ProMoM's Professional Advisory Board

Linda Barrett, IBCLC

Linda is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C.) working as a Lactation Consultant for the Montgomery County Combined Health District W.I.C. Program in Dayton, Ohio counseling and supporting mothers, and teaching breastfeeding classes. She has been an accredited La Leche League Leader since 1988 and actively leads two support Groups. She is also working administratively with LLL of Ohio and helps breastfeeding women both nationally and internationally via the LLLI Help Form. Linda is a member of the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA), the Ohio Lactation Consultants Association (OLCA), the Greater Miami Valley Breastfeeding Coalition and Tri-State Breastfeeding Advocates. She has been a speaker at La Leche League conferences and workshops, WIC Symposium, Wright State University Medical School, and high school child development and GRADS classes. She is currently working toward starting a private practice. Linda and her husband John are the parents of three breastfed children and actively participate in their activities as well as within the community.

Janet Vandenberg RN, BScN, IBCLC.

Janet graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing in 1985. She has worked as a hospital staff nurse in the postpartum area as well as labour & delivery. She is currently employed in private practice as a breastfeeding counselor and is a candidate for certification by the IBLCE in 1998. Janet has special interests in Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Bereavement.

Dr. Jack Newman, M.D.

Training

• Medical School-University of Toronto, graduated with honours, June 1970
• Interneship-Vancouver General Hospital, straight interneship in internal medicine, June 1970-June 1971
• Senior House Surgeon-Hutt Hospital, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, June 1971-October 1971
• Resident 2-Internal Medicine, Montreal General Hospital, July 1972-July 1973
• Resident 2-Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Université Laval, Quebec City, July 1977-July 1978
• Core 2 Resident-Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children,Toronto, July 1978-July 1979
• Postcore Resident-Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, July 1979-July 1980
• Emergency Pediatrics Fellow, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, July 1980-July 1981

Diplomas and Degrees

• Doctor of medicine (MD)-University of Toronto, June 1970
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) (Pediatrics)-November 1980
• Spécialiste certifié, Province de Québec (Pediatrics) November 1980
• Board Qualified, American Academy of Pediatrics, April 1981

Present Positions

• Active staff, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, September 1990-present
• Associate staff, Child Health Unit, Doctors Hospital, Toronto, January 1990-present
• Outside staff, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Michael's Hospital. December 1994-present
• Courtesy Staff, York-Finch Hospital, Toronto, September 1995-present
• Courtesy Staff, Etobicoke General Hospital, Toronto, May 1996-present
• University Appointment: Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Other Positions

• Locum Tenens-Tawa, New Zealand, General Practice, October 1971-January 1972
• Emergency Physician-Hôpital Nôtre Dame, Montreal, July 1973-October 1973
• Physician Replacement-Vancouver B.C., October 1973-February 1974
• General Practice-CARE, Choluteca, Honduras, April 1974-October 1974
• General Practice-Rural Hospital, Coina, Peru, November 1974 (1 month)
• General Practice-Povugngituk, Nouveau-Quebec, July 1975-July 1976
• Camp doctor-Camp Lenox, Massachusetts, July-August 1981
• Principal Specialist-Pediatrics, Umtata Hospital, Umtata Transkei (Southern Africa), October 1981-April 1983
• Acting Director, Emergency Services, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto July 1, 1988-April 17, 1989
• Assistant Director, Emergency Services, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, April 17, 1989-October 2, 1989
• Staff supervisor, Emergency Department, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, July 1983-September 1990
• Acting Chief, Department of Pediatrics, Doctors Hospital, January 1, 1992-June 1, 1992
• Director, Breastfeeding Clinic, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, October 1984-March 1996

Other

• Travel SE Asia, January 1972-July 1972
• Travel Latin America-October 1974-July 1975
• Year off (with travel in Europe) July 1976-July 1977

Publications (Peer Reviewed)

