Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Casteix
Published by Feeding Matters on Aug 06, 2019
Feeding Matters Volunteer Spotlight is a monthly Q & A series that shares the stories of our growing network of change agents, the driving force behind our vision to create a world where children with pediatric feeding disorder will thrive. This month we bring you Jennifer Casteix.
Jennifer is an SLP living in Tucson, Arizona. Her help as a member of the conference committee and her efforts at our 2019 International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference were invaluable. She is passionate and fits perfectly with Feeding Matters.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I received my master of science at The University of Arizona in 1989, and have worked with children with special health care needs (feeding and swallowing, neurodevelopmental disorders including autism) in Tucson and Southern Arizona ever since. I spent 20 years at Tucson Medical Center seeing infants and children in the NICU, PICU, and outpatient settings. I have been on the clinical faculty at the UA since 2009, where I also spent 5 years teaching graduate students and treating infants and children with dysphagia in the NICU and PICU at Diamond Children’s Medical Center. I teach graduate students in our on-campus clinic, and teach the graduate course in pediatric feeding and swallowing.
I’m married to George, who is the best traveling companion in the world. I am very involved in the volunteer community, including sitting on the boards of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Komen Foundation Southern Arizona, Arizona Public Media, Tucson Festival of Books, and the Junior League of Tucson, Inc.
How long have you been a volunteer with Feeding Matters?
I have been a volunteer for 18 months, but I first met Chris and Shannon 10 years ago when they were first starting Feeding Matters (it was POPSICLE back then).
In which volunteer activities have you participated?
I sat on the program committee for the 6th International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. I was the CEU administrator for SLPs attending the event.
What motivated you to become involved?
This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I have dedicated my career to working with children with feeding difficulties and their families, and training the next generation of practitioners. Feeding Matters supports this ideal.
What has been your favorite part of volunteering with Feeding Matters?
Meeting all of the wonderful people who work at Feeding Matters!
What sets Feeding Matters apart from other organizations?
I think it’s the people; all of the people involved.
Jennifer is an SLP living in Tucson, Arizona. Her help as a member of the conference committee and her efforts at our 2019 International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference were invaluable. She is passionate and fits perfectly with Feeding Matters.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I received my master of science at The University of Arizona in 1989, and have worked with children with special health care needs (feeding and swallowing, neurodevelopmental disorders including autism) in Tucson and Southern Arizona ever since. I spent 20 years at Tucson Medical Center seeing infants and children in the NICU, PICU, and outpatient settings. I have been on the clinical faculty at the UA since 2009, where I also spent 5 years teaching graduate students and treating infants and children with dysphagia in the NICU and PICU at Diamond Children’s Medical Center. I teach graduate students in our on-campus clinic, and teach the graduate course in pediatric feeding and swallowing.
I’m married to George, who is the best traveling companion in the world. I am very involved in the volunteer community, including sitting on the boards of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Komen Foundation Southern Arizona, Arizona Public Media, Tucson Festival of Books, and the Junior League of Tucson, Inc.
How long have you been a volunteer with Feeding Matters?
I have been a volunteer for 18 months, but I first met Chris and Shannon 10 years ago when they were first starting Feeding Matters (it was POPSICLE back then).
In which volunteer activities have you participated?
I sat on the program committee for the 6th International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. I was the CEU administrator for SLPs attending the event.
What motivated you to become involved?
This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I have dedicated my career to working with children with feeding difficulties and their families, and training the next generation of practitioners. Feeding Matters supports this ideal.
What has been your favorite part of volunteering with Feeding Matters?
Meeting all of the wonderful people who work at Feeding Matters!
What sets Feeding Matters apart from other organizations?
I think it’s the people; all of the people involved.