Neonatal Rescue evolved from a concept a leading respiratory therapist came up with on a flight home from an impact trip to Ghana. He saw a need: thousands of infants were dying from easily treatable issues related to asphyxia at birth. On the long flight home, he drew up a napkin sketch of a small, robust, and portable ventilator.
Through the help of BYU’s engineering department, a proof of concept was developed. It was then shared with the business school where a competition, the Y prize, was kicked off to put the solution into action. Kindall and Erica Palmer, two of the founders of Neonatal Rescue, immediately put together a team, including the respiratory therapist, to win the competition. During the competition, we spent a year developing a sustainable solution for infant mortality in developing countries like Cambodia. We were able to spend additional time in-country where, with the help of many respiratory therapists, doctors, engineers, and the local healthcare providers, we refined and developed the Neolife Ventilator and training plan to better fit the needs there.
Soon after beginning the project to build newborn ventilators, Kindall and Erica Palmer had their first baby, Erickson. Just 12 hours after he was born he started to turn blue. Erickson was rushed to the newborn ICU with critically low oxygen levels. One of the first things the medical personnel did was hook him up to a life-saving ventilator machine, the same type of machine the new company was developing. He spent two months fighting for his life with the aid of doctors and nurses before his parents were able to bring him home, further cementing the passion and desire to help other parents and newborns around the world.
At Neonatal Rescue, we understand that a ventilator or any piece of medical equipment offered without training is useless. Throughout our travels, we have seen many “equipment graveyards”, rooms full of expensive equipment that sits untouched because of a lack of support. Our goal is not to simply drop off a ventilator and leave; we aim to change the healthcare systems and empower the patients and healthcare providers in the countries we visit. This takes an enormous amount of resources and effort. Along with our affordable, innovative medical devices, we are committed to providing ongoing in-person training, materials, and repairs, which are all crucial to our programs’ success.
Through the birth of Erickson and travels to developing countries, Neonatal Rescue members learned firsthand the sobering reality that millions of parents are confronted with every single year, many of whom are not fortunate enough to have access to a ventilator and trained personnel. We are dedicated to providing access to these critical devices and training all around the world to save lives.
Our Team
Rob Brown
CEO
Rob was an integral part of the BYU competition where Neonatal Rescue got its start and is thoroughly involved in all aspects of its success. With seven years of experience in medical device manufacturing and engineering, he developed the first infant ventilator and co-founded the company. In 2021, Rob took over as CEO. But as the first lead engineer, he continues to work hands-on with our engineers today. He is grateful to be leading an awesome team involved in the great cause of saving lives.
Janelle Gardiner
VP of Clinical Operations
Having worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for over 25 years and Associate Professor for nearly 20 years, Janelle is highly skilled in both innovative respiratory techniques and effective teaching methods. She earned a master’s degree in Respiratory Care Leadership from Northeastern University, and a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with an emphasis in Education from A. T. Still University. Additionally, she has been involved in many humanitarian medical missions and taught respiratory therapy in various places throughout the world.
David Erickson
VP of Growth and Partnerships
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over ten years ago, David began working in Emerging Markets. He and his colleagues built and developed multiple businesses including solar, farming, trucking, and manufacturing to over 300 employees where they impacted the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. Since that first experience he founded a solar startup in Ghana, consulted with small businesses in Uganda, Kenya, and much of West Africa, and has supported multiple humanitarian projects and businesses around the world in other developing markets.
Sara Hoen
Director of Development
Sara is passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and children. She is a natural fundraiser and loves to build relationships with donors. She has fifteen years of experience raising funds through volunteer work collecting in-kind donations, working with clients, organizational and administrative opportunities with Mountain West Mother’s Milk Bank, The City of Woodland Hills, UT, Fill the Pot Ministries and many local schools and booster clubs.
Rob Brown
CEO
Rob was an integral part of the BYU competition where Neonatal Rescue got its start and is thoroughly involved in all aspects of its success. With seven years of experience in medical device manufacturing and engineering, he developed the first infant ventilator and co-founded the company. In 2021, Rob took over as CEO. But as the first lead engineer, he continues to work hands-on with our engineers today. He is grateful to be leading an awesome team involved in the great cause of saving lives.
