Hall of Excellence
Today the majority of women in North America choose to breastfeed. This choice reflects the support and hard work of lactation consultants who devote themselves to helping women breastfeed successfully. These dedicated professionals make the difference for new moms, and Medela is honored to work with them and to support their efforts in promoting breastfeeding.
A special thank you to the many nominators that spoke so highly and congratulations to the elite group of nominees. You all are demonstrations of excellence every day. Thank You.
2008-2009 Lactation Consultant Hall of Excellence Inductees
Julie Ware, MD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC, RLC
Cordova, Tennessee
Inductee Julie Ware, MD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC, a certified lactation consultant since 1996, is immediate past Chief Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator of the American Academy of Pediatrics where she acted as a liaison between 78 Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinators across the country. She also helped to establish the Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition in 2007, joining community organizations to help raise breastfeeding rates and assist breastfeeding mothers. Ware also provides training to local pediatric practices and coordinates exhibits and breastfeeding classes for the public. "I definitely think this recognition will raise awareness of the importance of the need for specialization in lactation education to help mothers and babies succeed in their efforts to breastfeed, both in my community and at large."
Karen Dietzen, RN, IBCLC
UCD Medical Center
Sacramento, California
Inductee Karen Dietzen, RN, IBCLC, a lactation consultant for more than 20 years. She was a founding member and President of the ALTA CA Lactation Consultant Association and one of the original members fo the Breastfeeding Promotion Advisory Committee for the California State Department of Health where she has worked to increase awareness of lactation consultants as valuable members of the overall health team. As a Lactation Program Coordinator at UC David Health System, Dietzen has developed numerous in-patient components of lactation services including the mentoring of nurses and lactation students as part of her plan for accurate, supportive lactation guidance throughout the continuum of care. Karen, who is active in fostering an environment of learning for the multidisciplinary staff at UC Davis and has recently led efforts for the facility to become a Baby Friendly Hospital says, "I hope this recognition will be an opportunity to increase attention about the importance of lactation support in our community and how effective it can be in improving breastfeeding rates."
Carole Peterson, MS, IBCLC
Indiana WIC Program
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Inductee Carole Peterson, MS, IBCLC, a lactation consultant for more than 20 years, has worked to make breastfeeding a priority for the WIC program and its participants. She has served as a member of the Indiana State Breastfeeding Committee, acted as a National WIC Association Breastfeeding Committee Chairperson, and is the NWA representative to the US Breastfeeding Committee. She is the Indiana WIC North Central Regional Coordinator for the Indiana WIC Program. She conducts monthly trainings for the WIC Peer Counselor Program. Carole has also tried to connect local hospitals and the WIC program to increase breastfeeding duration rates at over 65 hospitals in Indiana and in Illinois. Of the grant money awarded to her through the Lactation Consultant Hall of Excellence program, Peterson said, "I have established a trust fund to promote breastfeeding support, naming it after my daughter and grandson. This tax deductible foundation will allow myself and others to contribute money in support of breastfeeding. In doing so, I hope to be able to provide scholarships for people to become board certified lactation consultants and also to create programs that will really help support moms once they are at home."
