July 2020 – preemiePRO Highlight

Jenné Johns, MPH

President & Founder of Once Upon a Preemie

“Of all forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most inhumane.” 
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

PREEMIEWORLDHow long have you been working in your field? 

JENNÉ:  10 years as a health equity professional and 4 years as a Preemie Parent Author, Speaker, and Advocate.

PREEMIEWORLD: Why did you choose your current profession? 

JENNÉ: I chose my current profession when my son was born 14 weeks prematurely. Although I had over a decade of experience advocating to reduce and eliminate healthcare disparities, our family joined the ranks of many African American families whose babies are born prematurely. After my son’s birth, I found a tiny but mighty population to begin advocating for within the preemie community. My preemie parent journey started as a self-published book, author of Once Upon A Preemie, which then led to many opportunities to share our story among healthcare professionals. This led me to merge my professional career as a health equity leader and preemie parent speaker and advocate under one mission- to address health and racial equity in the NICU.

PREEMIEWORLD:  What do you want other professionals to know about what you do? 

JENNÉThis fall, Once Upon A Preemie is launching the Once Upon A Preemie Academy, a first of its’ kind virtual training program focused on addressing health and racial equity for NICU and Preemie Professionals. We are excited to launch the Academy to educate, empower and equity professionals to take action as they seek to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities within the NICU/Preemie community. Our training program will offer case studies, resources, and solutions to move any provider or organization along a health equity journey. The Academy will also highlight speakers ranging from NICU Nurses, Preemie Parents, Advocates, and more.

PREEMIEWORLD:  What advice do you give to preemie parents? 

JENNÉ:  1.) Your culture matters in the NICU and 2.) Read to your preemie baby daily.

PREEMIEWORLD:  Fun Facts: Tell us a fun or quirky fact about you.

JENNÉ:  I’ve polished my nails a new color every week since being the COVID-19 quarantine.

PREEMIEWORLD:  Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? 

JENNÉ:  Join the Once Upon A Preemie Academy listserv to learn more about the training courses and to register to attend! Visit us at: www.onceuponapreemie.com