Elsie R. Vergara, Sc.D., OTR, FAO
Elsie R. Vergara, Sc.D., OTR, FAOTA, received a bachelor of science degree in physical and occupational therapy in 1968 and a master of public health degree in maternal and infant health in 1977 from the University of Puerto Rico. Her interest in neonatal care emerged during her clinical experiences in Puerto Rico. These experiences took place when major medical and technological advances in neonatal practice were occurring in the United States. Dr. Vergara moved to Boston to pursue a doctoral degree that would expand on the knowledge and skills in neonatal intervention that she had acquired through intensive self-study and her master's-level experiences. Dr. Vergara received training from respected neonatal care scholars such as Dr. Kevin Nugent and Dr. Heidelise Als, and in 1987 she earned a doctor of science degree from Boston University. Following the reauthorization of the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 (PL 99-457) as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1991 (PL 102-119), states began to develop educational resources and activities to prepare personnel to comply with the mandates of the law. Dr. Vergara obtained a 3-year grant from the state of Florida to design and establish a statewide training program to prepare neonatal and early intervention physical and occupational therapists. To accomplish this task, she created a series of self-study materials that the American Occupational Therapy Association published in 1993 as a two-volume set titled Foundations for Practice in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Early Intervention: A Self-Guided Manual. In 1993, Dr. Vergara was inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Association's Roster of Fellows for her contributions to the enhancement of the profession through the development and promotion of educational programs in early intervention. Dr. Vergara's interest in infusing a family-centered, developmentally supportive perspective into the training and service delivery of neonatal personnel has challenged her to conduct similar training programs in countries such as Mexico and Honduras. She plans to establish two training centers in Mexico to provide ongoing preparation of neonatal personnel.