“There aren’t a lot of companies doing what we do. Helping people with ideas, get those ideas to be products and get those products onto babies or moms.”

Watch our Neotech Culture and Business video; an intimate look at Neotech Products LLC where employees work hard, have fun, and make a difference. Employees touch on what sets Neotech apart and its mission to bring innovative medical products to market.

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Amazing passion and drive for… not only the company, but his employees.

Members of Team Neotech honor Craig for his 30 years of service to Neotech.

Craig McCrary is the heart of Neotech. This video highlights Craig’s journey from humble employee to humble leader. Team members touch on Craig’s kindness, generosity, and compassion as he chronicles his 30 years at Neotech. And how he hopes to be around a lot longer to ensure that the Heyman legacy carries on.

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Neotech Products is thrilled to be a Certified B Corporation. People Using Business as a Force for Good™.  

What is a B Corp? Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

They meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. As of 2018, there are more than 2,500 B Corps in 130 industries and 60 countries around the world.

Henry Heyman is the son and grandson to principal owners TJ and Dr. Arnold Heyman, respectively. When he introduced Neotech to the B Corp initiative, we knew right away that we wanted to join the movement. We believed that our business model and company culture made us the perfect candidate to join the likes of Patagonia®, Ben & Jerry’s®, and New Belgium®.

“Since its inception, Neotech has always strived to create a lasting impact and do the right thing. Becoming certified as a B Corp is a natural step for Neotech,” said Henry Heyman, Neotech Consultant. “It’s a way to solidify many of the amazing initiatives and choices Neotech has already made.”

Certifying as a B Corporation goes beyond product or service level certification. B Corp Certification is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. The B Impact Assessment evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impacts its workers, community, environment, and customers. From supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification assures that Neotech is meeting the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance.

“We are extremely happy that Neotech Products has joined our community of Certified B Corporations,” said Lindsey Wilson, B Lab® Senior Associate, Business Development. 

“Neotech’s existing culture and values align perfectly with the global B Corp movement to redefine success in business to balance both profit and purpose. With their dedication to their customers, their employees, and the community, Neotech serves as an excellent example of People Using Business as a Force for Good™,” Wilson continued. 

Being the Difference

In conjunction with the B Corp initiative, Neotech has recently launched the Being the Difference charitable giving program. In May 2020 we introduced three newly-formalized opportunities: Product Donations, Monetary Donations and Scholarship Aid. All three opportunities are available to individuals and organizations in need. Additionally, Being the Difference encompasses our two existing Research Grant programs. Please go to neotechgives.com to learn more!

About B Lab

B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Their initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab’s vision is of aninclusive and sustainable economy that creates a shared prosperity for all.

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Neotech is proud to launch its new formal charitable giving program: Being the Difference…Giving with Purpose!

Giving has been central to Neotech Products from the very beginning. Shortly after Neotech was founded in 1987, we donated several units of the Neotech Meconium Aspirator to doctors traveling abroad.

In the more than 30 years since our founding, that culture of giving has grown as Neotech has grown. We’ve donated products to clinicians on missionary work. We’ve contributed money to non-profit organizations and employee-driven fundraising efforts. We have established research grants and scholarship funds. When people asked, we have responded, quietly, for decades.

“Charitable donations have always been a part of the Neotech culture,” said Neotech President, Craig McCrary. “People asked and we gave what we could, when we could. But this year, we made the mindful decision to take a more proactive approach to giving.”

We are pleased to introduce this next chapter, Being the Difference…Giving with Purpose. Being the Difference is a formal donation program developed for purposeful giving aligned with our core values and goals.

“It’s not in our nature to boast about such things, but we feel it’s important to let people know we have ways we can help. Now more than ever. That’s what motivated us to launch this program,” McCrary said.

The Being the Difference program is launching with three newly-formalized opportunities for individuals and organizations in need: Product Donations, Monetary Donations and Scholarship Aid.

We support medical professionals who serve on medical outreach missions with Product Donations. These clinicians head out all over the world to provide medical aid to underdeveloped areas. We proudly provide them products to help them better serve in their mission.

We partner with non-profit organizations to back the amazing work they do for our community. Groups like Hand to Hold, Mommies of Miracles, Moms of Trach Babies, and more have benefited from monetary and in-kind donations.

