Marsha Gerdes, PhD

Marsha Gerdes, PhD, is a senior psychologist with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's PolicyLab.

Areas of Expertise: Early childhood psychologist, supporting inclusion of all children in childcare and preschool, supporting parents of young children, childcare navigation, neurodevelopmental outcome of high risk infants, phenotypic expression of 22q.2 deletion.
Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Internship

Wissahickon School District, Philadelphia, PA

Undergraduate Degree

BA in Psychology - Albion College, Albion, MIp

Graduate Degree

PhD in School Psychology - University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Philadelphia, PA
MEd in Psychological Services - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Senior Psychologist, PolicyLab

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

PolicyLab

Dr. Gerdes’ clinical and research interests include neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with preterm birth and congenital abnormalities. Her focus also includes universal early childhood developmental and behavioral screening, including children of immigrant and refugee families, expanding the focus of screening to ensure that early identification leads to services, and also encouraging a preschool experience for all children to support school readiness.

Her work with preventive interventions and services for young children at risk includes services for children with mothers who are depressed and also children whose challenging behaviors placed them at risk for expulsion from childcare. Her approach to research has an emphasis of building community partnerships and bridging research to practice and policy change.

Papers

2022

Blackson, E. A., Gerdes, M., Segan, E., Anokam, C., & Johnson, T. J. (2022). Racial bias toward children in the early childhood education setting. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 1476718X221087051.

Wallis, K.E., Nekrasova, E., Bennett, A.E., Fiks, A.G., Gerdes, M., Jenssen, B.P., Miller, J.S., Shu, D. and Guthrie, W., 2022. Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Large Primary Care Network. Academic Pediatrics.

2021

James P. Guevara M.D., M.P.H. , Danielle Erkoboni M.D. ,Marsha Gerdes Ph.D. , Sherry Winston M.S. , Danielle Sands M.P.H. , Kirsten Rogers B.S., Trude Haecker M.D. , Manuel E. Jimenez M.D., M.S.H.P. , Alan L. Mendelsohn M.D. , Promoting Early Literacy Using Digital Devices: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Academic Pediatrics (2021),doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.05.013

Gerdes, M., Anokam, C., Blackson, E., Segan, E., Mahar, M., Huertas, B., Lewis, B., & Richards, C. (2021). Adaptability and resilience in early childhood education during a pandemic: Meeting challenges, maintaining quality, and creating networks of support. ZERO TO THREE Journal, 41(4), 17–24.

Kim, F., Bernbaum, J., Connelly, J., Gerdes, M., Hedrick, H. L., Hoffman, C., ... & DeMauro, S. B. (2021). Survival and developmental outcomes of neonates treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A 10-year single-center experience. The Journal of Pediatrics, 229, 134-140.

2020

Wallis, K.E., Guthrie, W., Bennett, A.E., Gerdes, M., Levy, S.E., Mandell, D.S. and Miller, J.S., 2020. Adherence to screening and referral guidelines for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers in pediatric primary care. PloS one, 15(5), p.e0232335.

Guevara, J.P., Erkoboni, D., Gerdes, M., Winston, S., Sands, D., Rogers, K., Haecker, T., Jimenez, M.E. and Mendelsohn, A.L., 2020. Effects of Early Literacy Promotion on Child Language Development and Home Reading Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Pediatrics: X, 2, p.100020.

Farley, A.M., Gallop, R.J., Brooks, E.S., Gerdes, M., Bush, M.L. and Young, J.F., 2020. Identification and management of adolescent depression in a Large Pediatric Care Network. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 41(2), pp.85-94

Faith Kim MD, Judy Bernbaum MD, James Connelly BS, RRT-NPS, Marsha Gerdes PhD, Holly L. Hedrick MD, Casey Hoffman PhD, Natalie E. Rintoul MD, Kristina Ziolkowski CMA (AAMA) and Sara B. DeMauro MD, MSCE. Survival and Developmental Outcomes of Neonates Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience. Journal of Pediatrics, The, 2021-02-01, Volume 229, Pages 134-140.e3, Copyright © 2020

Solot CB, Moore TM, Crowley TB, Gerdes M, Moss E, Emanuel BS, Zackai EH, Gallagher S, Calkins M, Ruparel K, Gur RC, McDonald-McGinn D, Gur RE. Early language measures associated with later psychosis features in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics 27 Jul 2020, 183(6):392-400

2019

Guthrie, W., Wallis, K., Bennett, A., Brooks, E., Dudley, J., Gerdes, M., Pandey, J., Levy, S.E., Schultz, R.T. and Miller, J.S., 2019. Accuracy of autism screening in a large pediatric network. Pediatrics, 144(4), p.e20183963.

