From Edmonton to the World: 153 Invited Talks, One Shared Goal

When I gave my first invited lecture in 2003, I never imagined that it would mark the beginning of a journey spanning more than two decades, 20 countries, four continents, and 153 invited presentations. Looking back, however, this journey has never really been about the number of talks or the miles travelled. It has always been about one thing: improving the care of newborn babies.

Over the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of speaking with clinicians, researchers, nurses, respiratory therapists, educators, parents, and trainees around the world. From Melbourne to Beijing, Graz to Boston, Karachi to Cape Town, and Edmonton to Rome, every meeting has reinforced the same message: although healthcare systems differ, our goal is universal— to give every newborn the best possible start to life.

These invitations have allowed me to share advances in neonatal resuscitation, delivery room stabilization, respiratory support, surfactant therapy, chest compressions, oxygen management, and the science behind improving outcomes for the smallest and sickest babies. Just as importantly, they have allowed me to learn from colleagues across the globe. Some of our best research ideas, international collaborations, and multicentre clinical trials began as conversations after a lecture, over coffee between sessions, or during lively audience discussions.

Today, many of these collaborations have grown into international research networks studying questions that no single hospital—or even one country—could answer alone. Whether it is the SURV1VE Trial, novel approaches to neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or improving respiratory care immediately after birth, progress depends on people working together across borders.

One of the greatest privileges of these travels has been meeting so many passionate healthcare professionals dedicated to newborn care. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to challenge current practice continue to inspire our own research at the Centre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation (CSAR) and through NeoCAN. Every lecture becomes a two-way exchange of ideas, where everyone leaves having learned something new.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible mentors, collaborators, trainees, research staff, and families who have supported our work over the years. Scientific progress is never the achievement of one individual. It is built by teams who share ideas, challenge assumptions, conduct rigorous research, and ultimately translate evidence into better care for babies and their families.

I am especially grateful to the many conference organizers, universities, hospitals, professional societies, and research groups who placed their trust in me by extending these invitations. It has been an honour to contribute to educational programs across the world and to witness firsthand the remarkable commitment of clinicians striving to improve neonatal care in every corner of the globe.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this journey is knowing that each presentation has the potential to influence clinical practice beyond the conference room. A new technique adopted in a delivery room, a collaborative research project launched between centres, or a trainee inspired to pursue neonatal research may ultimately improve the lives of countless newborns and their families.

As I look ahead, I am more optimistic than ever. Neonatal medicine is entering an exciting era driven by international collaboration, innovative technologies, artificial intelligence, implementation science, and large multicentre clinical trials. Together, we are answering questions that once seemed impossible and generating the evidence needed to transform care for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. Whether you attended one of these talks, collaborated on a study, mentored a trainee, or supported neonatal research in any way, you have helped move our field forward.

The journey continues—and together, we will keep working toward our shared vision of giving every newborn the healthiest possible start to life.

Research4Babies - Advancing neonatal research. Sharing knowledge. Improving newborn lives.