Currently a Healthy Steps Specialist at Ryan Health. I began my role here in February of 2025 and feel so thankful to be working in the early childhood space again. I am a clinical social worker, and I am also a graduate of the Adelphi Institute for Parenting Infant Mental Health and Developmental Practice program. This unique program gave me the opportunity to learn the foundational theories of early attachment, in-depth developmental understanding of infants and toddlers, as well as exposure to clinical field experience. The opportunity to be a part of such a unique and well-rounded program gave me more than just knowledge; it solidified my passion for working in early childhood and set me up for success in ways that I could never have imagined.  It truly changed the course of my career for the better, and I am so thankful to use my growing knowledge each day with the families I serve.

With a strong footing following graduation, I began my first role with Child First. For three years, I trained in and applied the Child Parent Psychotherapy model and saw the everlasting change that home visiting programs provide to families. Having the chance to work so intimately with families helped me take a new perspective on what it means to be securely attached, and how the daily interactions in the home mean so much more than what meets the eye.

I later worked in the NICU Follow-up developmental clinic at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. This exposed me to early attachment in a new way and helped me reflect on different ways that infants and caregivers bond, particularly when handed unexpected circumstances. In this role, I supported families from the NICU stay to discharge and beyond, connecting patients and families with appropriate developmental resources and evaluations following a premature birth or diagnosis of a complex medical condition. Additionally, I supported birth parents in navigating the post-partum experience and connecting them with appropriate support as needed. 

In my current role as a Healthy Steps Specialist, I work alongside pediatricians to provide wrap-around care for families with children ages 0-5. The foundation of Healthy Steps allows for all families to receive developmental and resource assessments, and I love to be the extra layer of support that our families can rely on. More than anything, this role has exposed me to unique challenges that immigrant families face each day, as well as the difficulty of providing stable support to young children when the conditions are continuously unfavorable.