Welcome to the Medela University

Several anatomical, metabolic, and psychosocial factors, not routinely identified in pregnancy are associated with reduced exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. Identification of pregnant women at high risk of low milk production creates a window for early targeted education and intervention. This screening in combination with point-of-care milk testing that can detect delayed secretory activation, breast inflammation or infection, and low milk production, directly informs lactation care that may optimize breastfeeding outcomes. These advances in clinical lactation practice are urgent due to the increasing prevalence of pregnancy complications that we have found to be associated with low milk production. Furthermore, it is critical that fundamental research is carried out to elucidate which biological mammary gland pathways are dysregulated during these complications in order to develop evidence-based interventions to improve lactation outcomes. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenter Prof. Donna T. Geddes, DMU, PhD Professor Geddes, from The University of Western Australia, is internationally renowned for her novel work with ultrasound imaging that has revolutionized the our understanding of the anatomy of the lactating breast, milk ejection and blood flow, as well as the infant’s sucking technique, suck-swallow-breathe co-ordination, gastric emptying and body composition of both the term and preterm infant. She has since expanded her range of research interests to include the synthesis and removal of milk from the breast, the composition of human milk and its impact on the growth and body composition of breastfed infants, the investigation of human milk metabolites and the search for biomarkers that are indicative of breast dysfunction. Read more

Embedded in this approach is evidence that the mammary gland undergoes essential programming during the first two weeks postpartum, which can be measured with biomarkers, and is essential to long-term mothers’ own milk (MOM) provision. Clinical strategies that target the early postpartum period will be highlighted, including species-specific mammary gland stimulation, monitoring of MOM biomarkers of secretory activation and assessment of coming to volume. Additionally, the distinction between impaired secretory differentiation and delayed/impaired secretory activation in this population will be discussed, with application to NICU mothers who have multiple inflammation-based morbidities that increase the risk for lactation problems. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenter Paula Meier PhD, RN Paula Meier, PhD, RN, is a Professor of Paediatrics and Nursing at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Meier has worked as a practitioner, researcher, and educator in the area of human milk, lactation and breastfeeding for premature infants and their mothers since 1975. Dr. Meier's lifetime research focus has been on the improvement of initiation and maintenance of lactation in breast pump-dependent mothers of NICU infants, and in the development and testing of clinical techniques to optimize the impact of human milk on health and cost outcomes in NICU infants. Most recently, she is the recipient of the 2022 Macy-Gyorgy Award from ISRHML, a biennial award that recognizes outstanding lifetime research contributions to human milk, lactation and breastfeeding. Read more

Breastfeeding provides immense health benefits for both infants and mothers. It is also acknowledged as a key strategy to improve public health; yet our exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal. In this course, we will discuss prenatal colostrum expression and collection as an intervention that has the potential to enhance breastfeeding outcomes. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenter Staci Gallman, RN, BSN, IBCLC Staci Gallman, a registered nurse and international board certified lactation consultant, began her career 11 years ago and has dedicated most of her profession to maternity and lactation specific care. She has been in nursing leadership since 2017 where she currently manages an inpatient and outpatient lactation program, prenatal education program and oversees the Baby Friendly designation at a level III hospital in South Carolina. Staci is involved with many local and statewide maternity and lactation specific initiatives and coalitions. Her experience, both professionally and personally birthed her deep passion surrounding the importance of prenatal preparedness for breastfeeding success. Staci believes that we do not have a problem with mothers desiring to breastfeed, but that our problem lies in mothers not being properly equipped as they step into their breastfeeding journeys for sustainability. This is validated through nationwide data confirming >80% initiation vs 25% sustained exclusivity at 6 months and >60% of mothers reporting their breastfeeding journeys ended sooner than they had planned. Staci believes that proper prenatal education and equipping mothers with tools in their toolkits will lead to the empowerment and self-efficacy of mothers that is demanded if we truly seek to improve breastfeeding outcomes. Staci’s current passion project is deeply rooted in the research, advocacy, safety, efficacy and outcomes of prenatal colostrum expression, collection, storage and feeding as an effort to enhance breastfeeding goals in the early days and to help more babies receive colostrum for the very best start in life. Read more

