Michelle Minnis

• Promote a nurturing environment to support new mothers as they breastfeed their preterm, late preterm or full term baby. Providing education not only for patients but also for the mother/baby and labor and delivery, and neonatal ICU staff nurses so they can best support their patients feeding goals. Promote a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate by ensuring new mothers have the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed at breastfeeding. Prior to my arrival their breastfeeding exclusivity rate was 13%. The current rate is now at 35%.

Promote a nurturing environment to support new mothers as they breastfeed their preterm, late preterm or full term baby. Providing education not only for patients but also for the mother/baby and labor and delivery staff nurses so they can best support their patients feeding goals. Promote a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate by ensuring new mothers have the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed at breastfeeding. Assisting with positioning, latching infant, hand expression, finger feedings and introducing nipple shields, breast shells, SNS, pumping and many other assistive devices necessary to increase the patients comfort and success. Teach the evening breastfeeding class for expectant parents twice a month and substitute for the Newborn Care Class and the Maternity Unit Group tour. Educate patients about newborn safe sleep to reduce incidence of SIDS. Answer lactation phone line questions presented by discharged lactating patients. Assist lactating patients on other inpatient units by setting up breast pumps, researching safety of medications prescribed with breastfeeding to ensure breastfeeding is minimally affected by their hospital admission. Support all patients emotionally by giving consistent positive feedback and encouragement. Assist mothers who have been discharged home in outpatient lactation through one on one counseling to correct any feeding issues that have been recognized after discharge from the hospital.

Registered nurse
St Luke's the Vintage - Houston, Tx
Mother/baby nurse fulfilling same role as held at Memorial Hermann in the Woodlands. In addition to roles held at Memorial Hermann, worked as lactation consultant one shift per week assisting inpatient mothers latch their baby and learn breastfeeding basics.

St. Luke’s the Woodlands - Full time lactation consultant. Assisted postpartum and NICU mothers latch their baby and learn breastfeeding basics. Held weekly breastfeeding support group for continued support of the breastfeeding mother in the initial 3 postpartum months. Promoted the Safe Sleep Gold Standard program and crib distribution. Completed discharge follow up calls to ensure patient satisfaction and to learn areas in which staff needed growth. Promoted teamwork within the family birth center by being willing to float to NICU and mother/baby to accept full pt load to help with staffing when needed, also willing to work different shifts / hours with staffing changes to ensure unit coverage. Assisted birth certificate clerk in releasing birth certificates to the state when census demanded.

Provided total care for pediatric patient with cerebral palsy in her home including; providing personal hygiene, administering medications / feedings via G tube, assessing pt each shift, monitoring pt for seizure activity using vagal stimulator as needed, traveled with family to MD visits, communicated with family and physician with any change in pt status, and coordinated pt care with pt, ot and speech therapy to ensure all physician orders were being followed.

Responsible for thorough assessment of the newborn and postpartum patient. Administered medications (PO, IV, IM), obtained vital signs, stabilized / transitioned infant at birth, drew ordered lab work on mother and baby, assisted with and promoted breastfeeding, performed as night shift lactation resource staff, provided in depth education on home care, follow up care, and safety. Taught the newborn care and sibling class for 7 years, developed and taught a discharge class that was offered daily, followed up on patients post discharge through telephonic call backs.

Responsible for triaging students as they presented to clinic. Administered prescription and OTC medications, monitored blood sugars of 3 diabetic students and administered insulin when necessary. Had 3 diabetic students one on an insulin pump, one who I administered SC insulin to following carb:insulin ratio calculation once per day, and one who received long acting insulin at home who I monitored blood sugars of at school when symptomatic. Communicated with parents daily. Held training for staff on use of epinephrine administration, glucagon pen administration, and use of glucometer. Prepared education packets on diabetic symptoms, and interventions for staff. Provided first aid for minor injuries and provided a safe space for students to come to for support as needed.