Martin, V., Brady, J.M., Wade, K., Gerdes, M. and DeMauro, S.B., 2019. Timing of Referral to Early Intervention Services in Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Clinical pediatrics, 58(11-12), pp.1224-1231.

Yun, K., Jenicek, G. and Gerdes, M., 2019. Overcoming language barriers in mental and behavioral health care for children and adolescents—policies and priorities. JAMA pediatrics, 173(6), pp.511-512

Danzer, E., Hoffman, C., Miller, J.S., D'Agostino, J.A., Schindewolf, E.M., Gerdes, M., Bernbaum, J., Adams, S.E., Rintoul, N.E., Herkert, L.M. and Taylor, L., 2019. Autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental delays in children with giant omphalocele. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 54(9), pp.1771-1777

Gerdes, M., Garcia-Espana, J.F., Webb, D., Friedman, K., Winston, S. and Culhane, J., 2019. Psychometric properties of two developmental screening instruments for Hispanic children in the Philadelphia region. Academic pediatrics, 19(6), pp.638-645.

2018

Grasty, M.A., Ittenbach, R.F., Knightly, C., Solot, C.B., Gerdes, M., Bernbaum, J.C., Wernovsky, G., Spray, T.L., Nicolson, S.C., Clancy, R.R. and Licht, D.J., 2018. Hearing loss after cardiac surgery in infancy: An unintended consequence of life-saving care. The Journal of pediatrics, 192, pp.144-151.

Danzer, E., Hoffman, C., D’Agostino, J.A., Miller, J.S., Waqar, L.N., Gerdes, M., Bernbaum, J.C., Rosenthal, H., Rintoul, N.E., Herkert, L.M. and Peranteau, W.H., 2018. Rate and risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 48(6), pp.2112-2121

Danzer, E., Hoffman, C., D’Agostino, J.A., Connelly, J.T., Waqar, L.N., Gerdes, M., Bernbaum, J., Rintoul, N.E., Herkert, L.M., Peranteau, W.H. and Flake, A.W., 2018. Short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and timing of repair. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 19(1), pp.64-74.

Danzer, E., Hoffman, C., D’Agostino, J.A., Boelig, M.M., Gerdes, M., Bernbaum, J.C., Rosenthal, H., Waqar, L.N., Rintoul, N.E., Herkert, L.M. and Kallan, M.J., 2018. Short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in children born with high-risk congenital lung lesions. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 105(6), pp.1827-1834.

Brady, J.M., Pouppirt, N., Bernbaum, J., D'Agostino, J.A., Gerdes, M., Hoffman, C., Cook, N., Hurt, H., Kirpalani, H. and DeMauro, S.B., 2018. Why do children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia not attend neonatal follow‐up care? Parental views of barriers. Acta Paediatrica, 107(6), pp.996-1002.

2017

Danzer E, Hoffman C, , Gerdes M, Bernbaum J, Antiel RM, Rintoul NE, Herkert LM, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 years of age in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2017 Mar;52(3):437-443.

2016

Danzer E, Hoffman C, D'Agostino JA, Gerdes M, Bernbaum J, Antiel RM, Rintoul NE, Herkert LM, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 years of age in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Aug 30. pii: S0022-3468(16)30284-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2016.08.008.

Danzer E, Gerdes M, D’Agostino JA, Bernbaum J, Hoffman C, Herkert LM, Rintoul NE, Peranteau WH, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Younger gestational age is associated with increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome during infancy in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Jul;51(7):1084-90.

Danzer E, Thomas NH, Thomas A, Friedman KB, Gerdes M, Koh J, Adzick NS, Johnson MP. Long-term neurofunctional outcome, executive functioning, and behavioral adaptive skills following fetal myelomeningocele surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Feb;214(2):269.e1-8.

