2024 Healthy Mom - Healthy Baby Conference

Speakers

Laura Gonzalez, BA

Psychology and Mental Health Professional
Sana Sana Mamá
Contact: lau@sanasanamama.com

Laura Gonzalez, BA in Psychology, double major: CBT in Mexico and MFT at USF, is a mental health professional with over 13 years of experience working with children and their families in Mexico and across the San Francisco Bay Area. She trained at UCSF’s Infant-Parent Program and is passionate about maternal mental health since experiencing postpartum mental health disorders after becoming mother to three boys very close in age. She’s currently an AMFT in Texas where she now resides with her family. Laura is an active advocate of maternal mental health within the Hispanic immigrant community and also founder of Sana Sana Mamá.

Jessica Peterson, OTD, OTR, CLC, PMH-C, CEIM

Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR)
Matrescence Occupational Therapy
Contact: owners@matrescenceot.com 

Jessica’s biggest dream as a child was to become a mother. When she had her first child, she felt lost. Her daily routines turned upside down. After a second baby 2 years later, she felt overwhelmed, and her body had still not healed from her first pregnancy and birth. She grappled with her role as a mother and was searching for the professional and carefree person she had left behind. After more than a decade of experience as an occupational therapist in acute care and skilled nursing, Jessica wanted to explore her passion in maternal health and make a difference in her own community through the co-foundation of Matrescence Occupational Therapy. Jessica is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Perinatal Mental Health Professional and Infant Massage Educator. She recently completed her post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from Boston University focusing on building resources and education for occupational therapy practitioners to better serve parents with disabilities. Jessica is enthusiastic, creative, and advocates for her clients. She has a tenacious knack for problem solving, and will not shy away from the unconventional. Jessica is an aerial circus arts hobbyist. She loves traveling to new places and trying new foods.

Gayle Schwee, MOT, OTR, PMH-C

Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR)
Matrescence Occupational Therapy
Contact: owners@matrescenceot.com 

Gayle is a Filipinx-American, born and raised Texan, mother, wife, caregiver, and occupational therapist. She has a passion for connecting with others. Just as the pandemic was shutting down the world, Gayle birthed her first child by c-section. She felt isolated and far removed from the person she was before. In her search to find that strong woman again, she connected with Jessica and co-founded Matrescence Occupational Therapy. Her mindset shifted to concentrate on changing the standard of care in maternal health. Her goal is to empower moms to find strength within themselves to do what they want, need, and have to do. She loves teaching families to engage with their babies in developmental play. She recognizes the significance of mindfulness and stress reduction as essential to forward progress. Gayle is encouraging and sees the potential in others; she is intrigued by the unique qualities that each person brings. Her strength in building relationships gives her clients confidence to strive for their goals. She loves to dance, listen to live music with her daughter and husband, travel with family, and experience new things. She has jumped out of a plane, been hypnotized, and disappeared by David Copperfield.

Stephanie Scheer, BCBA

Director of Research and Innovation
ACES 2020, LLC
Contact: sscheer@acesaba.com

Stephanie Scheer, a distinguished Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), brings over 17 years of invaluable experience to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In her current capacity as the Director of Research and Innovation at ACES, a leading ABA organization nationally, Ms. Scheer plays a pivotal role in steering the company's research initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, overseeing the comprehensive clinical training of ACES clinicians, and managing the company's continuing education program. Additionally, she spearheads the integration of cutting-edge technology into clinical practice, showcasing her commitment to advancing the field.

Ms. Scheer's professional purview extends across the lifespan, encompassing individuals from infancy to adulthood facing diverse challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and aggressive behaviors. Her profound dedication to the dissemination of high-quality ABA methodologies underscores her passion for making the benefits of ABA accessible to a broad audience.

Laura Burton, M.S. CCC-SLP

Clinical Placement Coordinator for Graduate Programs
The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing
Contact: laura.burton@nursing.utexas.edu

Laura Burton is a licensed speech-language pathologist who specializes in pediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders. During her career she has provided feeding support across the continuum of care including home health, outpatient care, specialty clinics (GI and trach), and acute care. She is currently a feeding therapist in a Level VI NICU where she provides feeding and neurodevelopmental care. Laura is passionate about education and has spent much of her career developing training supports for healthcare staff and teaching materials for patient and family education. She also helped launch UT's pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders course for the speech-language pathology graduate program.

Jason Spees, MSN, MaOM, APRN, L.Ac., FNP-C, Dipl. Ac. & C.H

Board Certified and Licensed Family Nurse Practitioner
Contact: Jason.Spees@nursing.utexas.edu

Jason Spees is an alumnus from The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing where he served as a clinical instructor in both graduate and undergraduate level courses. He is a board certified and licensed family nurse practitioner. Additionally, he holds a license to practice acupuncture and Chinese medicine. He is currently pursuing a PhD in nursing with a research focus in human trafficking, and volunteers as an educator in human trafficking to healthcare providers and for Victims Advocate Network. His background includes family practice, traditional Chinese medicine, urology, emergency medicine, chronic pain and rehab, hospice and palliative care, long term care and skilled nursing. Arriving from both a complementary and traditional medical perspective, Jason strives to combine science and holism in caring for his patients.

Jason’s Deli: Jason’s Deli lunch is included with your conference registration cost. Jason’s Deli lunch selection option will be available to registrants during the registration process. 

Other Outside Options:

• Health Transformation Building (HTB) Café: HTB Cafe Menu | HTB Map Location 
• Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas 
  • The Dining Room is located on the first floor and is open from 6:30am – 6:45pm. 
  • Breakfast is served from 6:30 –10:00am. Lunch is from 11am – 7:00pm. 
  • Vending machines are located in the hospital and are available 24 hours a day at your convenience. 
• Grub Hub
• Favor Delivery
• Uber Eats
  • Delivery address and instructions: Deliver to School of Nursing 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX, 78712. Place order on table inside lobby near the front desk and text the customer upon arrival. 
• If you prefer to bring your own lunch due to diet restrictions a refrigerator and microwave are available in the student lounge on the 5th floor, NUR 5.102F. 
• Lactation room: NUR 5.182