VWCH Birthing Center honored
December 15, 2005
Staff members of the VWCH Birthing Center accepted an award given by the Rockford Region of the Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force (IBTF). VWCH Lactation Specialists pictured from left are, Darlene McClimans, RN; Sandra Wolf, RN; Theresa Faivre, RNC, VWCH Obstetrics and Gynecology Manager; Jackie Keck, RN, Krissy Ross, RN, Lorna Uttley, RN, IBTF Rockford Region Co-Chair; and Jennifer Dobson, Certified Nurse Midwife. VWCH Certified Lactation Counselors not pictured are Tracey Gabriel, RN, Melissa Hilt, RN; and Carrie Paull, RN.
The Rockford Region of the Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force recently honored the Valley West Community Hospital Birthing Center with a 2005 Breastfeeding is Smart Business - Workplace Models of Excellence Award.
The Illinois Department of Human Services established the first Workplace Models of Excellence Awards to recognize family-friendly employers who are implementing policies and procedures to enable women to continue to provide breast milk to their infants when they return to work.
VWCH has developed an outstanding program that supports their employees by providing a private lactation room with an electric pump, refrigerator for storing milk and flexible break times for pumping. The hospital also offers prenatal group classes and lactation counseling after delivery.
“I am very pleased that the hospital and staff have committed to providing the excellent service to patients as well as employees,” said Theresa Faivre, RNC, VWCH Obstetrics and Gynecology Manager. “We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without the dedication of our experienced lactation specialists.”
The Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act of 2001requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall, where employees can pump breast milk in privacy. It also requires employers to provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to an employee who needs to pump breast milk for her infant child.
