Our Story
Founded in 1995 by Dr. Shoo Lee, the Canadian Neonatal Network™ (CNN) unites researchers and healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for premature and sick newborns. As of 2025, the network represents every Level III NICU in Canada, comprising members from 33 hospitals and 17 universities.
Anchored by a standardized national database, CNN drives large-scale research and quality improvement initiatives. Its findings, shared through peer-reviewed publications and annual reports, are instrumental in establishing best practices for neonatal care nationwide.
Together, CNN’s members transform data into discovery, and discovery into better beginnings and outcomes for Canada’s most vulnerable infants.
Mission & Objectives
To be a network of Canadian researchers conducting leading multi-disciplinary, collaborative research dedicated to improving neonatal-prenatal health and healthcare efficacy in Canada and internationally.
To achieve this, CNN focuses on four key goals:
- Community Building: Host an Annual Conference where researchers and data abstractors convene to share findings and discuss the future direction of neonatal care.
- Standardized Data: Maintain a comprehensive national database of care practices and outcomes for newborns admitted to level III NICUs across Canada.
- Collaborative Research: Serve as a platform for health professionals, epidemiologists, and administrators to engage in high-quality research that advances knowledge in perinatal care.
- Knowledge Translation: Publish peer-reviewed studies and an Annual Report to highlight outcomes, serving as a benchmark for quality improvement
The CNN Difference
What distinguishes CNN is the depth of its multi-disciplinary collaboration. We bring together researchers and frontline professionals to work in unison, focusing on improving both the quality of care and the long-term health outcomes for infants and their families.
This collaborative model is built on a foundation of institutional rigor. Every site investigator operates under the governance of a sponsoring institution—such as a university medical center—and adheres to strict institutional guidelines. This ensures that all collaborations across the network meet the highest standards of research ethics and professional integrity.
CNN Structure, Governance and Leadership
The Network activities are led by the Director, who is supported by a Scientific Officer, an Associate Director and a team of administrative staff, data analysists and statisticians.
An elected Executive Committee helps guide decision-making on current issues and future directions, while also providing critical reviews of new research proposals. The Director reports to a Governing Board, a multidisciplinary team led by the Chairman of the board.
Sister Networks and Collaborations
CNN has inspired the development of additional national and international networks related to the care of premature and sick newborns, in addition to fostering collaborations with additional existing networks and groups spanning areas such as obstetrical care, transport, surgical care, and longer-term follow-up, which collectively help to understand variations in practices and outcomes of neonates admitted to NICUs at a national and global level.
