International eNewsletter
from the Board of Directors
Volume 6, Issue 2
November 2017
In This Issue:

Connect with IBLCE on Social Media!

IBLCE now has close to 17K followers on Facebook!

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View our profile on LinkedIn

View our videos on YouTube

Quiz Result Is In!

IBLCE Board Members are originally from how many countries?

Answer: 10 countries!
Quiz  of the Quarter

In addition to Country Coordinators, IBLCE has in-office support available to assist candidates and IBCLCs in how many different languages?

A. 1

B. 5

C. 7

D. 9

Check back in the next issue to find out the answer!
Country Quiz 
of the Quarter

Which of the following facts are correct about Hungary?

A. The currency of Hungary is Hungarian Forint.
 
B. The Rubik's Cube was invented in Hungary in 1974.
 
C.  Hungary is the largest landlocked country (km2) in Europe. 
 
D. The famous magician Houdini was born in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, in 1874.

Answer:  A, B, and D are true! 

Belarus is the largest landlocked country in Europe by size (207,600 km2), although Hungary (93,030 km2) is the largest by population with approximately 9.8 million inhabitants, barely edging out Belarus' population
of 9.5 million.
IBLCE Updates Bylaws
IBLCE ® is pleased to announce the approval of updated Bylaws.

The IBLCE Bylaws update represented an intensive process involving five meetings of a task force comprised of IBCLCs from a variety of geographic locations and backgrounds, working together with IBLCE's Public Member as well as a professional Board consultant. After dissemination of calls for public comment in August in each of the 17 languages in which IBLCE offers the IBCLC examination, the IBLCE Board of Directors reviewed the Task Force's recommendations as well as all of the comments received from around the globe. After careful review of public comments, feedback was incorporated into the new IBLCE Bylaws.
 
The following are highlights of the updated Bylaws:
  • Language reflects gender neutrality.
  • Language reflects IBLCE's desire to be diverse and inclusive and to be a welcoming culture for all those desiring to engage with our community.
  • Specifically memorialises existing practice of inclusion of a Public Member on the Board of Directors to represent the public interest.
  • Removes the Secretary position, as executive staff assumes this role, as well as adds the position of Senior Board Member.
  • Redefines the role of the Governance Committee as oversight to ensure that there is an annual Board evaluation process conducted so that the Board considers how it is functioning and opportunities for continuous improvement.
The updated Bylaws, along with a memo describing the detailed process and amendments, are posted on the IBLCE website. 
IBLCE Launches 
Simplified Website!
You asked and we responded! In addition to a new look, over the past few months IBLCE has been transitioning to a more user-friendly and streamlined website. In November, IBLCE launched new website pages which walk candidates and IBCLCs through certification and recertification requirements step-by-step. The site includes more graphics to help illustrate the steps to certification and recertification. IBLCE gathered, and then implemented, feedback from both current IBCLCs and aspiring IBCLCs as to how they would like the site to look and function. Check out the updates at www.iblce.org We greatly appreciated your constructive feedback and used it in modifying the site. 
 
A new tool to streamline the process is the "Which Pathway is Right for Me?"  This user-friendly tool is designed to help candidates decide on the pathway that is right for them to earn clinical hours for IBCLC ® certification.
 
IBLCE intends for this updated site to help candidates and IBCLCs access the information they need to earn, and maintain, the IBCLC credential!
New IBLCE eCommunication 
to Facilitate Faster 
Global Communication

Commencing with the next issue, IBLCE's periodic eCommunication will be a briefing with links to an Instagram account filled with photos of items of general interest.  

The reason for this change is to more quickly communicate mission critical information pertaining to the IBLCE certification programme to stakeholders in all examination languages. Other items, which are of general interest but which are not mission critical and do not directly pertain to requirements or key dates of the certification programme, will be included in a primarily photographic environment. This more concise format will allow IBLCE to disseminate important certification information more quickly to its stakeholders who speak a variety of languages.  

While this is a very different approach, IBLCE believes that it will facilitate more equitable access to information critical to candidates and certificants.  Collateral information will be available to those who are interested in the primarily visual medium of Instagram which has 800 million active users.

IBLCE Leadership Transitions
IBLCE is pleased to announce its new Officers for 2017-18.  Esmé Hough , IBCLC, having served the past year as Chair-Elect, is now the Chair of the IBLCE Board.  The new Chair-Elect is Roberto Issler , MD, IBCLC a paediatrician hailing from Porto Alegre, Brazil.  Regina Maria Roig-Romero , MPH, MCHES, IBCLC  continues to serve on the Board as the Immediate Past Chair after an active year as Chair. Micaela Notarangelo, Ph.D., IBCLC of Lerici, Italy who is now entering her fifth year of IBLCE Board service, was elected as Treasurer of the organisation. Rounding out the Executive Committee, Norma Escobar, IBCLC, RLC was elected as Senior Board Member pursuant to IBLCE's new Bylaws.
 
IBLCE extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Board members, Andreja Tekauc-Golob, M.D., IBCLC of Maribor, Slovenia, who previously served as Chair, as well as Young-Oak Wells, IBCLC, MMidwifery  of New Zealand. IBLCE is deeply appreciative of their volunteer leadership and service!
2018 IBCLC Care Award Applications 
Open  Monday, January 15th!
Let your community know that your facility recognises the important role that the IBCLC plays in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding by applying for the IBCLC Care Award. This programme is promoted to new families and the general public which means your facility can enjoy the benefits of positive public relations in your community, including:
  • Enhanced attractiveness to potential patients
  • Competitive edge in recruiting lactation consultants, nurses, midwives, and other medical staff
  • General good will in the community by providing excellent care in helping new families reach their breastfeeding goals
Visit the  IBCLC Care Directory to see which Hospital-Based Facilities are already benefiting from the IBCLC Care Award programme!
 