This webinar will briefly describe an approach to developing a comprehensive pain program for infants. It will define infant pain and its short and long term consequences, while offering evidence based approaches to care. An in-depth review of sucrose, non-nutritive sucking and breastfeeding will further guide clinical practice. Thought provoking suggestions will be shared and opportunity for group problem solving will be encouraged. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenter Sharyn Gibbins, NP, PhD Dr. Sharyn Gibbins is a nurse scientist, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, quality improvement facilitator and senior leader at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga Ontario, Canada. Her research focuses on improving outcomes for preterm infants. Her clinical passion is pain management, neurodevelopmental outcomes and nutrition science. Sharyn has expertise in building cross-continuum partnerships and relationships within and between professional groups.  She is passionate about the creation, implementation and sustainability of efficient, effective, evidence based health care service models which stand the test of time. Read more

In this webinar we discuss maternal-neonatal risk factors where expression of human milk should be implemented in the first 3 days of life to support an optimal milk supply. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenter Darlene Silver, MSN, RN, IBCLC For over 30 years, Darlene’s career has primarily focused on the care of women, infants and children, as well as nursing education with a commitment to working in underserved communities. She currently works as the lead lactation consultant in the Women’s Services Department at the George Washington University Hospital. She provides direct patient care. She also educates newly hired nurses, lactation consultant interns and medical students on the care and management of breastfeeding dyads and human lactation. In addition, she participates in multidisciplinary committees and workgroups to revise and develop evidence-based protocols and policies. Darlene has served on the Board of Directors for three non-profit organizations. Two focusing on increasing the number of students from underserved communities to pursue careers in nursing, medicine, healthcare and STEM professions, and one providing community based residential care and services to individuals and families with long-term mental health challenges in Prince George’s County. She fervently believes in community service and regularly volunteers in community based activities sponsored by local, state and national organizations dedicated to health and wellness. Read more

Pregnancy is usually a time of great joy and hope; but when complications are identified, it can become a time of great hardship and uncertainty. Those experiencing such a pregnancy often feel lost and don’t know where to turn for support. This is especially true as they sift through information and are faced with decisions not usually required during pregnancy. Perinatal Palliative Care provides an interdisciplinary team approach to support families while they make loving decisions for their child. In this presentation we will discuss fostering human connection and helping families determine what is most important to them in this journey. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP 13692.   Presenters Billie Winegard, MD A physician for 10 years, Billie is a graduate of The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in 2012. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for caring for and finding connection with kids and their families. This led her to complete a pediatric residency at Phoenix Children's Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center in 2015 and a fellowship in Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine from Nemours Children’s Hospital in 2016. She had the honor of bringing Pediatric Palliative Care to central Illinois at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois before moving back to Arizona where she serves as an attending physician at Phoenix Children's Hospital and as a Pediatric Medical Director for Hospice of Valley. In these roles, she works closely with the interdisciplinary teams as the physician lead for the Perinatal Palliative Care Programs for both organizations.   Amanda Butner, BSN, RN A nurse for 11 years, Amanda is a BSN with honors graduate of Chamberlain University in 2011. She began her nursing career in acute care working in an ICU, a role she held for eight years.  It was while working in critical care that she discovered her passion for connecting with not only her patients, but their families as well. Becoming an Admission Coordinator at Hospice of the Valley allowed her to connect her passion for helping patients and families with an opportunity to support them as they transitioned back to the community. Amanda then accepted a role in leadership within the agency, a role she currently holds as team leader of Ryan House’s and Hospice of the Valley’s pediatric programs. In this capacity, she oversees pediatric home-based and inpatient hospice, palliative care, and perinatal palliative care. Amanda is a founding member of the Arizona Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition, which is dedicated to increasing access to quality pediatric palliative care programming and bereavement support throughout the state of Arizona. When not fully immersed in making sure the community knows about the robust resources available for children at Ryan House and in the community, you can find Amanda traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family. Read more