Well Fed with Dr. Louisa Ferrara Gonzalez

Louisa Ferrara, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CNT is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with over 10 years of clinical experience working with neonates, medically-fragile infants and children with a myriad of complex medical/developmental needs. Dr. Louisa has worked in numerous pediatric settings, most recently as a Program Manager and Specialist in Feeding and Swallowing Disorders at NYU-Winthrop Hospital, in New York. Dr. Louisa developed the NICU Feeding Program in this Level III NICU. She has since stepped down from this clinical position and now manages their NICU Dysphagia Research Team. The team collectively strives to provide clinicians with more evidence to support their practices, with the ultimate goal of improved care for this most special population of infants. She is also an assistant professor at Molloy College on Long Island, NY.

Dr. Louisa completed her Doctorate degree in Speech and Language Pathology in May 2018 from Adelphi University. She received her Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders in 2014 through ASHA. She has earned specification as a Certified Neonatal Therapist in 2018, through the "NTNCB" (Neonatal Therapist National Certification Board), which she is also a board member. Furthermore, she is a Clinical Advisor at Innara Health, developer of the NTrainer.

Dr. Louisa has published in high-standing, peer-reviewed journals; her research has focused on the swallowing mechanism in neonates under various conditions (respiratory devices, liquid modifications, feeding strategies, etc.), as well as the use of various diagnostic tools. And finally, she lectures nationally on various topics related to feeding readiness in preterm infants, dysphagia management, swallowing-respiratory coordination and early feeding milestone acquisition in normal and developmentally delayed children.

Dr. Louisa prides herself on living a fulfilled life where she gets to positively impact the lives of infants and families through her care, education and research, as well as by making enough time to cherish each beautiful moment with her family. She is a proud Mom to her son Mario, and dog Sadie, and is grateful to be married to her wonderful husband Joe, who keeps her smiling through it all.