M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, SLP MANAGER
Valeria was born and raised in Orange County. Her educational journey began at the University of California Irvine in 2016, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Policy. Valeria continued her studies at Chapman University where she received a post-baccalaureate certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders and SLPA license the following year. She was given the opportunity to practice speech pathology as an assistant for a few years while working with primarily Spanish-speaking families at a children’s hospital outpatient clinic. In 2020, she returned to Chapman University to earn her Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in order to specialize in pediatric feeding/swallowing. Her clinical fieldwork as a graduate clinician included experience working with both children and adults in various different settings, including outpatient clinics and inpatient units like the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Valeria joined the OTG team in 2020 and has since demonstrated her passion and dedication to her work with the care she provides our families. Valeria serves as the Speech Department Manager and is fluent in Spanish. In 2021, Valeria completed the coursework and examination necessary to be recognized by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice as a Certified Lactation Counselor. This certification allows her to better support breastfeeding mothers and their children. In addition to having taken part in various feeding-related continuing education courses like SOS, Talk Tools, FeedThePeds, etc. She is also SOFFI ® trained, which allows her to provide an integrated approach to supporting oral feeding in infants who have complex medical issues.
Valeria feels that it is a privilege to share special moments and milestones with our families here at OTG. From witnessing the joy of a child finding their own voice for the first time to assisting in something as fundamental as accepting solid foods, being a part of their journey is the most rewarding aspect of her job.
When she’s not at OTG, Valeria works on-call as an inpatient SLP at a children’s hospital to keep up with her acute-care skills. She loves to spend time with her husband, family, and friends. She also loves trying new foods, shopping, visiting new places, and watching or listening to anything True Crime.
