INVITED SPEAKER
1. An up-to-date on pre-feeding interventions research to enhance oral feeding skills in at-risk infants during their stay in the NICU. Annual National Association of Neonatal Therapist Conference, Indianapolis, IN, March 2025.
2. Essentials skills for oral feeding in infants born preterm. Live Preemie Talks. The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, Toronto, ON, March 2025.
3. Pre-feeding interventions to enhance oral feeding skills in infants during their stay in the NICU. Live Preemie Talks. The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, Toronto, ON, March 2025.
4. A Parent’s Positive Touch Program, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, December 2023.
5. Oral feeding management in high-risk infants: from research evidence to clinical practice American Occupational Therapy Association, Specialty Conference: Children & Youth, December 2023.
6. Oral feeding in high-risk infants Research Seminars, Child Health and Human Development Program Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Montreal, QC, November 2022
7. Nourishing the neonate, Kingston Health Sciences Center, Kingston, ON, June 2020.
8. Oral feeding in high-risk infants, Pediatric Grand Rounds, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, May 2018.
9. Expert panelist on “Cue Based Nipple Feeding Infants” at the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses conference, Ottawa, ON, May 2017.
10. The effect of a pre-feeding oral stimulation program on the oral feeding performance of preterm infants. Occupational Therapy Seminar, Occupational Therapy Department, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, December 2003.
11. Efficacy of Oral-Motor Interventions in Preterm Infants. Current Topics in Pediatrics: From Science to Practice, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, January 2003.
12. Oral stimulation and feeding performance of preterm infants. Rehabilitation Seminar Series, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, QC, June 2001.
13. The effect of an oral stimulation program on the feeding performance of preterm infants. Rehabilitation Seminar Series, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, January 2001.
14. The effect of a prefeeding oral stimulation program on the oral feeding performance of preterm infants. Neonatology Conference Series, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, June 2000.
15. The effect of an early oral stimulation program on the feeding performance of preterm infants born between 26-29 weeks gestational age. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Seminar Series, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, June 2000.
MEDIA (Internal and External)
April 2022New funding for innovative health sciences research, News & Announcements, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University
April 2022Funding to advance bold, innovative research programs, Queen’s Gazette
Nov 2017Researchers to study feeding difficulties in high-risk newborns, The Kingston Whig-Standard.
PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS (*Student presentation)
1. Smith L, Snider L, Fucile S. A novel virtual infant developmental abilities tool. Accepted American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 78th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LO, October 2025.
2. Fucile S, Smith L, Snider L. Eighteen months outcome of a parent-administered sensorimotor intervention in infants born preterm. Accepted American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 78th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LO, October 2025.
3. *Gravelle S, Batorowicz B, Fucile S. Conceptualizations of assistive technology in occupational therapy: a scoping review. Canadian Occupational Therapy Association, Edmonton, AL, May 2025.
4. Fucile S, Alguire A, Kowalcyzk J. Occupational therapy practice for oral feeding in preterm infants. Canadian Occu
5. Fucile S. A parent-administered sensorimotor intervention improves oral feeding outcomes in preterm born infants. Feeding Matters Conference, Phoenix, AZ, February 2025.
6. Fucile S, Smith L, Dow K. An Innovative, virtual approach, to evaluating developmental milestones in infants with complex health conditions. American Occupational Therapy Association: Specialty Conference: Children & Youth Template, Seattle, WA, December 2024.
7. *Alguire A, Kowalczyk J, Patel H, Fucile S. Oral feeding management practices across Canadian neonatal intensive care units. Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses. Montreal, QC, November 2024.
8. Fucile S, Snider L, Dow K. A follow-up study on the outcomes of infants born preterm at 4 months after participating in a parent-delivered intervention program in the NICU. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 77th Annual Meeting, Quebec City, QC, October 2024
9. Fucile S, Snider L, O’Brian K, Dow K. Effect of a parent administered sensorimotor program on developmental outcomes in premature infants. National Association of Neonatal Nurses 40th Annual Conference. Orlando, FL, September 2024.
10. Fucile S, Snider L, O’Brian K, Dow K. A parent's positive touch program enhances developmental outcomes in infants who are born preterm: A randomized clinical trial. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy Annual conference, Halifax, NS, May 2024.