Lastly, Neotech offers two yearly scholarships. The Tom Thornbury Scholarship is offered to Neotech employees and their families. The Cure SMA is offered to hopeful attendees of the Cure SMA Conference. Recipients use the funds to supplement the various associated costs. Including registration fees, travel expenses, and even a day at Disney® parks.

Please go to neotechgives.com to learn more and apply!

Clinical Research

Neotech also offers monetary and product support to clinical research initiatives that focus on the use of Neotech products. Being the Difference will encompass our two existing grant programs: the Professional Development Grant Program and the Neotech Research Support Grant. If you are a clinician, visit neotechresearch.com to learn more and apply!

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By Heidi Nakamura
Director of Global Health
Adara Development (USA)

Ruth’s little chest collapsed in, time and time again, as she struggled to breathe.

This baby girl, only a few hours old, was suffering from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), which is the most common cause of disease and death for babies born before 34 weeks. Without help, her small body would eventually give up the fight to stay alive.

Luckily for Ruth and her parents, she was born at Kiwoko Hospital in Central Uganda. Through nearly 20 years of partnership, Adara Development and Kiwoko Hospital have worked together to develop a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This NICU is now recognized as a centre of excellence by the Ugandan Ministry of Health and provides care to more than 1,200 babies like Ruth each year.

At Adara Development, we have spent the last two decades developing deep expertise in the care of premature and sick newborns. We have joined hands with countless individuals, organizations, and businesses that have the same vision for a world where every person has access to quality health, education, and other essential services, no matter where they live.

Medical equipment used in the developed world, including ventilators and other forms of respiratory support, are usually too expensive and often inappropriate for use in low-resource settings. A simple, yet effective form of respiratory support can be provided in these settings at a low-cost and without the need for electricity. However, many of these systems are improvised and untested, providing inconsistent or inadequate pressure to a baby’s lungs. Adara worked with the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital to create and test a system that provides safe and effective respiratory support for use in Uganda.

The RAM Cannula by Neotech is key to the success of this system and our ability to save the lives of babies like Ruth. When Neotech learned of our need for RAM Cannulas they kindly donated several boxes. Countless babies require this equipment each year and the nurses at Kiwoko Hospital are incredibly grateful to have these essential supplies. The passionate staff of the NICU work so hard and this makes their job much easier.

Adara is overwhelmed by the generosity and continued support of Neotech. What they do goes beyond a company just “giving back.” They give with passion and with their whole hearts and it truly makes a difference.

Adara is always looking for opportunities to share our knowledge and experience in maternal and newborn health. Most recently, Adara and Kiwoko Hospital have been working alongside the Ugandan Ministry of Health to assist in the development of more NICUs to save even more newborn lives.

Heidi Nakamura resides in Seattle, WA. She was a NICU nurse for 33 years and a volunteer for Adara Development before taking her current role as Director of Global Health.

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I will start with why Kasey was early. The backstory is that Jack and I had many losses before Kasey. We got married in October 2007 and were excited to start a family. In December, we found out we were expecting and were so excited. All went well until March 14th, I woke up with cramps that progressed over the day. I called the Ob-Gyn but they insisted it was a urinary track infection and ordered me a script. I ended up delivering the baby in the ER at 16 weeks. We were devastated. I got testing done because we had no idea why we lost the baby. So even though it was my first loss, they did the RPL (Repeat Pregnancy Loss Panel) testing. Despite it coming back saying that I had two clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden and MTHFR) the ob-gyn chalked it up to “bad luck.”

We did get pregnant with twins shortly after. I found a high risk doctor who put me on daily injections of the blood thinner Lovenox. I asked about baby aspirin. I was told that if I had three disorders they would consider it, but that it was not needed now. We lost the first twin at 9 weeks and the second twin started measuring behind more and more every check up. The high risk doctor gave me a list of all the things he thought were wrong with the baby. I asked about the clotting disorders, and he said maybe but most likely there was something wrong with the baby. Of course that did not matter to us. I am a special education teacher and felt we could handle anything. We ended up delivering our Catherine Louise at 24 weeks stillborn. She measured about 18 week size. Her placenta was clotted and discolored and it was obvious that she was not getting the nutrition and blood flow that she needed to sustain and survive. Her autopsy showed no chromosomal abnormalities.

