Our Team
Lee Ann and Mara met in 2004 when they were working together in a summer program for children with disabilities. Over the years, their working relationship grew from colleagues to friends and collaborators. After Mara's last child was born, she and Lee Ann spent many hours discussing how important it was for women to have support in their role as new mothers.
From their experience working with children with disabilities, Lee Ann and Mara realized that women needed a community to help them figure out how to manage their new schedules, learn how to support their children's development, and help them adjust to their new bodies. Unfortunately, no support was available to address these issues. Four years later, Maternal Insights was born to provide this much-needed support to new mothers and their families in the community.
At Maternal Insights, we are passionate about maternal health. Whether you are an expectant first-time mother or veteran of parenthood, we believe we can offer additional support to make your life a bit easier, and your time with your new baby more enjoyable. Professionals who understand the value of occupational therapy services in maternal health can provide the best resources and referrals to their patients and clients. Occupational therapy professionals who want to know more about how they can support women in their journey into parenthood can learn from our experiences. Let us share our passion with you!
Lee Ann Kern, BS, OTR
Lee Ann is the mother of three children, Johnny, Brian and Erin.
Lee Ann received her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from Utica College. After two years working with adults in New York City, Lee Ann transitioned to working with children. During her years as an occupational therapist, she as worked in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and early intervention. In addition to working with a wide variety of clinical populations, Lee Ann spent a great deal of time training parents, teachers, and occupational therapy students completing fieldwork. In 2013, Lee Ann took on a new challenge when she became an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University. Currently, Lee Ann is an early intervention service provider in Morris County, New Jersey. |
Mara Podvey, PhD, OTR
Mara is the mother of two children, Daniel and Brynn, and step-mother to Hannah.
Mara received her master's degree in occupational therapy from Seton Hall University in 2000. Her clinical career has included positions in schools, clinics, camps, and private practice. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Mara received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Rutgers University. In 2009, Mara earned a Ph.D. in occupational therapy from New York University. Her early research examined the experiences of families during early the childhood transition from early intervention to preschool special education. Currently, she is a faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Seton Hall University where her clinical and scholarly focus is on maternal health. Mara is also the co-author of a developmentally-based scissors skills development program called SNiPS. |
© Maternal Insights, LLC 2017 All Rights Reserved