Lexington Regional Health Center has been recognized as a Breastfeeding Hospital Champion by the Department of Health and Human Services. LRHC says this prestigious award acknowledges their commitment to providing exceptional breastfeeding support and education to birthing families in the community.
LRHC’s Director of Obstetrics Emily Tvrdy says they “recognize the significant impact that breastfeeding can have on the health and well-being of both infants and mothers. By providing evidence-based education and support, we aim to empower families to make informed decisions about breastfeeding and contribute to reduce rates of infant mortality in our community.”
The LRHC team is led by an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and Certified Lactation Counselors collaborating closely with providers and nurses to ensure that comprehensive breastfeeding support is readily available to all mothers who choose to breastfeed.
To earn this recognition, LRHC underwent a thorough review process, which included compiling a team of breastfeeding champions, participating in the CDC’s Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, and addressing any identified gaps in breastfeeding support through targeted action steps. LRHC says the hospital is committed to continuous improvement, conducting yearly internal audits on breastfeeding education and regularly reviewing and comparing our mPINC reports to ensure that we are meeting the highest standards of care.
In addition to achieving LEARN Breastfeeding Champion status, LRHC is actively working towards completing Safe Sleep Champion and Abusive Head Trauma Champion status by July 1, 2024. These initiatives, spearheaded by Emily Tvrdy, Director of Obstetrics, emphasize LRHC’s commitment to providing comprehensive education and support to birthing families, with the ultimate goal of reducing infant mortality rates.
For more information about Lexington Regional’s breastfeeding support programs and initiatives, please visit lexigntonregional.org or call (308) 324-5651.
