Launching into 2025: Community First

As we step into 2025, many of you have already noticed the major updates rolling out across our 99nicu forum. These improvements are designed to enhance usability and foster connections within our community. While we continue refining the platform, we also want to take a moment to appreciate the incredible projects of 2024. That’s why we’re revisiting this wrap-up—to celebrate the progress we’ve made together and set the stage for another impactful year ahead.

2024: It's a Wrap!

The Future of Neonatal Care: More Than Technology

Following the success of our previous conferences in Stockholm (2017), Vienna (2018), and Copenhagen (2019), our flagship event, "The 99nicu Meetup: The Future of Neonatal Care," made its return in the beautiful city of Lisbon, Portugal. After the long pause due to COVID, it was incredibly rewarding to once again facilitate face-to-face connections among our community members.

While cutting-edge technologies and AI-based innovations were certainly on display, we discovered something even more profound: the future of neonatal care isn't just about advancing technology—it's about strengthening our human connections. We were particularly touched by the blend of scientific excellence and genuine warmth exhibited by our attendees and speakers—brilliant researchers who are, above all, compassionate and engaging individuals.

Expanding Horizons: The APAN Webinar Series

November brought an exciting collaboration with the Adult Preemie Advocacy Network (APAN) as we launched "Adults Born Preterm: The Honesty Sessions." This five-part webinar series created a unique platform where experts, advocates, and individuals with lived experience came together to explore the lifelong impact of preterm birth. From advocacy and communication to lung health and personal insights, these sessions highlighted the connection between NICU care and long-term outcomes.

Digital Evolution: Finding Our True Home

2024 also marked a thoughtful evolution in how we connect with our community. We made the conscious decision to leave Twitter/X, choosing to focus our energy on platforms that better align with our core values of inclusivity, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. You can now find us on our moderated forums at 99nicu.org, our Mastodon server (the NICUVERSE), LinkedIn, and BlueSky—spaces where authentic professional connections can truly flourish.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on this year, we're grateful to every member of our community who has contributed to making 2024 a year of growth, learning, and fostering connections. We would also like to thank our collaborators, partners and supporters- you made many things possible. Together, we're building a stronger future of neonatal care—one that combines innovation with the irreplaceable human touch.