11. Fucile S, Snider L, O’Brian K, Dow K. Developmental outcomes of preterm infants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a parent administered sensorimotor intervention in the NICU. American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire, Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, March 2024.
12. Fucile S, Snider L, O’Brian K, Dow K. A Parent’s Positive Touch Program in the NICU. Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses, Toronto, ON, October 2023.
13. Fucile S, Snider L, O’Brian K, Dow K. Outcome of preterm infants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a parent administered sensorimotor intervention, accepted in American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 77th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, September 2023.
14. Fucile S & Wong A, The effect of a story-telling refocusing intervention on parental stress in parents with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Canadian Psychological Association 84th Annual National Convention, Toronto, ON, June 2023.
15. Fucile S & Dow, Sucking measures to identify premature infants having with difficulty feeding. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Saskatoon, SA, May 2023.
16. Fucile S & Dow K. Sucking measures to identify preterm infants with oral feeding difficulties. Dysphagia Research Society, San Francisco, CL, March 2023.
17. Fucile S & Dow K. Identification of sucking measure(s) to detect premature infants with difficulty achieving independent oral feeds. Hot Topics in Neonatology, Washington, MY, December 2022.
18. Fucile S & Dow K. Clinical Sucking Measure (s) to Identify Premature Infants Experiencing Difficulty Transitioning to Independent Oral Feeds. American Council of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chicago, IL, October 2022.
19. Fucile S, Robinson L, Heng L. The development trajectory of oral feeding problems in premature infants accepted at the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 75th Annual Meeting, Virtual conference, October 2021.
20. *Nagy S, Dow K, Fucile S. Oral feeding performances in infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses, Virtual Conference, June 2021.
21. Fucile S, Wener E, Dow K. Impact of direct breastfeeding establishment on length of time to transition from tube to oral feeds and hospitalization in premature infants. Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses Virtual Conference, June 2021.
22. Fucile S, Dow K. Development of a nipple monitoring device for the evaluation of oral feeding skills in infants who are in the neonatal intensive care unit, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Virtual Conference, May 2021.
23. *Wener E, Dow K, Fucile S. Effect of establishing exclusive breastfeeding on hospital discharge in infants born preterm. Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses, accepted 2020 conference cancelled.
24. Fucile S, Dow K. Identification of sucking measures to predict infants who may experience difficulties in achieving independent oral feeds Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses, accepted 2020 conference cancelled.
25. *D’Costa R, Gallipoli A, Fucile S, Dickson B, Dow K. A standardized daily feeding protocol improves nutrition and overall health in premature low-birth-weight infants, American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition (Virtual Conference), March 2020.
26. Fucile S, Dow K. Identification of sucking measures to predict infants who may experience difficulties in achieving independent oral feeds American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 74th Annual Meeting (Virtual conference), New Orleans, Louisiana, September 2020.
27. *D’Costa R, Gallipoli A, Fucile S, Dickson B, Dow K. A standardized daily feeding protocol improves nutrition and overall health in premature low-birth-weight infants, Canadian Pediatric Societies, Toronto, ON, June 2020.
28. *Reitzel N, Dow K, Fucile S. Enhancing breastfeeding establishment in the NICU: A randomized clinical trial of two non-nutritive sucking approaches, Canadian Pediatric Societies, Toronto, ON, June 2019.
29. Fucile S, Reitzel N, Dow K. Improving breastfeeding establishment in the NICU: A randomized clinical trial of two non-nutritive sucking approaches, Pediatric Academic Societies, Baltimore, MA, April 2019.
30. *Reitzel N, Dow K, Fucile S. Enhancing breastfeeding establishment in the NICU: A randomized clinical trial of two non-nutritive sucking approaches, Canadian Pediatric Societies, Toronto, ON, June 2019.
31. Khurshid F, Brittany D, D’Costa, Gallipoli A, Fucile S, Dow D. Supporting premature infant nutrition, EPIC meeting, Toronto, ON, March 2019.