So the clotting disorders were very obviously to blame. We explored this some more and found I have one more clotting disorder. One more loss at 6 weeks. Multiple visits to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. Just before starting medicine to help us conceive, we were surprised to learn that we were expecting again. The HCG levels (pregnancy hormone) were very low (8) when 5 is not pregnant and 25 is pregnant. I thought we had another loss on our hands. I actually felt like let’s get this loss over with and start the meds. But they say, as long the number doubles you are okay. Our next number was 17; still in the grey area. But just like Kasey started out small and slowly grew, the numbers increased. We were on our way to Kasey joining us!

I tell all this to show what we went through. I know that in addition to our love for each other, our tough journey really helped Jack and I know that we could make it through anything. All the time in the NICU, we were just grateful for each day we had with Kasey; that she was here with us and we had a daughter to do kangaroo care with, look at and have hope for.

During Kasey’s pregnancy, Jack gave me my 2-times-a-day dosages of Lovenox shots in my belly (I hate needles!). I also took baby aspirin, which I think was very important to take, along with other meds. She started to measure behind around the same time Catherine did. Her amniotic fluid was low and the blood flow from placenta was not good. Our new high risk doctor told us that he hoped to get her to 2 lbs because then she had a good chance in the NICU. We kept monitoring, I tried to eat more than enough to help her gain so she would be heavier whenever she was born. I drank tons of water, rested, got steroid shots for her lungs, etc.

Then came the day when my doctor felt she was not going to make it much longer. The blood flow was too poor. He said Kasey would grow better in the NICU than in me, which was true. I got magnesium sulfate overnight to help with her brain. I had a visit from the NICU doc who went over chances for survival and what they would do with her. I had a C-section the next morning at 26 weeks and she arrived at 1 lb 5.3 oz and 11 1/2 inches. I was too scared to look and know if she made it or not. Jack looked and I asked if she was bigger than Catherine and the doctor replied, “yes.” We heard a little bitty cry. I got a glance at her and they all headed off to the NICU with her.

She was on CPAP and O2 for 18 hours then needed to be intubated and placed on the oscillating vent. Day by day we learned all the new terminology and awaited her blood gas results We were thankful she did not have any brain bleeds. We watched her monitors and witnessed some of her 11 total blood transfusions. I pumped so she could take 1 cc of milk and build that up to “full feeds” via feeding tube.

We had a horrible day where we almost lost her and they all surrounded her talking about what else they could do with the saddest faces that scared me. Her O2 was at 100%; the oscillating vent topped out. They tried jet vent and that was not working for her either. Her CO2 was over 100, to the point they shut off her tcom and machine so we would stop watching it. They started her on steriods and brought in what looked to me like astronaut gear. It was Nitric Oxide. (This began what we called ” Kasey’s Nitric Oxide habit.” It always did help her.)

Kasey rebounded and continued progressing at her pace. We celebrated every gram and ounce that she gained, we loved weigh in days. We began to take turns holding her skin-to-skin (kangaroo care) and would pretend to lie… “No it’s my day, you held her yesterday!” Or when the nurse asked whose turn it was to hold her, we would both respond, “mine!” But we were fair about it.

She was extubated after about a month and tried CPAP, Bi-PAP, Si-PAP, a high flow nasal cannula, and, one day, even a regular nasal cannula. After four months, Kasey was transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a trach eval. (Not before they put decorations and gave her(us) a cake for her 100th day. Two months later, she had surgeries for a tracheostomy, nissen fundoplication and a g-tube.

The post Kasey’s (and Our) Story appeared first on Neotech Products.

Very sick or premature newborns are rarely given the chance to survive in Africa. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) is changing this story.

Children in east Africa are 15 times more likely to die before age 5 than children in high-income countries. The leading cause of death is in these cases is prematurity. Most premature deaths could be prevented with currently available, cost-effective interventions. One Tanzania NICU is working to make a difference. Led by American pediatrician Dr. Stephen Swanson, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre sends home over 250 premature and critically ill babies every year. Many of whom would not have survived otherwise.

Dr. Swanson is an associate professor of pediatrics who trained in infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and public health/epidemiology. In Dr. Swanson graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1997, and completed his residency at Children’s Hospital and Research Centre at Oakland. He then served as a neonatal intensive care unit hospitalist at Stanford University Hospital. Later, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in infectious disease at Washington University School of Medicine and Epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Swanson remains on faculty at University of Minnesota Division of Global Pediatrics, but is working fulltime in Arusha.

Every Breath Counts

Watch the incredible video from Dr. Swanson (Center)

“Babies that are born early in [East Africa] are usually just assumed they’re not going to survive. I felt like we could change that narrative, we could change that story here,” Dr. Swanson said.

