HHSA Newsroom

Job: Public Health Clinic Services Coordinator

"I began as an extra help Community Health Advocate doing Breastfeeding Peer Counseling in 2002. I became a permanent CHA in 2009 and started my current position in 2013. I also volunteered as a Peer Counselor from 2000-2002."

What She Does:
"I am the breastfeeding coordinator for WIC (Women, Infants and Children Food and Nutrition Service) and a lactation consultant.

Basically, I help breastfeeding moms, and I’ve been trained to help address some of the more complex difficulties that can come up with breastfeeding. One example is helping a mom whose baby isn’t gaining weight quickly enough. 

Breastfeeding is good for our babies’ and mothers’ health. Among its many health benefits, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease."

Why She Loves Her Job:
"I was a WIC mom when I was young, and I love meeting mommies and their babies. I had a difficult time with birth and breastfeeding as a first-time mother, and there wasn’t much help back then.

I want the moms to know they can succeed. I love empowering and educating moms to deal with the challenges they may  face. It’s ironic I teach these classes because I used to roll my eyes at them when I was younger because I didn’t think I needed any help."

Family:
"I’m married, and I have a 25-year-old son who’s married and in the Navy. I have two step-kids who are 29 and 31. I have a 19-year-old son who still lives at home, and I have five grandkids, with number six due in April."

Hobbies:
"I love yoga, and I love doing it with my dogs, Max and Lulu. Though it’s been sad lately since Lulu passed away. I do these yoga time-lapse videos on Instagram, and sometimes my cats make an appearance. #yogawithdogs, #iloveyoga and #yogawithmaxandlulu are some of my favorite hashtags."