32. *D’Costa R, Gallipoli A, Fucile S, Dickson B, Dow K. A standardized daily feeding protocol improves nutrition and overall health in premature low-birth-weight infants, 31st Annual National Pediatirc Resident and Fellow Competition, Vancouver, BC, May 2019
33. *Oostlander S, Falla J, Dow K, Fucile S. An Emerging Role for Occupational Therapists in the Management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists, Toronto, ON, October 2018.
34. Fucile S, Phillips S, Bishop K, Jackson M, Yuzdepski T, Dow K. Identification of a pivotal period in the oral feeding progression in preterm infants, Pediatric Academic Societies, Toronto, ON, April 2018.
35. *Casey L, Fucile S, Dow K, Determinants of successful direct breastfeeding at hospital discharge in high-risk premature infants, Pediatric Academic Societies, Toronto, ON, April 2018.
36. Fucile S, Milutinov M, Dow D. Effect of sensorimotor intervention on breastfeeding establishment, EPIC meeting, Toronto, ON, March 2018.
37. * Haiyang Xu J, Coo H, Fucile S, Ng E, Ting J, Shah P, Dow K. Current Enteral Feeding Practices in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Pediatric Academic Societies, Toronto, ON, April 2018.
38. Fucile S, Milutinov M, Dow K, Improving preterm infants’ ability to successfully breastfeed. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Montreal, QC, June 2017.
39. Fucile S, Milutinov M, Dow K, Early oral sensorimotor interventions enhance breastfeeding establishment in preterm infants. Pediatric Academic Societies, San Francisco, CA, April 2017.
40. Lau C, Fucile S, Schanler RJ. Preterm Infants Have More Mature Oral Feeding Skills Than We Think! Pediatric Academic Societies’, Seattle, WA, April 2013.
41. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Effect of pre-feeding sensori-motor interventions on preterm infants’ oral feeding skills. Dysphagia Research Society, New Orleans, LA October 2009.
42. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Effect of a sensori-motor interventions on the oral feeding performance of preterm infants. Canadian Society for Life Science Research, Montreal, QC, July 2007.
43. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Effect of a pre-feeding sensori-motor interventions on preterm infants’ oral feeding skills. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Vancouver, BC, October 2007.
44. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Schanler RJ, Lau C. Use of a vacuum-free bottle enhances preterm infants’ nutritive sucking skills. Pediatric Academic Societies, San Francisco, CA, April 2006.
45. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Schanler RJ, Lau C. Vacuum-free bottle facilitate preterm infants’ nutritive sucking skills. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Boston, MA, September 2006.
46. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. The effect of a non-nutritive oral stimulation intervention on the maturation of sucking skills of preterm infants. Dysphagia Research Society, Montreal, QC, October 2004.
47. Liptak GS, Fried R, Fucile S, Baltus-Hebert L, Eyer S, Doremus TL. Do grip and pinch predict neurological dysfunction in children with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, September 2004.
48. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. The effect of a pre-feeding oral stimulation program on the feeding performance of preterm infants born between 26-29 weeks gestational age. 4th Graz Symposium on Developmental Neurology: ‘What we all need to know about brain development’. Graz, Austria, April 2003.
49. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. The effect of an oral stimulation program on the feeding performance of preterm infants. 8th Research Colloquium in Rehabilitation, McGill University, Montreal, QC, March 2001.
50. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Oral stimulation accelerates the transition from tube to oral feeding in preterm infants. Pediatric Academic Societies’, Baltimore, MA, April 2001.
51. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau, C. The effect of a prefeeding oral stimulation program on the oral feeding performance of preterm infants. Dysphagia Research Society, Savannah, GA, October 2000.
52. Fucile S, Gisel, EG. Aging and Oral Motor Function: Oral-Motor Skills of Healthy Elderly Persons. Faculty of Medicine Student Research Day, McGill University, Montreal, QC, December 199
NON PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS (*Student presentation)
1. *McParlan A, Niss T, Fucile S. Four-Month Outcomes of Infants Enrolled in a Parent-Administered Sensorimotor Intervention RCT. Pediatric Research Day, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, November 2024.
2. Fucile S. Developmental outcomes of preterm infants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a parent administered sensorimotor intervention. Pediatric Research Day, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, November 2024.
