DonnaMaria Cortezzo, MD, is a neonatologist in the Division of Neonatology at Connecticut Children’s.  She has a secondary appointment with the Division of Pain and Palliative care and is the Neonatal Lead for Fetal Care. Dr. Cortezzo’s clinical interests include fetuses and neonates with multiple congenital anomalies, congenital diaphragmatic hernias, complex airways, neonates requiring surgical intervention, neonatal pain management, and neonatal-perinatal palliative care. 

When a diagnosis is known prenatally, she counsels families so that they understand the challenges their baby may face and what the different care and treatment options will mean for their baby. Each baby and family is unique. She tailors treatment options and support to each child and family. She believes it is a privilege and an honor that families trust her with the care of their baby and to be present during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives. Those interactions continue to shape her. Her research interests include understanding and improving outcomes for neonates with complex diagnoses, neonatal/perinatal palliative care, neonatal pain and sedation assessment and management, the experiences of bereaved parents, and communication related to counseling/shared decision-making. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family (furbabies included), being outdoors, working out, drawing, and listening to music.

Education

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Residency

University of Connecticut

Fellowship

University of Connecticut

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

American Board of Pediatrics - Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Board of Pediatrics - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
American Board of Pediatrics - Pediatrics

Visiting Associate Professor, Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

  • Deptola S, Hemmann B, Hemmelgarn T, DiPaola K, and Cortezzo DE. Propofol Sedation Washouts in Critically Ill Infants: A Case Series and Literature Review.  Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2023; 28:354-364. In press.
  • Cortezzo DE, Vawter-Lee M, Shoaib A, Venkatesan C. Role of Palliative Care in Fetal Neurological Consultations: Guiding Through Uncertainty and Hope. Frontier in Pediatrics (Section Neonatology, special edition on Advances in Neonatal-Perinatal Palliative Care). 2023 Jun 2;11:1205543. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1205543. PMID: 37334218; PMCID: PMC10272582.
  • Cortezzo DE, Tolusso L, and Swarr D. Perinatal Outcomes of Fetuses and Infants Diagnosed with Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18. The Journal of Perinatology. 2022 Aug;247:116-123.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.04.010. Epub 2022 Apr 19. PMID: 35452657.
  • Cortezzo DE and Meyer M. Neonatal End-of-Life Symptom Management. Frontiers in Pediatrics (Section Neonatology, special edition on Perinatal Palliative Care). 2020 Sep 11;8:574121. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.574121. PMID: 33042931; PMCID: PMC7516797. 
  • Cortezzo DE, Ellis K, and Schegel A. Perinatal Palliative Care Birth Planning as Advance Care Planning. Frontiers in Pediatrics (Section Neonatology, special edition on Perinatal Palliative Care). 2020 Sep 8;8:556. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00556. PMID: 33014940; PMCID: PMC7505922. 

Locations Where I See Patients

Exterior view of Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Hartford

282 Washington Street
Hartford, CT06106
United States