1. Evaluation of Sponging to Reduce Body Temperature in Febrile Children, Can Med Assoc J, 1985;132:641-42
2. "Nursemaid's Elbow" in Infants 6 months and Under, J Emerg Med 1985;2:403-4
3. Breastfeeding, the Problem of "Not Enough Milk", Can Fam Phys 1986;32:571-4
4. Patterns of Walker Use and Walker Injury, Pediatrics, 1986;78:488-93
5. Intussusception in Infants under 4 Months, Can Med Assoc J 1987;136:266-68
6. Breastfeeding Problems presenting to the emergency department: Diagnosis and Management. Ped Emerg Care 1989;5:198-201
7. Breast Rejection: A little-appreciated cause of lactation failure. Can Fam Phys 1990; 36:449-453
8. Malaria in Children. Ped Emerg Care 1990;6:40-44
9. Breastfeeding Problems Associated with the Early Introduction of Bottles and Pacifiers. J Hum Lact 1990;6:59-63
10. Rapid Intravenous Rehydration in the Pediatric Emergency Department, Ped Emerg Care, 1990;6:186-188
11. When Breast-feeding is not Contraindicated. Can Fam Phys, 1991;37:969-75
12. Bottle-feeding as normal (Guest Editorial). J Hum Lact, 1992;8:2-4
13. Establishing Breastfeeding : Starting off Right. Can J Pediatr 1992;4:55-60
14. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Can J Pediatr 1992;4:117-122
15. Breastfeeding in a polluted world: uncertain risks clear benefits. Can Med Assoc J 1993;149:33-37 (UNICEF's Breastfeeding Paper of the Month, May 1994)
16. Decision tree and postpartum management for preventing dehydration in the "breastfed" baby. J Hum Lact 1996;12:129-35 (Chosen best article of 1996 by JHL readers)

Other Publications (Medical

1. Incidence of Injuries from Walkers, Ont Med Review, 1985;52:663-4
2. Breastfeeding: What to do when Problems Arise, Medifacts, 1988;XVIII;no 3
3. Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome--Ped Inf Dis J 1987;6:875 (letter)
4. Fever. Chapter in Conn's Current Therapy. Robert E. Rakel editor,1990 Edition, W.B. Saunders Co.
5. Oral rehydration and breastfeeding. Ped Inf Dis J 1990;9:147 (letter)
6. Inadequate breastfeeding and jaundice. Pediatrics 1990;85:893 (letter)
7. Drugs and breastmilk. Pediatrics 1990;86:148 (letter)
8. WHO code. The Canadian Nurse 1991;87:6 (letter)
9. Breastfeeding and Jaundice. What exactly is the problem? CanPediatrQuarterly 1991;5:237-42 (solicited manuscript) (UNICEF's Breastfeeding Paper of the Month, April 1993)
10. Formula Companies and the Medical Profession. AJDC 1991;145:1089-90 (letter)
11. Comment. Polluted or not, breast milk still best. Ontario Medicine 1991;10 (18):2
12. Breast milk: Issues and controversies. Contemporary Pediatrics 1991;2(4):6-11 (solicited manuscript)
13. Encouraging, Supporting, and Maintaining Breastfeeding: The Obstetrician's Role. Journal SOGC 1991;13 (9):15-23. (solicited manuscript)
14. The Breastfeeding Support Programme. IMPrint (Newsletter of the Infant Mental Health Promotion Project). 1991-2;2:8-10
15. Would breastfeeding decrease risks of lead intoxication? Pediatrics 1992;90:131 (letter)
16. Breast milk: Issues and controversies. (reprint of article in Contemporary Pediatrics). Contemporary Ob/Gyn 1992;1:6-12
17. In Support of Breastfeeding. Can Med Assoc J. 1992;147:583-4 (letter)
18. Water Intoxication: A problem of bottle feeding. AJDC 1992;146:1131-2 (letter)
19. Nipple Confusion. Pediatrics 1993;92:297-8 (letter)
20. Breastfeeding: Are hospitals encouraging new mothers to reach for the bottle? Leadership 1994;3:4 (guest editorial)
21. Nipple Pain. JOGNN 1994;23:12 (letter)
22. Mother's Milk for Preterm Infants. Can Med Assoc J 1995;153:1415-6 (letter)
23. How Breast Milk Protects Newborns. Scientific American 1995;273:76-9
24. Timing of Solid Food Introduction and Safety of Radiopharmaceuticals. JHL 1996;12:10-11 (letter)
25. Breastfeeding. The Health Journal 1996;1:11-12
26. Is alcohol so bad for breastfeeding mothers? JHL 1996;12;93 (letter)
27. Breastfeeding. Getting Enough Milk.The Health Journal 1996;1: 26
28. Treating Sore Nipples. Can J Pediatr 1996;7:436-41
29. Sore Breasts: diagnosis and treatment. Can J Peditr 1996;7:442-7
30. Breastfeeding and Guilt. International Journal of Childbirth Education. 1996;11:32
31. Caution regarding nipple shields. JHL 1997;13:12-3 (letter)
32. It makes a difference. ORGYN. 1997:VIII;28-32
33. Breastfeeding must be priority in aboriginal health promotion. Pædiatr Child Health 1997;2:160 (letter)
34. Helping new mothers with nipple pain. Can J Diagnosis 1997;14:55-66
35. When breastfeeding is not contraindicated. Breastfeeding Abstracts 1997;16:27
36. What drugs can I take while breastfeeding? Can J Diagnosis 1998;15:105-20

