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About Us --> Feeding Center
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Approach: St. Joseph's Children's Hospital offers a unique, methodical, and multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and treatment for pediatric feeding and swallowing. It is designed to focus on the medical, motor, and learned patterns that often accompany this dysfunction.
Evaluation
All children are scheduled evaluated by the team. Durting the evaluation, complete medical and feeding histories are obtained. The team will observe a meal conducted by the child’s caregiver’s to assess the child’s oral-motor skills and identify any environmental factors that might be contributing to any undesirable mealtime behaviors. The child will alos be given complete physical and motor examinations. A list of factors that are interfering with feeding success or progress are identified, and a stepwise management plan is devised.Outpatient Services
After the evaluation has been conducted, most children are followed at the Center on an outpatient basis. This may include interventions here at the Center with training of the family and community therapists to continue the child's program in their natural environment. Patient follow-up and parent/therapist training are essential elements for the outpatient tier. Treatment frequency is assessed based on need. Children who require more intensive interventions will be referred to the Day Treatment program.Day Treatment Admission
Day Treatment is recommended specifically when a child is not making progress on an outpatient basis, or for the child who is ready to make significant rapid changes such as advancing from tube feedings to oral intake. Children who live at least two hours away from the Center can send in medical records and a videotape of a feeding session to be considered for admission directly into the Day Treatment Program. Admission goals in these cases may be to complete a full evaluation and initiate a treatment program that will then be carried out primarily at home with consultative assistance from the Center's team. Children coming from Outpatient treatment will also have specific goals determined by the team and family. Each treatment plan in individually established and modified daily using treatment session data and applied behavioral analysis. Our focus is to establish positive learning experiences on a foundation of good nutrition and optimized function of the body systems that support feeding. Family involvement in this program is necessary and critical. As the child and family progress, supported interactions at meal times are gradually reestablished. Once the child’s parents are able to consistently and independently carry out the treatment program throughout the entire day, discharge is planned. The Day Treatment setting is similar to a specialized day care. A nurse supervises the play area and provides tube feedings, medications, and daily care as per the doctors' orders. Therapy staff implement multiple motor and feeding sessions according to the child's plan. The environment is safe, clean, and designed for children. Daily schedules include time for naps, play, and lots of interaction. Day Treatment occurs from 8:30am to 4pm, five days a week. Treatment goals are established for the weekends at home.
Evaluation and treatment of feeding and swallowing in isolation ignores the systemic factors often contributing to feeding and swallowing problems. Families seeking further interventions for feeding problems often are frustrated by the limited progress that is made after years of individual therapy. We believe that children with feeding problems require a holistic approach implemented by a multidisciplinary team. Out team includes the family, medical, community, and educational environment under the umbrella of the Center.
The Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing is the first of its kind in New Jersey to blend a multidisciplinary approach with experienced pediatric subspecialties techniques.
| Our multidisciplinary team includes:
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| We have direct access to services from:
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Dr. Peggy S. Eicher received her MD from Emory University School of Medicine. She did her Pediatric residency and Neurodevelopmental pediatrics fellowship in Baltimore, MD at the University of Maryland Hospital and the Kennedy Krieger Institute respectively. She started a multidisciplinary feeding program at Kennedy Krieger and subsequently at the Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia before coming to be Medical Director of the Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. She has lectured, published, and conducted research in the field of pediatric feeding. |
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William J. Roche M.S. CCC BRS-S, is the clinical director of he Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing and the Regional Craniofacial Center at St. Joseph's Childrens Hospital. He earned his masters degree in Speech and Langauge Pathology at Columbia University and is currently a doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University. He is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, Montclair State University and William Paterson University where he teaches graduate courses in Craniofacial Anomalies and Feeding and Swallowing. |
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Louise Vitello, MSN, APNC is the Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner for the feeding and swallowing center. She received her
undergraduate nursing degree from Columbia University, and her Master’s
degree from Rutgers University. Her experience has included NICU,
Pediatric. ER, and Primary Care. Louise joined the feeding team in
Sept. 2003. |
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Jo Ann V. Petronchak MS CCC is the Speech-Language Pathologist on the Feeding Team at the Center. She received her Master's Degree from Columbia University, and she has been working with the pediatric population with feeding and swallowing for over 20 years. She has been at St. Joseph's Hospital since 1987. |
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Merrill Berkowitz, Ph.D., BCBA is the behavior analyst for the program. He is a board certified behavior analyst. He obtained his doctorate in school psychology at Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Loyola College in Maryland. Prior to joining the team at St. Joseph’s, he worked as a clinical specialist in Kennedy Krieger Institute’s feeding program and completed his pre-doctoral internship in pediatric feeding disorders and severed behavior disorders at the Marcus Institute. Dr. Berkowitz has presented and published research in the area of pediatric feeding and school psychology. |
