The California Association of Neonatologists (CAN) was created by the directors of California neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to develop and discuss ideas that improve the care of infants and define, promote, and promulgate standards for care of the fetus and newborn. CAN’s objectives include:

Improving the care of the fetus and newborn by:

• Providing a forum for the discussion of problems relating to pregnancy, parturition, and fetal and neonatal pediatrics.
• Stimulating education, research in, and the teaching of neonatal-perinatal medicine.
• Disseminating knowledge of neonatal-perinatal medicine to other medical professionals and allied health personnel.
• Advocating for appropriate access to care

​​​​​​​To stimulate programs for the education of the general public in the field of neonatal-perinatal medicine.

To represent neonatologists in the state of California regarding:

• The development of standards of care.
• Guidelines and scope of practice.                                                                 
• Regionalization, funding, and financing of neonatal care.
• Ethical issues for the care of the newborn.

Support of CPQCC, a network for the sharing of data and the promotion of quality improvement.

To operate as a non-profit.