PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 30, 2026) — Valleywise Health has become the first hospital in Arizona to implement the LifeBubble™ Umbilical Line Securement System, an innovative neonatal technology designed to provide a gentler, more secure method of stabilizing umbilical lines for premature and critically ill infants.
The implementation marks an important advancement in neonatal care for Arizona’s most vulnerable patients and is expected to benefit babies being cared for annually in Valleywise Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The technology was introduced at Valleywise Health through the leadership of its NICU clinicians who identified the opportunity to enhance care for neonatal patients. Implementation was made possible through a grant of more than $12,000 awarded by members of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun to the Valleywise Health Foundation, which partnered with Valleywise Health NICU nursing staff to bring the technology to patients.
“The addition of LifeBubble technology highlights our ongoing commitment to providing the most advanced, evidence-based care to the infants who need it most. Umbilical catheters are a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable patients, granting immediate access to medications, nutrition, fluids, and other lifesaving therapies during their critical first days,” said Dr. Jodi Carter, Chair of Pediatrics at Valleywise Health.
“Bringing this technology to Valleywise Health further demonstrates our dedication to advancing neonatal care and ensuring every baby entrusted to our NICU receives the highest standard of treatment. We are immensely proud to fulfill our mission of providing exceptional care without exception and are profoundly grateful to the compassionate Valley women whose support made this possible.”
LifeBubble is designed to help secure umbilical catheters used in newborns requiring critical care, reducing catheter migration and malposition while maintaining clinician access to the insertion site. Clinical studies conducted at Oregon Health and Science University and Stanford Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the 2024 Journal of Perinatology have demonstrated promising results, including reductions in catheter migration and high nursing satisfaction.
“Every improvement we can make for our smallest and most medically fragile patients matters,” said Alyssa Munson, MSN, RN, NICU Developmental Care Coordinator at Valleywise Health. “LifeBubble represents an opportunity to bring an evidence-based innovation to Arizona that may help improve the healthcare experience for both infants and clinicians. We are grateful to 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun and the Valleywise Health Foundation for helping make this advancement possible.”
As the first healthcare organization in Arizona to adopt the technology, Valleywise
Health solidifies its commitment to innovation, patient safety and continuously improving outcomes for families throughout the state. For members of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun, supporting the project was an opportunity to make a direct and measurable impact on patient care.
“When our members learned about this technology and how it can improve care for vulnerable newborns, they immediately recognized the difference it could make,” said Pam Stelzer, an emeritus member of the Valleywise Health Foundation Board and member of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun. “This initiative is a strong example of how local philanthropy can create meaningful change in our community. The women who contributed to this grant should be proud knowing their generosity is helping bring innovative care to Arizona families.”
The implementation highlights the powerful intersection of healthcare innovation, frontline clinical leadership and community philanthropy.
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About Valleywise Health:
With locations throughout Maricopa County, one of the country’s fastest growing metro areas, Valleywise Health has a proud 148-year tradition of providing exceptional care, without exception, every patient, every time. Today, the health system includes one of the nation’s top public teaching hospitals, a world-renowned burn center and Arizona’s largest HIV primary care center. From a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital, including the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center and Level I Trauma, to three behavioral health hospitals and 11 community health centers, Valleywise Health is here for every member of the community. To learn more, please visit ValleywiseHealth.org.
About 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun:
100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun is a collective giving organization that brings women together to support local nonprofits and community initiatives through high-impact philanthropy. Members pool resources to fund projects that create meaningful changes throughout the Valley.
About Valleywise Health Foundation
Valleywise Health Foundation is the 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing financial support for critical patient and program needs at Arizona’s public teaching health system, Valleywise Health. Key funding areas include burn survivorship care, innovative behavioral health programs, and teaching tomorrow’s health care professionals. The Valleywise Health mission is to provide exceptional care, without exception, every patient, every time – regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. More than 60 percent of Valleywise Health’s patients are financially vulnerable. To learn about Valleywise Health, visit valleywisehealth.org, and to learn more about Valleywise Health Foundation, visit valleywisehealthfoundation.org