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Cathy Fox, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist who is the clinical coordinator of OT at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC. She also has her own private practice in Frederick, Maryland specializing in pediatric feeding, swallowing and neuromotor problems. She received a Masters of Science from Johns Hopkins University and has 23 years of experience working exclusively in hospital and rehabilitation settings, treating infants and children. Cathy also has been involved in developing and operating several major feeding programs across the United States. Her post graduate areas of expertise includes extensive training in evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding & swallowing disorders, respiratory/ventilatory function, musculoskeletal treatment of the trunk, shoulders and neck, including the 8 week pediatric and infant Neurodevelopmental Treatment courses. She has also written and lectured extensively on a variety of topics in her specialty areas. |
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Mary Louise Kerwin, PhD, BCBA is a professor of
psychology at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. A board-certified
behavior analyst and a licensed psychologist, she earned her PhD in Developmental and Counseling Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. She co-founded and co-directed the Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing program at Children’s Seashore House and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Kerwin is a research consultant at the Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. |
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Annmarie Marando, B.A. is the Center’s efeed™ Coordinator. She is a graduate of Montclair State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities for more 15 years. She has been a member of the Center since 2002. |
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Miriam Ramos is the Child Care Aide on our Feeding Team. She also is one of our Spanish / English translators. She has been working with children for over five years. She has been a member since 2001. |
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Helen Stockstill is the Feeding & Swallowing Center's Administrative Assistant. She has spent 25 years as an employee of the hospital and has been a member of the center since 2001. She enjoys working with the children and their parents and is glad to be a part of our Center. |
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Pamela Martorana, M.A. LPC is the Licensed Professional
Counselor, (LPC) on the Feeding Team at the Center. She received her
Master's Degree in counseling from Montclair State University and
then studied at the Minuchin Center for Family Therapy in New York.
She has been working families in a variety of settings for over twelve
years. Pamela joined the Feeding Team in April 2003. |
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Philomena Toscano, CPAT is the Center’s Patient Financial Representative. She is a Certified Patient Account Technician who has been working at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for 8 years. Philomena has over 20 years experience working in patient accounts and extensive experience with office procedures. |
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Brittney Chambers, B.A. is a feeding specialist for the Center. She graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. She was previously employed by United Way of Passaic County for 2 years, working with preschool aged children to achieve adequate nutrition needs. She has been a member of the team since May 2007. Brittney plans to continue her education in the near future. |
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Annette Molina has been a feeding specialist for the center since 2007. She has been working with children for over 10 years and has been a part of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for over 5 years. She received her undergraduate degree from William Paterson University and plans on continuing her education in the near future. |
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Jessica Donato, OTR/L received her Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of New Hampshire. Jessica holds a license to practice occupational therapy in New Jersey. She has pediatric experience in the areas of Early Intervention, NICU and school-based OT. |
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Andrea Huber, B.S. is a feeding specialist for the center. She has been a member of the team since 2007. She has worked with children for many years. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. Andrea is continuing her education at Montclair State University to receive her Masters Degree in Nutrition and Food Science. |
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Mallory Nahorniak, B.A. is a feeding specialist at the Center. She graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has been working with children over the past five years and joined the Feeding and Swallowing Center in September 2007. Mallory plans to continue her education in the future. |
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Jeannie Rojas, PT, DPT received her B.S. in psychology at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. She then obtained her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Medicine of New Jersey. She currently holds a license to practice Physical Therapy in the state of New Jersey. She has pediatric experience in Early Intervention, working in Bergen, Essex, and Morris County. |
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Regina De Leon is the Child-care aide on our Feeding Team. She also is one of our Spanish / English translators. She has been working with our children since 2006. She came to the Center initially as a volunteer and began working at the Center after graduating High School. |
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Giselle Benjamin, B.A. is a feeding specialist at the Center. She joined our Team in 2008. She has been working with children for over seven years. Giselle graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a degree in nursing. |