Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Medical Director
Dr. Ayala graduated University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden Cooper University Hospital as an adult psychiatrist. He then continued his education for child and adolescent psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program. After years in the field, Dr. Ayala established his own practice in 2010; Ayala Child and Adolescent Psychiatry where he continues to practice. Dr Ayala’s love for evidence based medicine has lead him to present at national psychiatric conferences in San Diego. Dr. Ayala is bilingual and is able to conduct his appointment in both English and Spanish. He also provides Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at Ayala Children & Adolescent Psychiatry. As the medical director, he is readily available to all providers for treatment consultations and collaborates closely with clinicians to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care.
Gilda Ayala APN, graduated Thomas Jefferson University Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009 and received her Master’s in Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care in 2011. As a nurse, Gilda was involved in leadership and policy initiates. She has also presented her research at conferences. Gilda then continued her education at John Hopkins University completing her Post Master’s in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. In 2013, she joined Ayala Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has been part of the practice ever since. Gilda also was an adjunct clinical professor/instructor at Thomas Jefferson University prior to joining Ayala Child & Adolescent Psychiatry full-time.
Frahnie Pierre APN, graduated from Temple University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2003. She has 18 years of nursing experience at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she has worked with the pediatric behavioral health population in an acute care unit and has also spent several months working at a partial hospitalization day program for children with emotional and behavioral issues. Her passion and empathy for trauma-informed care and behavioral health led her to become certified as a Crisis Prevention Institute Instructor in which she taught numerous hospital-wide classes on verbal de-escalation and non-violent intervention strategies. She graduated from Walden University with her Masters in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She worked directly with Dr. Omar Ayala and Gilda Ayala, APN during two of her clinical rotations and is now excited to be part of the Ayala Child & Adolescent Psychiatry team!
Shauna Freeman APN, started her career as a registered nurse after receiving her Associates of Science in Nursing from Helene Fuld School of Nursing in New Jersey in 2009. In 2010, she graduated with a Bachelors of Nursing Science from Thomas Edison University. Subsequently she commenced her career as a nurse specializing in cardiac and progressive care units within hospital systems in south New Jersey. In 2014, she transitioned to a position as a mental health nurse where she discovered her aptitude for fostering interpersonal relationships with patients and the pressing need for psychiatric services.
Shauna’s professional journey encompasses a decade of experience working with children adolescents and adults in inpatient hospitals across South Jersey including Inspira Health Hospital, Jefferson-Cherry Hill Hospital and Ancora Psychiatric Hospital. Her observations highlighted the heightened awareness of mental health disorders among the youth and adults and the need for treatment and education.
In 2024, Shauna graduated as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. Shauna received comprehensive training under Dr. Omar Ayala at this office for most of her clinical rotations in 2024 and she is delighted to join the esteemed Ayala team.
Darlene Ferrer APN, graduated from University of Delaware with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001. In 2008, she graduated from Richard Stockton University with a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Darlene continued her education at Wilkes University, completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wilkes University in 2017. Most of her nursing career has been in Hospital Emergency Departments where she has attended to a variety of patients with both physical and mental ailments. After finishing a Post Masters in Nursing from Spring Arbor University in 2024, she now practices as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Darlene is committed to providing individualized care for her patients at Ayala Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatry!
Rebecca Palumbo, APN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and adults.
She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Rowan University. Her diverse background allows her to take a well-rounded approach to mental health, considering the connection between mind, body, and environment.
She is especially passionate about working with families and creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard and understood.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, including their dogs and backyard chickens, and values a balanced, holistic approach to everyday life.
Ayala Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry. All rights reserved.
Created by DearDoc.