Ashlea D. Cardin

Dr. Ashlea Cardin is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. She is also a practicing neonatal occupational therapist, having over 16 years’ experience in a Level III NICU at Mercy Children's Hospital, Springfield, MO. Dr. Cardin is Board Certified in Pediatrics through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), was awarded the Neonatal Developmental Care Specialist Designation from the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and is a licensed NOMAS® infant feeding professional.

Dr. Cardin holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN; a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training from Missouri State University.

During her career, Dr. Cardin has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented internationally, nationally, and regionally on a multitude of neonatal topics, including infant and parent occupational performance in the NICU, developmentally supportive caregiving, infant feeding, parenting and family participation, evidence-based NICU practice, sensory, motor, and neurobehavioral development, the role of family advisory boards in care, and cultural competence in the NICU.