Marina Reeves, BSN, RNC-LRN, a direct-care nurse in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas' newborn nursery, recently presented at the 8th Biennial Joanna Briggs International Colloquium conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The three-day event, "Channeling the Rivers of Knowledge to Improve Global Policy and Practice," brings together nursing experts and policy makers from around the world to improve healthcare by using evidence-based practices.

"I am honored and excited to present at this year's conference," said Reeves. "This event provides a forum for nurses, researchers, educators and healthcare leaders to share our unique skills and knowledge."

In Thailand, she presented findings from her project, which moved newborn baby care evaluations traditionally delivered in the nursery - such as baby weight, baths and lab draws - into the mother's room. The project was part of her work for Texas Christian University's Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship program, which she graduates from this month.

"Our newborn nursery team is committed to creating strong mother-baby connections from birth," she said. "By performing these newborn assessments at the bedside, mothers do not miss vital information about their baby. They can feel comfortable knowing their baby is within reach, which also helps with successful breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding."

Reeves and her fellow nurses used education and role modeling to increase the number of newborn evaluations performed in mothers' rooms from 10 to 65 percent. This change not only improved maternal confidence and baby bonding, but also had an unexpected positive impact on patient satisfaction scores around nurse courtesy, breastfeeding help and discharge instructions.

A leader inside and outside the hospital, Reeves is a Magnet champion for the newborn nursery unit. She is also an active member of the hospital's research and outreach committees and North Texas Association of Neonatal Nurses.