For more information please visit  www.ibclccare.org.
Certificant Spotlight
IBCLCs work around the globe in a variety of practice settings in lactation. This feature highlights IBCLCs and the important work they perform for mothers, babies and families. Read about certificants around the world and why they value the IBCLC credential!

Patricia Díaz Lorenzo with a teaching tool
Patricia Díaz Lorenzo is a paediatrician, IBCLC and doula from Caracas, Venezuela. 
 
Dr. Díaz fell in love with working with breastfeeding families during her paediatric residency at the main Children's Hospital of Venezuela "José Manuel de los Ríos," where she first received training at the hospital's lactation centre "Mi Gota de Leche"
("My Drop of Milk"). She continued to further her lactation studies, becoming a proud IBCLC in 2015. 
 
Currently, she practices at La Trinidad Teaching Medical Center (CMDLT), where she works in the Paediatrics Department and Healthy Newborn Station. Here she has gradually helped to create a lactation culture and to advance the Baby-Friendly Initiative. Dr. Diaz also provides lactation training to medical students and coordinates the monthly lactation support group.
 
Since 2015, Dr. Díaz has served as both Chair of the Organizational Committee, and as an invited speaker for, the World Breastfeeding Week Conference at CMDLT. Dr. Díaz lectures frequently on breastfeeding topics both nationally and internationally. She appears weekly on national TV as a paediatric and lactation specialist, during the segment "Ask the Experts" in Portada's Morning Magazine, Venevisión, where she advocates for breastfeeding families.
 
She remains passionate about helping breastfeeding families to overcome barriers to achieve their lactation goals.
IBLCE is Seeking a
 Country Coordinator for the Netherlands
IBLCE is currently seeking expressions of interest from IBCLCs in the Netherlands who wish to be considered for the role of Country Coordinator. This is a very important role in promoting and representing the IBCLC credential and the organization at conferences, seminars and other promotional activities, as well as supporting colleagues through general assistance with their certification or recertification. Be part of the IBLCE network of Country Coordinators who promote breastfeeding and advance the lactation profession!

Interested in applying for this position? Click here to learn more!
IBLCE Advocacy Update
As a periodic feature, IBLCE provides you with updates on advocacy efforts around the globe. In this edition, given the many recent changes in Washington, D.C., IBLCE focuses on its recent advocacy efforts in the U.S.

In September, IBLCE signed on to a letter in support of the "Friendly Airports for Mothers Act" that would require all large and medium hub airports to provide a private, non-bathroom space in each terminal for mothers to express breast milk.
 
Also in September, IBLCE signed on to a letter in support of the "Supporting Working Moms Act." The purpose of the act is to extend the existing federal provision that requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom place to express breast milk at work. The act covers salaried employees, including elementary and secondary school teachers. 

Both Acts are currently pending in Congress in the U.S. 
Country Coordinator Corner
As you know, IBLCE has a network of Country and Resource Coordinators around the globe to help you get the answers you need concerning IBCLC certification and recertification. Coordinators are available to help with country-specific questions and to answer questions in your language. If they don't immediately have the answer for you, they will help get the answer you need shortly!

Monika Veres poses with a furry friend
Monika Veres, IBLCE's Country Coordinator for Hungary, has an unconventional background, originally graduating with a Doctorate 
in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Budapest.   After a number of years at home raising and breastfeeding three children, Dr. Veres worked as a research veterinarian and anatomy instructor at the University of South Carolina while at the same time advising breastfeeding mothers.
 
Her continued passion for supporting breastfeeding familes prompted her to study at Semmelweis University's year-long programme to prepare for the IBLCE examination in Hungary.  Her thesis focused on both the national and global economic impact of breastfeeding. She received the IBCLC certification in 2014 and supported breastfeeding dyads at two hospitals in Hungary.

In her role as Country Coordinator for Hungary, Monika enjoys providing information and support to both current and aspiring IBCLCs.  She particularly admires her colleagues' unwavering enthusiasm for the support and promotion of breastfeeding.
IBLCE Board Member Profile
As an ongoing feature, the IBLCE eNewsletter features an IBLCE Board member and includes information about the focus of the Board member's work on behalf of the IBCLC community and the public.   

Christy Porucznik in South Korea
Christina (Christy) Porucznik, PhD, MSPH, is an Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies and the Associate Chief for Education in the Division of Public Health of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Her area of research interest is in appropriately timing measurement of exposures.  In the environmental domain, she studies endocrine disruptors and reproductive endpoints including fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and breastfeeding. Her other primary focus area is on prescription medications, primarily opioids, and the impact of policy changes on drug dispensing and adverse events.
 
In addition to her IBLCE Board of Directors service, Dr. Porucznik teaches in the Division of Public Health and serves on numerous graduate student committees (MPH, MSPH, and PhD).  Her educational responsibilities include the University of Utah's international campuses in South Korea and Ghana as well as the main campus in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. She serves as Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
 
Dr. Porucznik came into the world of breastfeeding as many do, as a first time mom with breastfeeding challenges. This experience led her to La Leche League for information and support, and a few years later, she became a Leader. She's grateful for the community created within LLL and counts women she met there among her closest friends. Volunteer work with pregnancy, moms, and babies has informed and enriched her professional work with research ideas and by making her a better mentor for her graduate students.
 
Given such a rich and busy life, why add one more thing by joining the Board of IBLCE? "I want to help public health by working towards evidence and policy that supports moms, babies, and families. IBCLCs are in the front lines of maternal and child health, and I see my work with this organisation as supporting the clinical work that I don't do myself."