Janelle Gardiner
VP of Clinical Operations
Having worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for over 25 years and Associate Professor for nearly 20 years, Janelle is highly skilled in both innovative respiratory techniques and effective teaching methods. She earned a master’s degree in Respiratory Care Leadership from Northeastern University, and a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with an emphasis in Education from A. T. Still University. Additionally, she has been involved in many humanitarian medical missions and taught respiratory therapy in various places throughout the world.
David Erickson
VP of Growth and Partnerships
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over ten years ago, David began working in Emerging Markets. He and his colleagues built and developed multiple businesses including solar, farming, trucking, and manufacturing to over 300 employees where they impacted the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. Since that first experience he founded a solar startup in Ghana, consulted with small businesses in Uganda, Kenya, and much of West Africa, and has supported multiple humanitarian projects and businesses around the world in other developing markets.
Sara Hoen
Director of Development
Sara is passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and children. She is a natural fundraiser and loves to build relationships with donors. She has fifteen years of experience raising funds through volunteer work collecting in-kind donations, working with clients, organizational and administrative opportunities with Mountain West Mother’s Milk Bank, The City of Woodland Hills, UT, Fill the Pot Ministries and many local schools and booster clubs.
Cody Going
Engineering Manager
Cody is responsible for leading and being a part of the teams that design, test, and implement our life-saving devices. He also leads the Regulatory and Quality aspects of the company, ensuring that our devices fulfill all federal and international standards and requirements. His previous experience with CAD (Computer-Aided Design), strategic problem solving, and innovative product design has enabled him to understand and tackle all of the challenges that come with the design of our devices.
Ashley Mitchell
Product Engineer
Having worked in a wide variety of fields, primarily as a researcher, Ashley is involved in testing, technical writing, and compiling data. She has previously worked on a project using electrochemistry to obtain Molybdenum 99, which is vital to over 40,000 different medical procedures. Additionally, she has contributed to a study over earthquakes in Indonesia, worked for a consultant company in helping companies become data driven, and is Six Sigma certified.
Rebecca Olds
Brand Journalist Intern
Currently finishing her Journalism degree at Utah State University, Rebecca’s passion is capturing stories and sharing them. She knows that sharing people’s stories humanizes them and encourages a stronger desire to help. In addition to her BS, she is minoring in Anthropology and receiving a certificate in Interfaith Leadership. She is currently working to create a system of inclusion between those of different religions and advocate for the human right to freedom of religion, by piloting the program in Florida.
Travis Elmont
Embedded Systems Engineering Intern
With a varied experience in the field of Electrical Engineering, Travis has led several design teams, including one for BYU Capstone in partnership with Varex Imaging Corporation that created a device to help improve current medical imaging technology. Also, during his time working with Venezuelan refugees in South America, Travis was able to experience first-hand the need for life-saving medical devices worldwide. He hopes to aid in designing and bringing medical devices to parts of the globe that are in dire need.
Cody Going
Engineering Manager
Cody is responsible for leading and being a part of the teams that design, test, and implement our life-saving devices. He also leads the Regulatory and Quality aspects of the company, ensuring that our devices fulfill all federal and international standards and requirements. His previous experience with CAD (Computer-Aided Design), strategic problem solving, and innovative product design has enabled him to understand and tackle all of the challenges that come with the design of our devices.
Ashley Mitchell
Product Engineer
Having worked in a wide variety of fields, primarily as a researcher, Ashley is involved in testing, technical writing, and compiling data. She has previously worked on a project using electrochemistry to obtain Molybdenum 99, which is vital to over 40,000 different medical procedures. Additionally, she has contributed to a study over earthquakes in Indonesia, worked for a consultant company in helping companies become data driven, and is Six Sigma certified.
Rebecca Olds
Brand Journalist Intern
Currently finishing her Journalism degree at Utah State University, Rebecca’s passion is capturing stories and sharing them. She knows that sharing people’s stories humanizes them and encourages a stronger desire to help. In addition to her BS, she is minoring in Anthropology and receiving a certificate in Interfaith Leadership. She is currently working to create a system of inclusion between those of different religions and advocate for the human right to freedom of religion, by piloting the program in Florida.
Travis Elmont
Embedded Systems Engineering Intern
With a varied experience in the field of Electrical Engineering, Travis has led several design teams, including one for BYU Capstone in partnership with Varex Imaging Corporation that created a device to help improve current medical imaging technology. Also, during his time working with Venezuelan refugees in South America, Travis was able to experience first-hand the need for life-saving medical devices worldwide. He hopes to aid in designing and bringing medical devices to parts of the globe that are in dire need.