About The Breastfeeding Friendly Consortium
The Consortium’s mission is to promote breastfeeding training – the Gold Standard in Infant Nutrition – by offering healthcare professionals and institutions a systems approach to education for both new and experienced learners as well as individual performance improvement opportunities.
BFConsortium.org is a one-stop resource for implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative®’s 10 Steps for Successful Breastfeeding. Our comprehensive program offers certified training and fosters performance improvement through Maintenance of Certification-approved activities. We have offered this quality training for over 15 years and are excited to present the updated site and content. Thank you for your support!
Our breastfeeding training program is managed by a consortium comprised of:
The VDH implements a coordinated, prevention-oriented program that promotes and protects the health of all Virginians.
The Maternal and Child Health Services’ Title V program is the only federal program devoted to improving the health of all women, children and families
UVA Office of CME promotes educational activities that are designed to meet the learning needs of practicing physicians and the delivery of quality patient care.
Breastfeeding Friendly Consortium Project Team
Course Director:
Ann Kellams, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and an international board certified lactation consultant. She has been in general pediatrics since 1995 in both a private group practice from 1998- 2006 before joining the faculty at UVA in 2006. She served as the Medical Director of the Newborn service from 2006-2018 and helped found the UVA Breastfeeding Medicine Program in 2011. She is involved at the state level on the Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Virginia Chapter, and as a member of the State Breastfeeding Advisory Committee for the Virginia Department of Health. At the national level, she is on the Executive Committee of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding and is on the Board of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
Continuing Medical Education Project Manager:
Kathleen Bunch-Meneses, MS, is a Program Manager for Continuing Medical Education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She has worked since 2012 with academic and research clinicians to develop and implement engaging opportunities for learning to residents, fellows, and clinicians. Ms. Meneses holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with a minor in psychology, and a Master of Arts in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Nursing Content Specialist:
Dr. Jann Balmer serves as the Director for Continuing Medical Education (CME) of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Under her leadership, the Office of CME demonstrated significant growth in meeting the educational needs of physicians, healthcare professionals and teams. Dr. Balmer provided the strategic direction for the creation of the CE unit and serves as the Co-Lead Nurse Planner for the School of Nursing. She holds faculty appointments in the School of Medicine and Nursing.
Lead Nurse Planner:
Emily Drake, PhD, RN, CNL, FAAN, is a professor at the University of Virginia School of Nursing. She teaches courses in maternal-child health and has held a clinical position in Labor & Delivery for many years. Her specialties include high-risk pregnancy, infant development, breastfeeding, and technology. Ms. Drake holds a MSN and BSN from the University of Virginia and received her PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Acknowledgements
The Breastfeeding Friendly Consortium team would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their support in the development and creation of the breastfeeding friendly web-based educational program:
- Lisa Akers, PhD, IBCLC – Program Chair, B.S. Human Lactation/M.A. Health & Wellness Faculty, Union Institute & University
- Valerie Goodman, RN, BSN, IBCLC – Breastfeeding Medicine, University of Virginia Health
- Natasha Sriraman, MD, MPH, FAAP, FABM – Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters