Todd DeFeo – Ninth Day

Why I still fight for my son

December 18, 2019 Todd DeFeo

My belief is simple. When something goes wrong, doctors should afford respect to the victims by explaining what happened and answering questions. It’s disingenuous to dismiss genuine questions as disrespectful just because they don’t want

Practice what you preach

December 2, 2019 Todd DeFeo

Creating a welcoming environment should be more than a slogan on the company’s webpage or in its employee handbook. It needs to be something that every employee follows.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Georgia governor cannot say how Patients First Act will help stem infant loss

March 6, 2019 Todd DeFeo

In a recent op-ed in favor of the Patients First Act, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp highlighted the state’s poor record when it comes to infant mortality.

A day for remembering

October 15, 2018 Todd DeFeo

Today is infant loss and remembrance day. It’s a day that shouldn’t have to exist. But, it does.

The past 11 months

July 16, 2018 Todd DeFeo

The past 11 months have been a lot, but fun is not a word I would use to describe them. As I told the chief medical officer at the hospital, I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone.

I don’t know what ‘all right’ even means

June 19, 2018 Todd DeFeo

Bob Dylan once sang, “They tell me everything is gonna be all right/ But I don’t know what ‘all right’ even means.” It’s an apropos sentiment, I’ve discovered over the past 10 months. Someone once

Why does an infant have to die?

February 7, 2018 Todd DeFeo

There are few words to describe how it feels to lose an eight-day-old. The experience is many things, but fair is hardly one of them.

Three ideas for improving the patient experience at Georgia hospitals

February 6, 2018 Todd DeFeo

The state of Georgia has an opportunity to take action and work to prevent the needless deaths of infants in the care of Georgia’s hospitals.

Our Hospitals Can Do Better

September 23, 2017 Todd DeFeo

I asked the questions the parent of any eight-day-old who died in the NICU would have asked. If the hospital and its leaders are offended by that, they should take a hard look at themselves in the mirror and assess whether their chosen profession is the right one for them.

My son died, and the hospital doesn’t care

August 18, 2017 Todd DeFeo

After speaking with the chief medical officer of the hospital where my son died, I realize we will never receive a straight answer about the circumstances leading to his death.