In 2005, Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank, Inc., was established to improve health outcomes for premature and ill infants, foster better health for Indiana’s children and decrease health care expenditures. The milk bank receives human milk from carefully screened donors, pasteurizes, freezes and distributes it throughout Indiana and the Midwest. As a non-profit, community-supported entity, IMMB is the first and only donor human milk bank in Indiana.
For some, mothers’ milk is a gift like no other. As part of a nationwide network of lactating mothers working to help infants in need of human milk, we give these mothers a way to share the gift that only they can provide—the medicine-like mothers’ milk that ailing infants and others thrive on for life-giving nutrition.
Strategies:
1) Increase availability of pasteurized donor human milk for ill and premature infants
2) Recruit and screen potential human milk donors
3) Provide pasteurized donor human milk processed according to Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) guidelines
4) Educate the community about enhanced health outcomes for infants receiving human milk
5) Increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Indiana
6) Facilitate research with human milk and subsequent health outcomes
While the Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank is still in its early years and holds a future rich in promise and potential, the history of the milk bank is abundant with loyalty to our mission, progress and growth. The milk bank is supported by various community partners, grants and individuals who donate everything from financial support and sponsorship to rocking chairs and human milk.
Support from mothers who contribute milk, volunteers who contribute time and community partners who contribute financial support and in-kind donations has allowed us to flourish. We have distributed thousands of ounces of milk to hundreds of babies and others who need it to survive—and we’ve only just begun.
With 17 milk drop-off sites across Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and St. Louis (and growing!). With thousands of ounces of milk passing through our offices each month, we continue to expand throughout the Midwest. We are committed to Sharing the Gift of Mothers’ Milk!
Staff
Janice Sneider O’Rourke, MPA, RD, Executive Director
Since 2007, I have served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank. I have a long history of advocacy for infant and child nutrition and health care. I received my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Bowling Green State University, completed my Dietetic Internship at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and have been a Registered Dietitian for over 23 years. I received my Master of Public Affairs from IUPUI, and am currently a PhD Candidate in Philanthropic Studies through the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. I spent over 11 years in public service with both the Arkansas Department of Health and the Indiana State Department of Health before I moved to the nonprofit sector. I see the milk bank as the perfect blending of my interest in infant nutrition, my love for public health, and my knowledge of nonprofit organizations. I see the potential to create better health outcomes for infants and children as I work to help the IMMB reach our greatest potential through growth and expansion and progress towards a time when all babies that need it will have access to the gift of mother’s milk.
Teresa Stackhouse, MSW, RN, BSN, Clinical Coordinator
I have had the good fortune to enjoy different career paths in my life. I completed my master’s in social work from IUPUI. For a number of years I was a clinical social worker who worked in the school setting and outpatient mental health clinics. As I went on to have my family I found that I was very interested in childbirth, maternal health, and breastfeeding. This prompted me to return to school and complete my RN. I completed my BSN through Purdue University and have enjoyed being a bedside nurse working in postpartum, special care nursery, NICU, and lactation. I recently completed a 200 hour lactation consultant training program through University of California San Diego. I am on track to sit for the IBCLC exam in July 2013. I am proud of my affiliation with the IMMB. It feels good to be part of something that I believe in so whole heartedly.
Breanna Jenson, Donor Mother Coordinator
In May 2012 I completed an internship with IMMB to fulfill my fieldwork for my bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. At IU I majored in Public Health and minored in Human Development and Family Studies. During my junior year studies I became increasingly passionate about breastfeeding and decided to pursue my dream of becoming an IBCLC -one of these days! In August I became the Donor Mother Coordinator, which I love, and only hope to continue to grow professionally alongside of the milk bank. In my spare time I like to run, craft, shop, and spend time with family, friends, and sweet puppy, Hank.
Carissa Hawkins, Communication Coordinator
Everyone said Motherhood would change me. I knew they were right, I just didn’t anticipate a career change in addition to all the other capacities I have gained after having my first child. I choose to breastfeed and quickly found that I was making more milk then my babe would use, so I donated. My role at IMMB is all things marketing and communications. I have a Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies and have worked in care coordinator since graduating. I am so thankful to be using my skills for such a worthy population. Aside from spending time with my baby girl and biking, I volunteer with the Junior League of Indianapolis. Feel free to contact me: chawkins@immb.org
LaShawnda Mayfield, Pasteurization Coordinator
I have been in the medical field for four years. Currently, I am attending IU for my Bachelors of Health and Science and later plan to continue to become a Nurse Practitioner. Although I breastfed my daughter, I had no idea how much she benefited or how much I could have helped others if I had donated. Now I am just as dedicated to spreading the word about the benefits of breastfeeding as I am to my job. A person is blind if they are unaware of the gifts they can give to the world.
Erin Connor, Pasteurization Tech
I joined the Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank in June and am very excited to be working where I know I am making a difference. I am a student at the Indiana University School of Nursing at IUPUI, and I am excited to continue learning here at IMMB. I am also involved in the Student Nurses Association at IU.
Jami Marvin, Pasteurization Tech
After my daughter was born, she spent almost a month in the hospital due to brain surgery. During that time, the only thing that I could think to do was to breastfeed. In my mind, since I couldn’t go through the surgery for her, I knew that I was giving her the best chance I could at getting through the surgery as a healthy baby girl. She made it through just fine and my husband and I realized the benefits that breastfeeding offered our daughter. Since then I have had an overwhelming passion for all things breastfeeding. I am so excited to have the opportunity to work for a passionate growing organization and look forward to what the future has to offer!
Board of Directors
I am a certified public accountant and mother to three beautiful, healthy children. I was fortunate enough to be able to breastfeed each of my three children until they were almost a year old. I was honored when presented with the opportunity to begin working with IMMB. In 2011, I became a breast milk donor, joined the IMMB board of directors and have since been named the Treasurer. As someone who has personally seen the benefits that human milk provides to babies, I am proud to be a part of IMMB and help other people learn about and take advantage of these benefits.
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