Kristen "krisi" Brackett PhD, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Dr. Kristen “Krisi” Brackett, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, is a nationally recognized pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist, researcher, educator, and speaker with more than three decades of experience in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. She serves as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist and Speech-Language Pathologist with UNC Health and is widely regarded as a leader in interdisciplinary feeding care.

Dr. Brackett is a co-founder of the UNC Pediatric Feeding Team and the UNC Pediatric Dysphagia Team, pioneering an integrated medical, nutritional, and therapeutic model for the treatment of children with complex feeding challenges. Throughout her career, she has specialized in pediatric dysphagia, feeding disorders, modified barium swallow studies (MBSS), and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), helping thousands of children improve feeding function and quality of life.

She earned her PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where her research examined the impact of hypersensitive gagging in children with pediatric feeding disorders. Her scholarly interests focus on interdisciplinary approaches to pediatric feeding disorders and improving clinical outcomes through evidence-based, holistic care.

In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Brackett serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Yeshiva University, and UNC Greensboro. She is an internationally sought-after speaker and educator, presenting nationally and internationally on pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She is also the developer of the CAN-EAT Approach®, a widely recognized framework that integrates medical, nutritional, motor, and behavioral strategies for feeding intervention.

Dr. Brackett is the founder of Pediatric Feeding News, a respected educational resource dedicated to advancing knowledge in pediatric feeding and dysphagia. Through her clinical practice, teaching, research, and advocacy, she remains committed to improving care for children with feeding disorders and supporting healthcare professionals and families worldwide.