Other HSC Activities

• Physician advisor, Quality Assurance Committee, 1984-1988
• Member, Quality Assurance Committee, 1985-1986
• Established Breastfeeding Clinic, October 1984
• Member of faculty, Emergency Paediatrics conferences, June 1984, April 1987, March 1990

Conferences organized

• Programme director and member faculty, Emergency Pediatric Conference, September 1985
• The ABC's of Breastfeeding for Health Professionals. Organizing committee. June 6, 2020

Other

• Faculty, two week workshop, Breastfeeding: Teaching the Teachers. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. August 1-11, 1989
• Referee, Ontario Ministry of Health research programmes. 1989-present
• Established Breastfeeding Clinic, Doctors Hospital, Child Health Unit, January 1990
• Consultant for UNICEF. External Assessor for Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative February 10-16, 1992, Gabon, Africa February 17-22, 1992, Ivory Coast, Africa
• Liaison visit. INFACT Canada-Proyecto Lactancia Materna, Universidad Nacional Autónima de Nicaragua. Managua Nicaragua. July 25-30 1992
• Consultant for UNICEF to the two week training course for health professionals on breastfeeding and the baby friendly hospital initiative.
  • 1. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. November 16-28, 1992.
  • 2. Bangui, Central African Republic. November 26 December 11, 1993 (training team leader)
  • 3. Tunis, Tunisia. June 19-June 30, 1995
• Examination committee, International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. Alexandria, Virginia. February 3-6, 1994
• Working Group to develop position statement on breastfeeding for the Ontario Hospital Association (published March 1994)
• Established breastfeeding clinic, St. Michael's Hospital, Women's Health Care Centre, December 1994

Advisory Boards etc.

• Advisory Board: American Society for Prophylaxis in Obstetrics Inc./Lamaze, 1987-present
• Advisory Board: Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT Canada), 1987-present
• Chairman, advisory board: INFACT Canada, December 8, 1990-present
• Medical Associate: La Leche League, 1987-present
• Editorial Advisory Board: Great Expectations 1987-March 8, 1994
• Consultant: International Childbirth Education Association. 1991-present
• Charter member, medical advisory board: La Leche League Canada. 1991-present
• Professional Advisory Board, International Lactation Consultant Association. 1992-present
• International Health Advisory Council, La Leche League International. 1992-present
• Executive Board, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. 1994-1996
• Member, New Brunswick Breastfeeding Advisory Committee. April 1995-present

Awards
National Breastfeeding Seminar. Award of Excellence. 1996 Revised: June 1998

Heidi C. Lunn, M.S., I.B.C.L.C.

