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 Amy Delaney, PHD, SLP.

Amy has been with Feeding Matters since the beginning and currently serves as the lead of our PFD Alliance’s Educational Initiative Committee. She is passionate, dedicated, and her professional knowledge is invaluable to our programs and initiatives. We feel fortunate to have her on our team.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m an assistant professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Marquette University and director of the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab. My research focuses on quantification of age-appropriate feeding practices and defining feeding disorder profiles in children with chronic medical disorders. Some of my ongoing research includes studying typical feeding development in infants and toddlers, standardization of textures and texture progression in childhood, and feeding outcomes in children with congenital heart disease and prematurity. Prior to joining Marquette, I was at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for 20 years as clinician/researcher in pediatric feeding disorder and dysphagia and worked on an interdisciplinary feeding team.

In which volunteer activities have you participated?
Since I started volunteering with the organization in 2007, I’ve assisted in designing content for website, served as co-lead of Feeding Matters’ Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) Dissemination Committee, co-authored the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire (ICFQ), presented at the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC), given continuing education workshops, and worked with Feeding Matters’ Founder & Strategic Advisor Shannon Goldwater to develop the provider directory. I’m also a founding and executive council member for the PFD Alliance.

What motivated you to become involved?
I was really drawn to the innovation and passion of Feeding Matters “founding mothers”. I was aligned with their goals and the belief that change and alliance is possible to help children with PFD and their families.

What has been your favorite part of volunteering with Feeding Matters?
I really enjoy the networking, collaboration, and helping the greater good of pediatric feeding. Especially being a part of a global effort with backyard interactions and watching the shear perseverance and persistence of the organization.

What sets Feeding Matters apart from other organizations?
For me, it comes down to three points: the collaborative care model, a focus on improving the care of children and families above all else, and goals are rooted in personal experience and motivation.