August Is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
In celebration of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we’re featuring recent graduate Nadeje Camy. She recently received her Human Lactation certificate through the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and is currently a Senior Health Educator in a WIC clinic in South Florida. As a mother of two kids, Camy is inspired to increase breastfeeding rates among minority groups. Her multilingual skills in French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish allow her the ability and opportunity to work seamlessly with communities of color.
What degrees do you currently hold, in addition to the human lactation certificate?
In addition to my IBCLC certification, I hold an MD degree and a certification from the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates).
What inspired you to pursue the human lactation certificate?
In my personal life, I’ve always been a breastfeeding advocate. However, I didn’t know I could make a career out of it until three years ago when I learned about IBCLC by coincidence or I should preferably say, it was fate. My daughters’ pediatrician, who happens to also be a friend, mistakenly texted me a link about lactation services. I looked it up and learned about the different pathways to become an IBCLC.
At that time, I was working as a case manager in an internal medicine practice. Most of my work consisted in reviewing medical charts and I was feeling disconnected from my passion which is to educate people and promote healthy behaviors. On a side note, becoming a mother has always been my biggest accomplishment and pride. I enjoyed breastfeeding my daughters, so connecting my passion, interest and personal experience into this career choice felt natural.
Did you face any challenges in entering the program or at any point during your academic journey that you were able to overcome?
I faced several challenges, one of them being to manage my full-time time job, family and classes. The major challenge however, was to find a clinical site in South Florida to complete my training. Thanks to the diligence of the PSU lactation program director, Michelle Bressler, I was able to complete my practicum at HCA Kendall Hospital under the supervision of two amazing preceptors. Overall, the instructors and faculty at PSU have been a constant source of support in helping not only me, but all of us (my cohort) to overcome obstacles.
What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world with your newly obtained certificate?
As a new IBCLC, I hope to make the breastfeeding topic so relevant and accepted among all ages and social groups that social rules will bend in favor of breastfeeding families and bring significant changes like paid maternity leave.
What do you want other mothers/others to know about the benefits of seeking a human lactation expert?
Seeking a human lactation expert is one of the most valuable resources to succeed on one’s breastfeeding/ chestfeeding journey. It gives parents access to evidence based information, provides support and uses the experience of other families to expand and reinforce networks. It allows parents to make decisions based on what works for their family. It empowers them.
Learn more about the Human Lactation Certificate program!