HealthEast Maternity Care Lauded for Lactation Services

ST. PAUL, MN--(Marketwire - Feb 8, 2012) - HealthEast Care System has been recognized for excellence in breastfeeding care. This commendation is from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).

"We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the leading advocates for breastfeeding. HealthEast has a strong commitment to breastfeeding and providing support and education," said Maureen Beaverson, RN, MA, Group Director of Maternity Care and Women's Care at HealthEast. "This honor is a tribute to our staff, as well as the support from our leaders to provide comprehensive, high-quality care for families and babies."

HealthEast was recognized for:

• Staffing international board-certified lactation consultants.
• Providing a lactation program that is available five to seven days a week for breastfeeding families.
• Demonstrating that they provided recent breastfeeding training for medical staff to care for new families.
• Completing activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

At HealthEast, Maternity Care nurses have specialized training to support breastfeeding. A certified lactation consultant is available both during hospitalization as well as after mothers and babies go home. HealthEast has also begun the process for endorsement from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) as baby-friendly hospitals. The designation is part of a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

HealthEast Care System is a community-focused, non-profit health care organization that provides innovative technology, compassionate care and a full spectrum of family health services. HealthEast includes Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Woodwinds Health Campus as well as outpatient services, clinics, home care, pharmacies and medical transportation services. Practicing financial responsibility, HealthEast is the largest, locally-owned health care organization in the Twin Cities' East Metro with 7,300 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,400 physicians on staff.