Masters in Nutrition, Breastfeeding Program Administrator for the Miami-Dade Department of Health WIC and Nutrition Program. The program is considered the best practice in Florida WIC. Currently Heidi runs a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program with 20 volunteers. She has been teaching breastfeeding for the past 9 years, and is the mother of three breastfed boys, ages 14, 9, and 6.

Roni M. Chastain, RN, LCCE, FACCE

Childbirth educator for the last 24 years, teaching privately. Roni has worked in labor and delivery as well as worked in an OB-GYN office. For the last 19 years she has worked for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in a maternal and childhealth program, visiting mothers and babies in their homes. Roni has written an article on HIV and Breastfeeding for the Journal of Childbirth Education. She have also had some articles published in a local newspaper about childbirth and breastfeeding. Roni has been a guest lecturer at several colleges, giving lectures on childbirth. She was president of the Long Island Chapter of Lamaze International for four years, and remains an active member. Roni is currently the education coordinator. She is the mother of two children, one 28 years old, born by c/section, and one 12 years old born by VBAC. Both children were breastfed.

Elena de Karplus, CCE

Elena de Karplus is the director of Birth Education & Counseling Associates in New York. In addition, she has been the director and parent education coordinator of the Tokyo Childbirth Education Association for eight years. As a certified childbirth educator, counselor and labor assistant for over 17 years, Elena has gained extensive experience working with childbearing couples and healthcare providers from all over the world working in Japan and in the United States. She is the editor of The Tokyo Stork, the only English language newsletter in Tokyo for expectant and new parents. A frequent contributor to parenting journals, Elena writes on various perinatal issues.

Elena brings to her classes a deep understanding of the wellness of birth and breastfeedomg and approaches the subjects with humor and common sense. Her clients are able to plan for their babies' births with confidence and in turn, remain flexible and open to the exhilarating challenges of their own personal labors and early parenting experiences, She is a strong breastfeeding advocate.

Originally from Argentina, Elena is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. She will be happy to answer posts in either language.

Elena and her husband have four children: Natalia, Steven and Marisa who were born in Japan, and Alexandra, the youngest, born in New York. All four were happily breastfed.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE

Maurenne graduated from the Northeast Louisiana University School of Nursing in 1989. She served as a US Army Nurse for 5 years and has experience in labor and delivery, mother baby nursing, childbirth and breastfeeding education and continuing education for health professionals. She also runs a breastfeeding retail station from her home. Maurenne has published in several nursing journals on the topics of perinatal nursing and breastfeeding. Maurenne runs a pregnancy and breastfeeding website and also speaks regularly to health care professionals about perinatal topics. Her favorite lecture topic is how to optimize first feedings through minimal birth interventions. She is the proud mother of three breastfed children.

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

• International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners: Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), 1985, recertified by examination, 1991; recertified 1996.
• Lamaze: Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE), 1981; Recertified 1998. Fellow, American College of Childbirth Educators (FACCE), 1991 to present.
• American Heart Association: Certified BLS (CPR) Instructor-Trainer, 1989. Recertified 1999. Instructor in Basic Life Support, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton OH.
• La Leche League International Accredited Leader, 1974.
• BS in Education (Physical Education and Hygiene) State University of New York at Cortland, 1968.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, BREASTFEEDING