2015

Danzer E, Gerdes M, D'Agostino JA, Bernbaum J, Hoffman C, Herkert L, Rintoul NE, Peranteau WH, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Neurodevelopmental outcome at one year of age in congenital diaphragmatic hernia infants not treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Jun;50(6):898-903. doi: 10.1016.

Danzer E, Gerdes M, D’Agostino JA, Bernbaum J, Hoffman C, Rintoul NE, Herkert LM, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Patient characteristics are important determinants of neurodevelopmental outcome during infancy in giant omphalocele. Early Hum Dev. 2015 Mar;91(3):187-93.

2014

DeMauro S, D’Agostino J, Bann C, Bernbaum J, Gerdes M, Bell E, Carlo W, D’Angio C, Das A, Higgins R, Hintz S, Laptook A, Natarajan G, Nelin L, Poindexter B, Sanchez P, Shankaran S, Stoll B, Truog W, Van Meurs K, Vohr B, Walsh M, Kirpalani H. Developmental outcomes of very preterm infants with tracheostomies. J Pediatr. 2014. [Epub ahead of print]

Partridge EA, Bridge C, Donaher JG, Herkert LM, Grill E, Danzer E, Gerdes M, Hoffman CH, D’Agostino JA, Bernbaum JC, Rintoul NE, Peranteau WH, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Incidence and factors associated with sensorineural and conductive hearing loss among survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2014 Jun;49(6):890-4

2013

Danzer E, Gerdes M, D’Agostino JA, Hoffman C, Bernbaum J, Bebbington MW, Siegle J, Sulkowski J, Rintoul NE, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Longitudinal neurodevelopmental and neuromotor outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients in the first 3 years of life. J Perinatol. 2013 Nov;33(11):893-8.

2010

Gaynor JW, Gerdes M, Nord AS, Bernbaum J, Zackai E, Wernovsky G, et al. Is cardiac diagnosis a predictor of neurodevelopmental outcome after cardiac surgery in infancy? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2010 Dec;140(6):1230-7. Epub 2010 Oct 15. Cited in PubMed; PMCID: PMC3278908.

Danzer E, Gerdes M, Bernbaum J, D'Agostino J, Bebbington MW, Siegle J, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia prospectively enrolled in an interdisciplinary follow-up program. J Pediatr Surg. 2010 Sep;45(9):1759-66. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20850617.

Danzer E, Finkel R, Gerdes M, Schwartz EM, Rintoul NN, Adzick NS, et al. The relationship of seizure activity and chronic epilepsy in early infancy and short-term neurodevelopmental outcome following fetal myelomeningocele closure. Neuropediatrics. 2010 Jun;41(3):140-3. Epub 2010 Sep 21. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20859834.

Burnham N, Ittenbach RF, Stallings VA, Gerdes M, Zackai E, Bernbaum J, et al. Genetic factors are important determinants of impaired growth after infant cardiac surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2010 Jul;140(1):144-9. Epub 2010 Apr 9. Cited in PubMed; PMCID: PMC2909691.

Danzer E, Gerdes M, D'Agostino JA, Bernbaum J, Siegle J, Hoffman C, et al. Prospective, interdisciplinary follow-up of children with prenatally diagnosed giant omphalocele: short-term neurodevelopmental outcome. J Pediatr Surg. 2010 Apr;45(4):718-23. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20385277.

Danzer E, Gerdes M, Bebbington MW, Zarnow DM, Adzick NS, Johnson MP. Preschool neurodevelopmental outcome of children following fetal myelomeningocele closure. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 May;202(5):450.e1-9. Epub 2010 Mar 29. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20347433.

Books

1991

Bernbaum JC, Hoffman-Williamson [Gerdes] M: Primary Care of the Preterm Infant, St. Louis, Mosby-Yearbook Inc., 1991.

Chapter

2000

Gerdes M. Development/behavior. In: Bernbaum J, editor. Preterm infants in primary care: a guide to office management. Columbus: Abbott Laboratories; 2000.

2021, Dr. Susan S. Aronson Early Education and Child Care Advocacy Award, American Academy of Pediatrics
1975, Cum Laude, Albion College

Memberships in Professional Organizations

American Psychological Association
Society of Pediatric Psychology

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