Access NTMC Initial Recertification Speakers’ Disclosures HERE

Melissa Bloomer, MA, CCC-SLP, NTMTC

Melissa is a licensed SLP with nearly 20 years of experience working in a variety of acute care settings, with the last 14 years focused on infant feeding and family-integrated care. Melissa currently works in a Level IV NICU at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC. She is co-chair of the Feeding Committee, sits on the Developmental Care Committee and provides comprehensive education as a professional support for all regional Medstar NICUs. Melissa provides regular physician and nursing education and lectures in the Master’s Programs at Gallaudet, Howard, UDC and GWU in Pediatric Dysphagia. Melissa is passionate about infant-led feeding practices, feeding development and neurodevelopmental care. She strives to support and empower families in providing and advocating for optimized developmental care in the NICU and beyond.

Sara Brandon, BSN, RN, NTMNC

Sara has been a registered nurse at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in their level IV NICU since March 2023. She received her Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification in February 2024. Before becoming a nurse, Sara earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and worked for a soccer club, developing curriculum for their youngest players. In 2011, Sara and her husband, Jon, spent 50 days in the NICU with their second child. Being a NICU parent before becoming a nurse has been foundational to Sara’s practice in the NICU. She believes in focusing care on the entire family through trauma-informed practices, shared decision-making, and involving families in every aspect. In her free time, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children. She loves knitting, reading, and gardening.

Rachel Harris, OTD, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Rachel is an Occupational Therapist working in a level III NICU at John Stroger, Jr Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL. She received her clinical doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine, where she was actively involved in neonatal research. She has published and presented research related to maternal mental health and neonatal feeding outcomes. Since then, Rachel has gained clinical experience as a neonatal therapist in a level IV NICU and working in home health with infants. Rachel is passionate about bridging research into clinical practice, to help improve the outcomes of neonates and their families.

Aune Hjartarson Nunn, OT Reg. (Ont), CNT, NTMTC

Aune is an experienced Occupational Therapist who has spent her career in a large NICU at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She received her undergraduate Psychology Degree and Occupational Therapy Degree from McMaster University and has been practicing in the NICU for nearly 25 years. She is chair of the Developmental Care Committee and provides comprehensive education for Neonatal Units and clinicians across the Region on neuroprotective care, feeding and swallowing, and complex discharge planning. Aune is an internationally sought after speaker, educator, and consultant. She is a clinical consultant for DandleLION Medical and lectures in the McMaster University Masters OT program on developmentally supportive care and the role of occupational therapy with premature and high-risk infants. She has published in the area of clinical and video fluoroscopic assessment of aspiration in high-risk infants. Aune is passionate about neuroprotective care and the importance of education to empower families and caregivers and optimize the long-term outcomes for preterm and high risk infants. Aune was awarded the OT Practice Excellence Award in 2013.

Kathi Randall, RN, MSN, CNS, NNP-BC, NTMNC

Kathi Randall is a nationally recognized neonatal nurse practitioner, educator, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in neonatal intensive care. As the founder of Synapse Care Solutions, she has dedicated her career to advancing neuroprotective and brain-focused care in the NICU. Kathi is best known for her pioneering work in developing the 4 Pillars of NeuroNICU model, creating influential training programs in aEEG, therapeutic hypothermia, and developmental care, and inspiring NICU nurses to see themselves as key players in improving outcomes for vulnerable newborns. Her work spans the globe, collaborating with hospitals, NICU teams, and medical device companies to implement neuro-nurturing practices and empower NICU nurses through education, community, and connection. In 2025, Kathi expanded her mission by adopting the legacy of Creative Therapy Consultants and the Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC), ensuring these foundational neurodevelopmental programs continue to thrive for years to come. With her background in innovation, program building, and nurse-led education, Kathi is excited to bring new energy and expanded support to the NTMC community—while preserving the evidence-based, heartfelt approach that makes this certification so impactful.

Erin Springer, MOTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Erin has practiced as a pediatric and neonatal occupational therapist for more than 20 years. She received her Master of Science from University of Puget Sound and currently works at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. She works in the Main Campus level 4 NICU as well as the off-site level 2 nurseries. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist, an IBCLC, and is Neonatal Touch & Massage Certified. Erin has presented nationally and locally on developmental care and support for infants in the NICU. She also participates in the Vermont Oxford Network Quality Improvement initiatives focused on enhancing the care of micro-preemies. Erin also has experience in NICU follow-up for developmental and feeding support.

Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Kara Ann has been a neonatal therapist for 39 years in a level III NICU and serves as the nursery’s developmental specialist. Kara Ann is original Founder of Creative Therapy Consultants (CTC) and the Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC®),  Original Co-Founder of Infant-Driven Feeding® and original co-developer of the Infant-Driven Feeding Scales©.  She is certified in NTMC, is Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) trained and reliable in NIDCAP. She currently serves as the CTC Legacy Advisor, and has served on the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Continuum of Care Advisory Board and Power of Touch Committee, the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) Professional Collaborative, and the Pampers Womb to World Advisory Board. Kara Ann has been a nationally sought after speaker, educator, and consultant for almost three decades and has published articles on positioning and feeding and written a chapter on Neuromotor Development and Massage.  She has received professional awards including the Ohio Occupational Therapy Pediatric Model Practice Award, the March of Dimes Healthcare Worker of the Year Award, the MVH Excellence in Service Award and the Inaugural Pioneer in Neonatal Therapy Award from NANT.

Elisabeth Zimmerman, BSN, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW, NTMNC

Elisabeth has been a nurse in a level III NICU for 25 years. She has cared for a diverse group of infants and received her Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing certification and her Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate certification. Elisabeth has served on multiple committees during her career and is passionate about improving the lives of infants born at 22 weeks to term infants with PPHN on ECMO. She continues to share her knowledge and expertise by being a resource for novice nurses. Elisabeth also takes an active role in creating evidence-based education to improve the lives of infants and the knowledge and practice of nurses in the NICU. She has been a clinical consultant for Creative Therapy Consultants since 2018.