraw from opiate exposure and has significantly decreased total length of stay and the need for opiate intervention when treating these infants.
Howard views each project not as an “invitation” but an “expectation” to do what is best for our NICU babies. He is an endless teacher, a wise leader, a book of knowledge, a mindful mentor, change agent, safety advocate, team spirit advocate and a running coach. Did I mention that he also runs and wins in his age group for several marathons throughout the year?
He has changed not only the lives of his patients, but the nursing team as well. Thank you Howard for teaching us all and for being you!