Paula Cruz, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, began her career as an operating room nurse at an adult community hospital, developing strong surgical and clinical skills. She joined Boston Children’s Hospital in 2016 as a pediatric operating room nurse, furthering her expertise in complex pediatric surgical care. In 2019, she transitioned to the Colorectal and Pelvic Malformation Center as an outpatient nurse, where she developed specialized skills in bowel management, patient education, and longitudinal care for children with anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung disease, and complex bowel dysfunction.

Paula later earned her Master of Science in Nursing and became a Family Nurse Practitioner, advancing into her current role within the same program. She now provides specialized, multidisciplinary, patient- and family-centered care with a focus on bowel management, postoperative care, and long-term follow-up. In addition to her clinical work, she is involved in national and international initiatives aimed at advancing pediatric colorectal care and nursing education, including global health collaborations.