• Participant, US National Breastfeeding Policy Conference, November 1998
• US National Breastfeeding Committee (Formerly National Breastfeeding Leadership Roundtable), 1998-present
• ILCA delegate to Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), 1998-2000.
• Council Member, Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), 1997-present.
• Board of Directors (Treasurer), International Lactation Consultant Association, 1995-1997.
• Chair, Education Department, International Lactation Consultant Association, June 1989-1991, July 1992-1995.
• Technical Consultant to "Breast Is Best" Campaign," Campaign to End Hunger, 1992-93.
• Breastfeeding Coordinator, Division of Maternal and Child Health, Ohio Department of Health, 1991-1992.
• Oversee breastfeeding promotion and clinical training programs for Bureau of Maternal-Child Health and Bureau of Women, Infants, Children (WIC).
• Membership Director, Ohio Lactation Consultant Association, 1989-1994
• Health Education Supervisor, Peninsula Health District, Virginia Department of Health, 1988-89. Developed and implemented policies for maternal-child health education; supervised 2 Health Educators providing instruction in MCH topics to patients; Coordinated educational programs relating to MCH in entire District including York County, James City County, and Williamsburg and Newport News. Directed CPR training of all Health Department staff in District.
• Virginia Breastfeeding Task Force, Eastern Region Representative, 1987-89.
• Inservice Instructor, Baptist Memorial Hospital System Institute of Health Education, San Antonio TX 1986-87.
• Taught Family-Oriented Maternity Classes, CPR and related activities for hospital system with 4000 births annually. Designed marketing plan to dispense soft baby carriers to parents of every baby born in System.
• Taught CPR to patients and staff. Developed Lactation Program mentioned elsewhere.
• Charter Member, Board of Directors (Secretary and Membership), International Lactation Consultant Association, 1985-88. Developed Procedure Manual and managed 1500-member database system.
• Charter Member, International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, 1984-85; Project leader to develop the Role Delineation Study, Practice Analysis and Proctor's Manual for the certifying examination; Exam Committee and Chief Proctor, 1985 exam.
• Assistant Director, Lactation Consultant Department, La Leche League International (LLLI), 1982-85.
  

Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC

Catherine has a Bachelor of Science degree from Adelphi University, and has done graduate work in human medicine. She is a lactation consultant in private practice in New York City, and frequently lectures to health care professionals about lactation and infant suck. She is a book reviewer for the Journal of Human Lactation and the Online Birth Center News.

Jay Gordon, MD, IBCLC

Jay Gordon has been a dad for twelve years and a pediatrician for nearly twenty years, during which time he has answered parents' questions in his office, during public speaking engagements, in magazine columns, in books, and on radio and television. He is rumored to be the only male to ever receive the IBCLC credential, making him a very rare Lactation Consultant/Pediatrician.

Dr. Gordon completed his residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and served as Senior Fellow for Pediatric Nutrition at Sloan Ketering Institute in New York City. He was also an on-air medical correspondent for ABC-TV's morning show "Home" for five years, has served as a consultant behind the scenes for many television projects, and has authored several books including Brighter Baby; Boosting Your Child's Intelligence, Health & Happiness Through Infant Massage.

He is currently in private practice in Santa Monica and can be seen on "Great Day America" on PAX TV. He serves on the Professional Advisory Board for La Leche League International and as a medical consultant for various publications and corporations.

Anne Montgomery, MD, IBCLC

Anne Montgomery, MD, IBCLC, is a board-certified Family Physician and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She currently serves on the faculty of the Providence St. Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency Program in Olympia, WA. Her practice and teaching emphasize birth and breastfeeding. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and has been active with La Leche League and the International Lactation Consultant's Association as well as with local breastfeeding organizations. Her breastfeeding knowledge and advocacy were greatly enhanced by her experience of breastfeeding her own son.

Lisa Marasco, IBCLC

Lisa Marasco is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice. While her bachelor's degree was originally in business/accounting, she fell in love with babies and breastfeeding after the birth of her first son, became a La Leche League Leader, and eventually made a left turn into the world of lactation consulting. Lisa is pursuing a Master's degree with the Lactation Institute & Pacific Oaks College in between raising her four children and running her business, Expressly Yours Lactation Services. She enjoys challenging breastfeeding situations and has a special interest in milk supply problems, most notably hormonal and scheduling issues, and is currently researching and writing on these topics; Lisa has also published related articles, including the new Common Breastfeeding Myths pamphlet for La Leche League.