Anna M. Cruz, PsyD, BCB: Psychiatry

Anna M. Cruz, PsyD, BCB

Assistant Professor

Department: Psychiatry

Research &
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Background
Media/Publications/
Presentations
Patient
Care

Education

PsyD – Widener University
MA – Widener University
BS – Lehigh University

Postgraduate Training / Additional Certifications

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Board Certified Biofeedback Associate and Mentor
Pennsylvania Licensed School Psychologist

Other Languages Spoken

Spanish

Dr. Cruz provides assessment, consultation and behavioral and psychotherapeutic treatment across outpatient, primary and specialty care settings at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Currently, at St Christopher’s Hospital, Dr. Cruz is involved in direct clinical integration of behavioral health and primary care service, while also leading several pilot projects to support the expansion of psychology support across hospital programs. Dr. Cruz has extensive experience in neurodevelopmental assessment and currently supports two clinical initiatives to provide high-quality developmental evaluations in collaboration with the infant/toddler and preschool age early intervention systems. Dr. Cruz is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Clinical Services

Assessment and treatment of pediatric behavioral, mood and trauma disorders, Assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, Behavioral support for children and adolescents with chronic illness, Consultation within primary and specialty care settings

Internships

Doctoral Intern, Widener University - Rotation at Child Guidance Resource Center (July 2017-July 2019)

Fellowships

Pediatric Psychology Fellowship - Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (September 2019-September 2020)

Affiliated Hospitals

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Anna M. Cruz, PsyD, BCB is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at 91��Ƭ��.

Dr. Cruz is a pediatric psychologist, board certified biofeedback associate, and licensed school psychologist with previous training in inpatient and ambulatory pediatric behavioral medicine as well as outpatient therapy and assessment. Dr. Cruz participates in direct psychology resident supervision as part of the St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Psychology Doctoral Internship program, along with precepting pediatric residents, fellows and medical students.

Dr. Cruz’s clinical and research interests include the exploration of factors that affect medical and behavioral health treatment adherence, the screening and assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, the application of biofeedback and neurofeedback, and implementation of evidence-based practices within an integrated care setting. As a bilingual psychologist, Dr. Cruz also has a professional interest in the identification and treatment of mental health disorders within the Latinx community.

Publications

“Developmental Screening and Assessment of Infants within a Primary Care Medical-Home Based NICU Follow-Up Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pa.”
Folasade K., Cruz, A., Turchi, R., Garvin, B., Rajendran, L.
(2022)

“Impact of the Modified Atkins Diet Upon Behavior and Fecal Microbiome in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome”
Scheimann, A., Kossoff E.H., Krekel, C., Barron, B., Cruz, A., Schwimmer B., Getzoff, E., Felix, G., White, J., Sears, CY.
Published Manuscript, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Baltimore, Md. (2021)

“Biofeedback as an Intervention to Increase Self-Regulation in School-Aged Children in an Urban Charter School”
Cruz, A., Masterpasqua, F., Calvert-Hirt, P., Boyer, B.
ProQuest Publishing 13896775 (2019)

Presentations

“From InCK to Implementation: Application of an Integrative Care Model in an Urban Pediatric Setting”
Cruz, A., Garvin, B., Richter J., Jaison, K.
Research Symposium on Parental Behavioral Health. Philadelphia, Pa. (2023)

“From InCK to Implementation: Application of an Integrative Care Model in an Urban Pediatric Setting”
Cruz, A., Fleischer, N., Richter, J, Cruz, I.
Developing and Researching Advanced Models of Integrated Primary Care Conference. Wilmington, Del. (2023)

“Funding an Intergenerational Model of Service Delivery in Philadelphia: Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model”
Cruz, A., Fleischer, Kaplan, K., N., Richter, J, Jasion, K., Turchi, R.
Emerging Minds and Monash University Research Symposium on Child, Parent and Family Mental Health. Hybrid, Australia (2023)

“Perinatal Characteristics and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in a Medical Home for NICU Graduates”
Rajendran, L., Cruz, A., Kehinde, F., Garvin, B., Diallo, B., Mossabeb R., Turchi, R.
Gravens Conference on the Environment of Care for High-Risk Newborns. PAC/LAC (2023)

“Focused Assessment of Cognitive and Motor Development in Preterm Infants within a NICU Follow-Up Program”
Rajendran, L., Cruz, A., Kehinde, F., Garvin, B., Diallo, B., Mossabeb R., Turchi, R.
Discovery Day Research Day. 91��Ƭ�� (2022)

“Using Biofeedback Interventions to Teach Self-Regulation Skills”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for psychology graduate students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2022)

“Suicide, Risk Assessment, and Safety Planning”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for medical residents at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (2021)

“Behavioral Activation and Intervention”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for psychology interns and medical residents at Geisinger Health System (2021)

“Goal Setting Strategies to Increase Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Goal Achievement”
Cruz, A.
Group presentation for adolescents and their families at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (2020)

“Biofeedback as an Intervention to Teach Self-Regulation within Pediatric Setting”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for medical staff at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (2019 and 2020)

“Biofeedback as an Intervention to Increase Self-Regulation in School-Aged Children in an Urban Charter School”
Cruz, A., Masterpasqua, F., Calvert-Hirt, P., Boyer, B.
Poster session presented at Widener University Research Day. Chester, Pa. (2019)

“Biofeedback as an Intervention to Teach Self-Regulation”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for psychology staff at Child Guidance Resource Centers (2018 and 2019)

“Biofeedback as an Intervention to Teach Self-Regulation”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for school staff at Widener Partnership Charter School (2018)

“Self-Regulation and Self-Care in Female Adolescence”
Cruz, A.
Presentation for female adolescences at an afterschool program on behalf of Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (2017)

* This physician's clinical practice is independent of 91��Ƭ��.

Contact Information

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
160 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: 215.427.5000
Fax: 215.427.5555

Department of Psychiatry

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College of Medicine