Boys Town is pleased to announce that Krystal Werfel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has been named the new Director of the Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning at Boys Town National Research Hospital, effective April 20th. Dr. Werfel is a Senior Scientist with the Center and directs the Oral and Written Language Lab.
“I am honored to be able to continue the legacy built by previous directors, Drs. Karla McGregor and Mary Pat Moeller, and lead the Center in changing the way America cares for children with language difficulties and their families,” said Dr. Werfel. “The Center has a strong legacy of research on language and literacy development for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and children with developmental language disorder.”
Before joining Boys Town in 2021, Dr. Werfel was an associate professor and directed the Written Language Lab at the University of South Carolina. She has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from the University of Tennessee and completed her master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University, where she researched the language basis of literacy in children with language disorders and children with hearing loss.
Her research at Boys Town has focused specifically on identifying early predictors of literacy for children with hearing loss and designing and optimizing early intervention that may prevent later literacy difficulties. Her work has also deepened the understanding of preschool language and emergent literacy difficulties for children with hearing loss, as well as intervention modifications that are effective for this group.
“Dr. Werfel has established herself as a leading scientist in the study of language and literacy in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, which closely aligns with the legacy of research, clinical and educational services within the Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning at Boys Town,” said Ryan McCreery, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Boys Town National Research Hospital. “She has demonstrated strong leadership capabilities, and her vision for the Center aligns with our institutional mission.”
As Director, Dr. Werfel plans to build on the Center’s international reputation as a center of excellence for applied research, early education and clinical services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and children with developmental language disorder.
“The Center stands at the forefront in transforming research, educational and clinical practice for children with language difficulties, and collaborations within the Center fuel innovation and excellence. Our scientists are breaking new ground in understanding how language difficulties affect children, including those who are deaf and hard of hearing, those with developmental language disorder and those exposed to adversity,” she said.
“Looking ahead, my vision is to strengthen and expand that legacy by building up a multidisciplinary research center that drives innovation in identifying and treating language disorders and ensures that cutting-edge research is rapidly translated to clinical and educational practice. It is exciting to see how the Center is not only advancing the science but also making a difference for children and their families.”
