WILMINGTON, DE (November 19, 2021) –Erica Sood, PhD, a pediatric psychologist in the Nemours Children’s Cardiac Center and Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, is the first psychologist to be the recipient of the 2021 Newburger-Bellinger Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Award. This award recognizes her outstanding research and commitment to improving neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with heart disease.
Dr. Sood’s research focuses on partnering with patient and family stakeholders to identify unmet needs, make recommendations for psychosocial and neurodevelopmental care, and design ways to improve neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes of children with heart disease. She recently led a team that spanned across eight different health systems to create a prenatal psychosocial intervention to help families adjust and cope following the diagnosis of a congenital heart disease.
“It is an honor to be the first psychologist to receive such a prestigious award,” says Dr. Sood. “I am very thankful for my colleagues at the Nemours Cardiac Center, and proud of the important work that we do to help children living with heart disease and their families.”
In addition to her research, Dr. Sood directs the Nemours Children’s Cardiac Learning and Early Development (LEAD) Program, which provides evaluation and support for development, learning, and social-emotional functioning for children with heart disease. She has also served as the Immediate Past Chair of the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC), Fellow of Division 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, and as an advisor to the national patient and family advocacy organizations, Conquering CHD (Congenital Heart Disease) and Mended Little Hearts.
The Newburger-Bellinger Cardiac Neurodevelopmental award was established in 2013 by CNOC to honor Drs. Jane Newburger and David Bellinger, who were pioneers in research that was designed to understand and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for children with heart disease. Dr. Sood was presented with the award during CNOC's 10th Annual Scientific Sessions on November 17, 2021.
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of nearly 75 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.
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