With nonstop advances in the digital and computer technologies over the years, our division has recognized that their enormous potential should be tapped for research, clinical, educational and training purposes. This has been addressed through the creation of a director position for Communications and Information Technology with protected faculty time. Martin Blahnik, MD assumed this role in 2002, and he provides technical and intellectual support for the faculty and fellows in the areas of communications and information technology.

An initial phase has been identified as fundamental to the larger objectives that have emerged from this new position within our division. This phase includes training and experience with computer graphics, web-authoring and a number of software applications. Thus, the construction, expansion and maintenance of a comprehensive website for the USC Division of Neonatal Medicine offer an excellent opportunity to gain the relevant technical expertise for further applications. The latter includes the utilization of digital formats to build, expand and webspace catalog the division's intellectual assets. These materials are being assembled by the Director and Neonatal Web Development Teams for use by a variety of people, including clinicians, academicians, researchers, trainees, NICU staff, ancillary staff, and parents. The division’s assets are resources, but a significant percentage of them will also be identified as appropriate for an Intellectual Database. This next phase will include the production of materials for the website, both the public aspect as well as the division’s INTRANET (username/password required), as well as materials and expertise that can be applied to neonatal research publications and neonatal grant applications.