Together For Good: The Story of Dandle•LION Medical

“We have a long history of figuring out a better way to do things for babies, in spite of people telling us ‘no.’” – Cathy Bush, Chief Strategy Officer

For nearly two decades, the story of Dandle•LION Medical has been shaped by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to improving outcomes for hospitalized babies. What began as the convergence of professionals from different backgrounds evolved into a mission-driven company focused on advancing neurodevelopmental care through research, education, and thoughtfully designed products. At the center of the journey is a simple belief: when babies are placed first, meaningful change follows.

More than 35 years ago, Cathy Bush entered the neonatal care space, helping to develop positioning products at Children’s Medical Ventures (ChMV). As developmental care emerged in neonatology, growing research highlighted the need to better align the NICU environment with the womb to support long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Working alongside NIDCAP-trained clinician Gay Gale, Cathy helped to bring Gay’s positioning aid concept to life, despite skepticism from others in the field.

Cathy quickly realized products alone were not enough. Education would be essential for meaningful clinical adoption and long-term practice change. That philosophy, education first, products second, still guides Dandle•LION Medical today.

At the same time, Lou Casella was building a medical sales business after a career in the infusion pump industry. When his newborn son required prolonged hospitalization for a congenital cardiac condition, Lou’s perspective on healthcare changed permanently and deepened his commitment to neonatal care. Meanwhile, Scott Bell and Don Mortifoglio acquired Tarry Manufacturing in 2003, later becoming Tarry Medical Products, Inc. Alongside engineering and manufacturing experts Suzanne Anderson and Rick Hall, they expanded the company’s neonatal specialty offerings and laid the foundation for what Dandle•LION Medical would become.

In 1999, Lou’s sales company began representing ChMV products. His personal experience, combined with Cathy’s clinical and educational expertise, created a partnership rooted in improving neurodevelopmental care. In 2003, Chrissy Burke of ChMV introduced Lou to Scott Bell, and the group quickly connected over a shared vision for innovation in neonatal care. Soon after, Lou introduced Scott to Cathy at a trade show, where her passion and expertise immediately stood out.

Together, the team recognized that little had changed in the positioning aid market for years. They reevaluated products through the lens of the latest neurodevelopmental research and assembled what they often describe as a “dream team” of manufacturing experts, influential clinicians, and even a high-end garment designer.

In 2009, the team gathered for an intensive four-day workshop to develop entirely new positioning aids rooted in neurodevelopmental science. Prototypes were sewn and adjusted in real time, ultimately leading to the first versions of the original Dandle® ROO and Dandle® WRAP.

Around the same time, the group searched for a name that reflected the company’s warmth and purpose. They discovered the word “dandle,” meaning to gently bounce a baby, and paired it with “lion,” representing protection, courage, and strength. Initially intended as a product name, Scott believed Dandle•LION should represent the company as a whole. That same day, Lou returned home to a lion drawing created by his young daughter — a moment the team still remembers as a sign that Dandle•LION Medical had found its identity.

The early years were not without challenges. Many clinicians were still unfamiliar with the importance of neurodevelopmentally supportive positioning, so the team focused heavily on education, collaboration, and supporting early adopters. Growth came gradually, with Tarry Medical playing a critical role in supporting Dandle•LION’s expansion. Today, neonatal care has shifted dramatically toward bridging the neurodevelopmental gap between the womb and the NICU, PICU, and CVICU, and the team remains proud of the role they have played in helping establish neurodevelopmentally supportive care as a standard of practice.

As Dandle•LION Medical continues to grow, the mission remains unchanged: support babies, families, and clinicians through education, innovation, and clinician-guided solutions. The company continues to invest in products and programs that larger organizations may overlook because the market is small — but if they benefit babies, the team believes they are worth pursuing.

What began as a chance meeting of people, products, and purpose has grown into a company rooted in education, innovation, and a lion’s heart for babies. Looking ahead, Dandle•LION Medical remains committed to partnering with clinicians, listening deeply, solving real needs, and helping create the most nurturing environments possible for hospitalized babies and their families.