08/18/2025
After several years in the field of fetal therapy, Barb Eichhorn, outpatient nurse coordinator, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, is taking her expertise to the next level. Recently elected president of the Fetal Therapy Nurse Network (FTNN), Barb spends her limited free time researching and consulting with other professionals to pioneer advancements that better support fetal therapy centers across the country.
Barb’s path to becoming a leading figure within the field wasn’t initially obvious. After earning her nursing degree, she wasn’t sold on pursuing a career in maternal care.
"I had a terrible orientation and maternity rotation," she said. "Afterwards I thought, 'Oh, I don't want to do that.'"
But she gave the discipline one more chance, taking a labor and delivery nurse position in Philadelphia that became the first flicker of her bright future.
"I fell in love with it," she recalls. "As I went up the ranks, I became interested in the high-risk aspect of things."
Barb joined UPMC Magee in 2006 as a maternal fetal medicine nurse, bringing both experience and a growing interest in fetal therapy. After a decade of care, she advanced to outpatient nurse coordinator for the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Centers (FDTC), deepening her role in the field.
Not long into her new role, she was encouraged by Stephen P. Emery, MD, director, Center for Innovative Fetal Intervention and co-director, FDTC, UPMC Magee, to explore professional fetal therapy organizations.
In 2018, Barb became the FTNN's research chair, publishing several articles on key fetal therapy topics. She’s currently exploring national insurance coverage for intervention procedures and advocating for standardized measures to reduce care barriers. Barb also helped develop a nationally adopted orientation and competency program for fetal therapy nurses, featuring expert interviews and clinical skill assessments.
Now embarking upon the first months of her presidency, her focus is on improving and expanding fetal therapy services at UPMC Magee and beyond. One of Barb's primary focuses during her presidency is developing a separate certification for fetal nurses.
"Right now, there are not a lot of certifications that fit what we do," she explained. "There's certifications for areas like outpatient nursing and geriatrics, but we really want to try to have one that's unique to our work."
While she never imagined seeking such a high-profile position and admittedly prefers working behind the scenes, Barb's devotion to fetal care is what ultimately drives her ambition.
"I've always flown a little under the radar because my focus isn't on tooting my own horn," she adds. "I do it because I love it and it's my passion."
