Dr Marilyn Sanders

Dr Marilyn R Sanders is a board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist who cares for critically ill babies, infants, and their families at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Newborn Intensive Care Unit in Hartford, CT. Dr Sanders did her pediatric residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and her fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Johns-Hopkins School of Medicine. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She also provides neurodevelopmental follow-up for babies and infants up to 3 years old. Her scholarly interest is providing trauma-informed care to hospitalized newborns, infants, young children, and their families. Her scholarly focus is the impact of the autonomic nervous system’s sense of safety, danger, or life threat on our emotions and behavior. She lectures throughout the United States and Europe. Dr Sanders has authored papers and book chapters on trauma-informed care for young infants, children, and their families in the hospital setting. Dr Sanders’ book with her co-author, Dr George Thompson, The Polyvagal Theory and the Developing Child: Strengthening Systems of Care for Kids, Families, and Communities was released on 11/16/21 by WW Norton. The book discusses implications of the Polyvagal Theory, for the well-being and development of infants, children, and adolescents. Dr Sanders is also on The Advisory Board of The Polyvagal Institute.