Biography

Hanneke (Nienke Hannah) van Dokkum, MD, PhD, is a pediatric resident and postdoctoral researcher in Neonatology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands. Her work focuses on improving neurodevelopmental outcomes for children born preterm, combining clinical pediatrics with interdisciplinary research on early-life stress, developmental trajectories, and supportive interventions during and after neonatal intensive care.

She completed her MD/PhD at the University of Groningen, graduating cum laude with a dissertation entitled “Towards improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants: Efforts during NICU stay and beyond.” Her research explores how early biological and environmental factors shape development in vulnerable infants, and how these insights can translate into practical interventions in neonatal care.

Alongside her clinical training, she has a strong interest in innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to health. As a research fellow at the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, she coordinated and contributed to research projects examining the role of live music in intensive care environments, including neonatal and pediatric settings. This work reflects her broader interest in how the hospital environment and supportive care practices can influence patient wellbeing and development.

Dr. van Dokkum has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and regularly presents her work at international conferences, including the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting. Her work bridges neonatology, developmental science, and creative approaches to care, with the aim of improving both short- and long-term outcomes for children and families after preterm birth.