Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a clinical psychologist, is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Gurwitch specializes in work with children, particularly those considered at-risk. Since the bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995, she has devoted much time to understanding the impact of trauma and disaster on children and ways to increase resilience, including stressors related to military deployment. 

Dr. Gurwitch has served on state and national committees and task forces focusing on trauma, disaster, terrorism, and resilience. Dr. Gurwitch has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters and developed materials on these issues; she has co-authored an intervention manual for use with young children after disasters/trauma and programs for the American Red Cross, including Coping with Deployment: Psychological First Aid for Military Families and Coping in Today’s World: Psychological First Aid and Resilience for Families, Friends, and Neighbors. She is a co-author of book for professionals working with children after disaster and crisis, When their worlds fall apart. Dr. Gurwitch and colleagues have developed a Psychological First Aid series for helping children after disaster, Listen, Protect, and Connect, including Listen, Protect, Connect, Model and Teach for use in the schools. In late 2009, Dr. Gurwitch and colleagues received funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to examine the use of an evidenced-based intervention for young children and their families following deployment as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. She and a colleague are currently involved in providing training for mental health providers serving the US Marine Corps; this project is committed to improving relationships in Marine families post-deployment. She provides training and consultation services to agencies, schools, and organizations, including federal organizations, across the country and internationally.  Dr. Gurwitch currently serves as Chair of the APA Presidential Task Force on the Psychological Needs of US Military Service Members and Their Families and is a member of the APA Disaster Response Network. Dr. Gurwitch served as the Program Coordinator for the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement and as a member of the National Commission on Children and Disasters, Subcommittee on Human Services Recovery. She is a Subject Matter Expert in the area of at-risk populations for the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee of the National Bio-Defense Science Board, for the Pediatric Preparedness and Response in Public Health Emergencies and Disasters for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (DHHS/ASPR), and for Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Dr. Gurwitch is also a leader in the evidence-based treatment, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). As one only 16 certified PCIT-International Master Trainers, Dr. Gurwitch provides training, service, and consultation as well as conducts research in PCIT.  

Sonya Oppenheimer, MD, has been committed to the field of developmental disabilities her entire professional career. She recently retired as Director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and Director of the University Affiliated Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, which was established in 1946 and is recognized nationally and internationally as a center for children with developmental problems.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics provides interdisciplinary training programs funded by the Maternal Child Health Bureau for the past 27 years. The center is also recognized for its community outreach programs, clinical service programs, diagnosis and treatment program, and research programs.

Dr. Oppenheimer is recognized as an expert in spina bifida and has been Director of the UACCDD multidisciplinary spina bifida program established in 1965. She has served on the professional advisory board of the Spina Bifida Association of America and the Cincinnati Spina Bifida Association.

Under her direction, Dr. Oppenheimer co-sponsored three International conferences on Spina Bifida. Along with Marlene Lutkenhoff, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic Nurse Specialist, Dr. Oppenheimer recently co-authored a book for teenagers and young adults, Spinabilities -- A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida, and a new book titled Children with Spina Bifida -- A Parent's Guide is in press for families and professionals.

Dr. Oppenheimer has served on the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on children with disabilities and currently chairs the Ohio Department of Health Committee on children with disabilities and the joint Myelomeningocele Committee. She serves as the Governor appointed Pediatrician on the State Early Intervention Council.

Dr. Oppenheimer joined the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1969. Prior to being appointed Director of the Division, she served as the Director of the Department of Pediatrics of the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders.

Dr. Oppenheimer attended Radcliff College Boston, Mather College Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. She had a developmental fellowship at Case Western Reserve University under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Spock and Dr. John Kennell.