With a full range of advanced newborn support and one nurse per 1-3 babies, the Tanzania NICU at ALMC is able to achieve a survival rate of over 90%. This outcome represents the highest level of care available in Tanzania, which is among the most advanced in East Africa.

“Our NICU team and myself have a deeply held belief that every single child deserves the opportunity to go home with their mother. That every baby’s life has value. Whether they are born at 1kg or 3kg.” Dr. Swanson said. “We invest and take care of each of the babies in a team effort without regards to financial status or income. We are going to do everything possible to save the baby’s life no matter what.”

Much of this care is provided for free or at heavily subsidized rates. Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre’s NICU annual budget is less than the cost of treating a single baby in an American NICU for two weeks.

Happy to Support

Neotech was introduced to Dr. Swanson by two local, southern California Nurses who joined to serve in the Tanzania NICU. Once we heard Dr. Swanson’s story, we were happy to help in any way we could. Our relationship continues to grow and we help support their efforts with donations of RAM Cannulas, Little Suckers, and more. Their mission to help in Tanzania has, by extension, become our mission.

“We are so honored to be involved with Dr. Swanson and the NICU at ALMC,” said Neotech Manager of Business Development, Sara Dimmitt. “The work they do is truly an inspiration and we are proud to help make a difference for them.”

A New Era

Due to the incredible efforts of the Tanzania NICU at ALMC, the team is fielding requests from all over the country to help develop other NICUs. In November of 2018, Tanzania will host its first-ever conference on neonatology. The conference will help to raise awareness of the special-needs of premature babies and the simple interventions that can be made. The ALMC NICU team will be one of the primary groups teaching at the national conference. In fact, they were the driving force behind the neonatology conversation. Organizers have titled the conference, “Every Breath Counts.”

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Dr. Heyman has so much passion behind everything that he does and it ignites a passion in each and everyone of us.

Members of Team Neotech share their thoughts on the unique Dr. Heyman (Doc), one of the founders of Neotech Products.

The culture of Neotech starts with the energetic Doc and his salt of earth demeanor. This video highlights Dr. Heyman’s journey from patient to sailor to doctor to inventor, and ultimately, to employer. Intertwined with commentary from others, Doc shares the personal experiences that shaped his life’s path. Dr. Heyman continues to move this company in positive directions. He is responsible for a huge portion of the success Neotech has encountered.

Dr. H… Making a Difference was filmed and edited in collaboration with Weston Graphics.

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(Javier is a long time distributor who also became a consumer of Neotech products.)

My wife and I had tried to have children in the past, but the longest my wife was able to carry was close to 4 months, then she would spontaneously abort. After years of trying, we finally gave up and resolved to adopt. Three weeks later, lo and behold… Carmen presented herself as our soon-to-be daughter.

Carmen Ortiz is an 18 month young child diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Two prenatal tests suggested a high (96%+) probability that Carmen had the chromosomal abnormality known as Trisomy 18 (also called Edwards Syndrome) and that she was suffering Brain Hypoxia. It was determined that Carmen would likely not survive to birth. And if she did, she would be born severely deformed and mentally retarded. The final prenatal medical diagnosis was that Carmen’s condition was “incompatible with life.”

I began my first career in the United States Army and ended in Federal Corrections. I have seen and experienced a lot in my life, but nothing prepared me for this. It is ironic that my second career led me into healthcare because I suddenly found myself in dire need of medical guidance and specialty services for my then unborn child. The outlook was bleak and the medical professionals in charge of my wife’s care gave us no hope. They urged my wife to terminate the pregnancy.

It was determined that Carmen would likely not survive to birth.

I reached out to a colleague who specializes in the cardiothoracic field and he suggested two hospitals that I should contact. After researching those hospitals, we chose to meet with the team at the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Their Mission is to “create hope and build healthier futures” and they are certainly accomplishing that mission. It is a decision that I am glad we made.

During a routine visit, it was determined that Carmen had not grown during the previous month and that she was suffering oxygen deprivation. Due to the Trisomy 18 finding, there was little that they could do for us – unless my wife agreed to Amniocentesis. My wife agreed and was subsequently admitted to the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. From that point forward she was under the meticulously professional care of Sara Twogood, M.D.

