The dedicated doctors and therapists that are committed to changing what’s possible for children with cerebral palsy.

Dr. Nathalie Maitre

Dr. Maitre is a board-certified neonatologist and research investigator with a focus on neurodevelopment in high-risk newborns and developmental interventions after neural injury. She serves as the Director of Research in Early Development and Cerebral Palsy.

This Children’s and Emory program is now the lead site of the National Implementation Network funded by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. In support of her growing Implementation Science program, Dr Maitre is a member of the international IMPACT for Cerebral Palsy workgroup and has developed caregiver-based motor learning programs for UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

Dr. Maitre’s lab’s research focuses on neurodevelopment in high-risk newborns and rehabilitation of long-term disabilities.

For the past 15 years Dr. Maitre has conducted multidisciplinary research with neuroscientists, engineers and therapists in neurophysiology of NICU infants and rehabilitation. She now leads NIH-and foundation-funded of parent-driven sensory-motor interventions such as constraint and bimanual movement therapy, and pacifier-activated voice players in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Dr. Maitre mentors undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral trainees in rehabilitative therapies, developmental medicine, neurology, neonatology and engineering, who are interested in developing a career in the neuroscience of infant developmental interventions.

Team

Cynthia Frisina
Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships

Debbie Fink
Vice President of Education and Inclusion

Rebecca Lam
Vice President of Programs and Operations

Ashley Harris Whaley
Project Manager of Engagement & Communities

Jennifer Lyman
Resource Content Manager

Josephine Harrer
Social Media Associate Executive Director

Rachel Byrne

Rachel Byrne is the Executive Director at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. She has been working in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and cerebral palsy research for the past 15 years. Rachel has a background in physical therapy, with a particular interest in neuroplasticity and motor learning. Her early career as a clinician delivering physical therapy services in schools, hospitals and private practice is underpinned by her research interests focused on knowledge translation and the impact on a person’s ability to participate in the community across the lifespan.

In her current role at the Foundation, she has continued her research interest in evidence-based practice, knowledge translation, adult healthcare and population studies for cerebral palsy. Rachel was instrumental in developing the Just Say Hi inclusion curriculum which is now being taught nationally.  In the last 10 years she has given multiple presentations at international conferences and managed large multisite research projects.