Dr. Kayla Bridges, DCN, RD-AP, CNSC, FAND is the Director of Medical & Scientific Affairs with more than 12 years of experience in pediatric and clinical nutrition. Her professional background includes direct patient care, clinical nutrition leadership, and scientific support roles, with a primary focus on neonatal and pediatric populations.

Dr. Bridges has worked extensively in neonatal intensive care and pediatric acute care settings. Her clinical experience includes providing nutrition support for preterm and critically ill infants, developing and monitoring enteral and parenteral nutrition regimens, and supporting nutrition care for pediatric patients with complex medical needs. She has participated in interdisciplinary care teams alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to support nutrition management across inpatient settings.

Her prior clinical roles were held at healthcare institutions including Carilion Clinic, Ascension Health System, and Beaumont Children’s Hospital–Royal Oak. In these settings, her responsibilities included clinical nutrition assessment, implementation of nutrition support therapies, and participation in quality and safety initiatives related to pediatric and neonatal nutrition care. Her work has also included involvement with centralized feeding and preparation processes within hospital systems.

Dr. Bridges earned her Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree from Rutgers University. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from West Virginia University. She completed dietetic training with an emphasis on clinical and pediatric nutrition practice. She is credentialed as a Registered Dietitian with Advanced Practice status and holds board certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In her current role, Dr. Bridges works in medical and scientific affairs, supporting activities related to clinical evidence review, scientific communication, and nutrition-focused education. Her work involves collaboration with internal and external stakeholders on topics related to pediatric nutrition, early life nutrition, and clinical research. She contributes to the evaluation and interpretation of nutrition science as it relates to clinical practice.

Dr. Bridges has participated in professional organizations related to clinical and pediatric nutrition and has contributed to professional education and research-related initiatives. Her career reflects sustained involvement in pediatric and neonatal nutrition across both clinical and scientific settings.