At 35 weeks gestation Carmen decided that she was ready to make her debut. Fortuitously, Dr. Twogood was the physician on call that evening. She closely monitored my wife and Carmen’s progress and determined that she would have to perform emergency cesarean surgery. Shortly after the delivery, Carmen was placed in an incubator and prepared for transport to the Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

On my way to the transport, I saw Dr. Twogood in the hallway. She had her back to me and when I passed – I noticed that she was crying. I asked, “Why are you crying?” Dr. Twogood explained that she had expected the worse, but that Carmen looked really good. My response was, “It’s because Dr. Twogood, you are too damn good!” She smiled and my journey to the NICCU at CHLA began.

On Carmen’s third day of life she crashed; her blood gases (ABG) were off, she was suffering edema, she required blood transfusions. We were losing her. My wife was released from the hospital and transported to the NICCU; it was heart wrenching. I felt lost and that the situation was hopeless. I took a break and went in search of solitude. I railed in conversation with God and pleaded for mercy. Call me crazy, but in my despair I heard a voice … “Are you done? Are you done? Now let me show you what I can do.” I returned to the NICCU and we began making calls and reaching out to everyone and anyone we knew that could pray for Carmen. She began to improve.

A few days later, Marissa Quezada of Maternal-Fetal Medicine appeared with a smile at the NICCU; she had Carmen’s umbilical cord test results… ALL NORMAL CHROMOSOMES. What did that mean? It meant that Carmen had just become a candidate for surgery. Our next major visit was from Roberta Williams, M.D. After a very thorough physical examination and evaluation, Dr. Williams recommended Carmen for her first of three heart surgeries – the Norwood Procedure. We worked to get her weight up and prepared Carmen for surgery.

Carmen is a very loving child with a strong will to survive.

Two weeks after Carmen’s life began; Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D. performed the Norwood procedure with a Sano shunt modification. The surgery was successful, but then began the journey to recovery. After a couple of scares–one that included Carmen extubating herself–we were able to take our daughter home; nearly three months after our journey began. Carmen was so small, her head fit into the palm of my hand, but she was ready to meet the world.

In July of 2016, Dr. Starnes performed the Glenn Procedure on Carmen and removed the Sano shunt. She recovered in three days. Her next and hopefully final surgery comes when she is three to four years of age. the Fontan Procedure.

Carmen is a very loving child with a strong will to survive.

I am honored to have stood in the presence of these doctors, nurses and even the cleaning staff–all who kept positive and always encouraged us. These people, especially Doctors Starnes and Williams, are giants in my book. When we are at our lowest, then we experience the miracles that life has to offer. Someone recently asked me, “do you believe in miracles?” I responded, “I have one at home.” I can, without a shadow of a doubt attest that miracles do in fact exist and I am very grateful for mine; her name is Carmen.

Update: Carmen recently celebrated her third year of life. She has progressed to a point where her cardiac team has decided that the Fontan procedure can be postponed for a year or two. Her lead cardiologist calls Carmen’s case “extraordinary!” And that is exactly what she is.

The post Grateful for My Little Miracle appeared first on Neotech Products.

CopperRose was born at Tripler Army Medical Center to parents John and Bridget. CopperRose entered the world with Trisomy and had spent over 325 days in the hospital. All John and Bridget wanted was to bring CopperRose home. Choosing the right path, however, proved difficult. Eventually, a Neotech mom connected with Bridget through Facebook and directed her our way. Bridget then called the Neotech Home Health team. The events that followed were nothing short of magic.

Neotech took to the phone lines and corralled a team to bring CopperRose home. We started by reaching out to one of our RT consultants, Richard, at USC Medical Center. Richard then contacted the Chief Respiratory Care Therapist at Tripler Army Medical Center to discuss the unique merits of one of our products. Next, Richard contacted the medical device manufacturer of the home equipment needed, Philips Healthcare. We then got in contact with the DME company and discovered that another patient was already using this product for home health.

Everything came together within a week. In September of 2013, CopperRose finally went home. Neotech Products, the DME, Tripler Medical Center, Philips Healthcare, and CopperRose’s family worked in harmony to make this happen.

For us at Neotech, these are the stories that keep us going. Being a part of a team that helps to Make a Difference for thousands of patients, clinicians, and parents around the world puts a smile on all of our faces.

It starts with a connection–one mom to another. It continues with a team of doctors and nurses making a plan that best fits the patient’s needs. It ends with CopperRose going home.

The post Bringing CopperRose Home appeared first on Neotech Products.