Title: Lactation consultant, Angleton Danbury Campus
Started work at UTMB: Feb. 20, 2023
What does your job entail?
I provide breastfeeding education to mothers of newborns and the Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum staff. I assist mothers who may be facing challenges on their breastfeeding journey. I also host a breastfeeding support group on Tuesdays in the Angleton Danbury Campus auditorium from 10 a.m. to noon, and I host a breastfeeding class every third Thursday of the month from 6 pm. to 8 p.m. in the ADC auditorium.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is the opportunity to empower and motivate women along their breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding is natural but is not easy for most. Mothers can lose confidence in their ability to breastfeed or may lack confidence in what their bodies were made to do. It is very rewarding for me to see a mother push past the difficulties they are facing and be able to provide the healthiest nutrition for their infant.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
The most challenging part about my job is finding a way to connect or engage with women who have different personalities, cultural differences and educational backgrounds in a way that will effectively help them achieve the best outcome for their breastfeeding journey.
What led you to a position in health care?
I was introduced to health care in the Air Force. When I joined the Air Force, I entered under the status of “Open General,” meaning once I completed my basic training, I was offered five career fields to choose from to serve my country. Out of the five careers offered I felt emergency medical technician was the best one for me, and I evolved from there. I believe the list was fire fighter, finance, dental hygiene, military police and EMT.
Who are your heroes?
My hero is the one and only God himself. My faith in God has carried me through all the challenges in my life. I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
Where do you see your career path taking you?
At this present time as far as my career, I am where I want to be. I do plan to do things to enhance my career like take more classes on communication, teaching strategies and classes to continue increasing my knowledge about breastfeeding as the world evolves. However, I am open to other opportunities as the universe presents them to me.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, my absolute favorite thing to do is go to the movies. It is a mental escape for me. I know when I go to the movies at least for two hours mentally my brain is totally engaged in the movie, so for at least two hours I am not thinking about the troubles of my world.
What is the best advice you ever got?
The best advice I ever got was not to rely on peoples’ words—believe who people show they are, especially when they are backed against a wall.
What is your favorite quote?
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”— Corinthians 13:4-5.
What three words best describe you?
Patient, adventurous and thoughtful.
What is the coolest thing – or just a fun fact – about you?
I am Chris Brown’s biggest fan. Want to cheer me up? Simply throw on a Chris Brown song and my world transforms. LOL!