Dr. Alice Gong is the current vice chair of the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB). I spoke with Dr. Gong to learn more about her achievements and dedication to improving the health and well-being of newborns.
A Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Compassion
Dr. Gong's career began with a passion for medicine and a particular interest in pediatrics. She grew up in a small town in the Mississippi delta. After completing her undergraduate studies at Mississippi College, she began her journey in healthcare and entered medical school. Although she initially was drawn to pediatrics, it was during her clinical rotations that she was drawn to the complexities of neonatology. The delicate and critical transition that newborns make after birth fascinated her, leading her to pursue a residency in pediatrics and a subsequent fellowship in neonatology.
Significant Research in Neonatal Care Dr. Gong’s training and research has taken place across the United States. Her early research work in neonatology focused on neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, which at the time was the leading cause of death of infant mortality. She was part of some of the initial research on surfactant replacement therapy1, which became a cornerstone of neonatal care and was instrumental in improving mortality and morbidity for premature newborns.
Additional research areas included lung physiology, retinopathy of prematurity in partnership with retinal ophthalmologists, and breastfeeding quality improvement, the latter of which aligns with Breastfeeding Learning Collaborative with Safe Infant Sleep Modeling, a current TCHMB initiative.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Gong’s commitment to improving neonatal and maternal healthcare remains strong. As vice chair, she hopes to ensure the progress made in urban hospitals is extended to small community hospitals, particularly those in rural areas. For Dr. Gong, the goal is to elevate care standards in high-level NICUs across the state, regardless of proximity to urban area hospitals.
In her words: "A woman that lives in rural Texas, her wants and desires for her child and her family are no different than someone who lives in an urban area."
A Legacy of Dedication
Dr. Alice K. Gong’s career is a testament to a lifetime of dedication to improving the health of newborns and supporting families in their most vulnerable moments. Through groundbreaking research, system-wide improvements, and a compassionate approach to neonatal care, Dr. Gong has changed the trajectory of countless lives. Her work continues to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals and advocates for maternal and neonatal health.
Her personal mission mirrors that of TCHMB, which works to advance healthcare quality and safety for all Texas mothers and babies and finds success in its collaboration-based efforts. Both Dr. Gong and TCHMB work to ensure better care standards can flourish across the state.
As she reflects on her career, Dr. Gong's mission remains clear: to create a world where every baby can grow up healthy, safe, and nurtured by their families and communities. Her legacy is one of scientific achievement and a profound expression of her compassion and commitment to improving the world for the most vulnerable.