3. *Fridman E, Dephoure E, Fucile S. Parental Administered Sensorimotor Intervention: Exploring its Impact on Parental Stress, Self-Efficacy and Satisfaction in the NICU Environment, QHS Research Day, July 2024.
4. *Lopes S, Murray-MacDonaold K, Elyanna W, Fucile S. The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 infectious disease on breastfeeding rates in infants who are born preterm. Pediatric Research Day, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, November 2023.
5. *Wong A & Fucile S, The effect of a story-telling refocusing intervention on parental stress in parents with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, Rehabilitation Research Colloquium, McGill-Queen’s University, virtual conference, June 2023.
6. * Cooper M, Pan L, Fucile S. National survey of Canadian NICU lactation services. 2nd Annual Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2023.
7. * Ghimire S & Fucile S. Infant developmental assessments an up-to-date on psychometric properties Submitted to Developmental Neurorehabilitation. 2nd Annual Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2023.
8. *Pam L & Fucile S. An Examination of the Benefits of Lactation Consultant Support in NICUs for Mothers and their Newborn: A Scoping Review. 2nd Annual Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2023.
9. *Wong A & Fucile S, The effect of a story-telling refocusing intervention on parental stress in parents with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, Rehabilitation Science Seminar Series, Queen’s University, January 2023.
10. *Wong A & Fucile S. The Effect of a Story-Telling Attention Refocusing (STAR) Intervention on Parental Stress in Parents with Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Pediatric Research Day, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, November 2022.
11. *Cooper M, Pan L, Fucile S. National survey of Canadian NICU lactation services. Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, November 2022.
12. *Al-Ani R, Maclean G, Fucile S. Are medical students ready to use evidence-based practice after graduation? Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2022.
13. Fucile S & Dow K. Development and testing of a nipple monitoring device for the evaluation of oral feeding skills in infants. Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2022.
14. *Hirtz K, Lau M, Hall A, Fucile, S. A scoping review of maternal stress reducing interventions to enhance their well being during their stay in the NICU. Inaugural Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2022.
15. *Wilson H, Sheikh-Mohamed S, Fucile, S. Exploring interventions to enhance oral feeding readiness in preterm infants: A scoping review. Inaugural Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2022.
16. Woo Min K, Mensinga S, Fucile S. Outcomes of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) who are in the NICU. Inaugural Queen’s OT Research Symposium, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, March 2022.
17. *Nagy S, Dow K, Fucile S. Impact of parental engagement programs on ER visits and hospital readmissions, 15th Annual Inquiry at Queen`s, March 2021.
18. *Al-Ani R, Maclean G, Fucile S. The readiness of graduate health science students in using evidence-based practice. Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2020.
19. *Farren-Dai L, Khurshid F, Fucile S. Developmental screening in Canadian level III NICUs: An explorative survey Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2020.
20. *Nagy S, Dow K, Fucile S. Oral Feeding outcomes of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome, 14th Annual Inquiry at Queen`s, March 2020.
21. *D’Costa R, Gallipoli A, Fucile S, Dickson B, Dow K. A standardized daily feeding protocol improves nutrition and overall health in premature low-birth-weight infants, Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2019.
22. *Lehan E, Dow K, Fucile S. Family Integrated Care and outcome on hospital readmission and emergency room visits. Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2019.
23. Fucile S, Milutinov M, Dow K. Oral sensorimotor intervention improves breastfeeding establishment in preterm infants, Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2018.
24. *Reitzel N, Fucile S, Dow K. Effect of non-nutritive sucking to enhance breastfeeding in infants who are born prematurely, Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2018.
25. *Casey L, Dow K, Fucile S. Determinants of successful direct breastfeeding at hospital discharge in high-risk premature infants, Pediatric Research Day, Kingston, ON, April 2018.
26. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Effect of Early Sensori-motor Interventions on Preterm Infants’ Oral Feeding Skills Neonatology Research Conference Series, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, March 2006.
27. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. Transition to oral feeding in pre-term infants. Rehabilitation Seminar Series, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, March 2004.
28. Fucile S, Gisel EG, Lau C. The effect of an oral stimulation program on the sucking performance of preterm infants. Research in Rehabilitation Symposium, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, June 2004.