Liezl de la Cruz, MSN, CPNP-PC

Liezl de la Cruz, MSN, CPNP-PC, is an experienced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in outpatient care for high-risk NICU infants. She provides follow-up care for children at increased risk for neurodevelopmental conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism, focusing on early intervention strategies that leverage neuroplasticity. Liezl is committed to holistic, patient-centered care and works closely with families to ensure that children receive the therapies and support necessary for optimal developmental outcomes.

Liezl’s career in healthcare began with a focus on research and pediatrics. Initially on a physician track, she discovered her passion for patient interaction while working on clinical trials in pediatric liver transplant care at the Medical University of South Carolina. Encouraged by mentors to pursue further education, she earned her BSN and MSN in Pediatric Primary Care from Emory University and transitioned into her current role as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Her clinical background spans hospital-based research, hepatology, transplant care, and outpatient pediatric practice, equipping her with a unique perspective on both the science and human aspects of healthcare.

Currently, Liezl is completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at MUSC while preparing to pursue a PhD, with research interests in autism, the microbiome, and the social determinants of health. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the barriers that affect families’ access to care, such as transportation, resources, and socioeconomic factors. Recognized as an influential healthcare professional in Georgia, Liezl is dedicated to advancing pediatric care, mentoring young professionals, and giving back to her community through research and clinical excellence.

• CPNP-PC

• Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University - MS