Tucked snugly in northern Collin County, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen (PHA) boasts more than 425 physicians and comprehensive medical care that proudly serves thousands of local residents. Despite its suburban presence, the hospital recently received state and nationwide recognition as Texas’ first “Baby-Friendly Hospital” (awarded by the World Health Organization, WHO, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF). There are only 68 baby-friendly hospitals in the U.S.
To learn more about this award and the groundbreaking breastfeeding program at the hospital, DallasChild spoke with PHA President Sheila McKinney, who’s made it her mission to support breastfeeding education.
"I’ve been in Texas since about 1997. I moved from Roanoke, Va., where I worked in healthcare administration (at four different hospitals) since 1984. Upon moving to Dallas, I served as vice president of ambulatory diagnostic services at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas (PHD). It was during my time at PHD that I was able to lend a hand to the planning of the Allen hospital. I jumped on board as president, because I had experience in running small hospitals.
→ The Family Birthplace is a center for personalized care during labor, delivery and recovery. Here, moms will find a family-centered environment that keeps the newborn at the mother’s bedside. The center also offers a level-II neonatal nursery.
Most importantly, The Family Birthplace is home to a team of lactation consultants who help new moms adjust to breastfeeding. Beyond the birthing experience, the team of nurses and physicians in the Birthplace help support mothers with a variety of education programs (available before and after birth). Recently, we had a wide turnout for a class called “What Are Your Options in Labor.”
→ The status of baby-friendly is determined by the WHO and UNICEF – these organizations lead an international program called the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The award acknowledges hospitals providing a high level of attention to lactation care.
It’s a process, and it’s something that our lactation coordinator and the director of The Family Birthplace have been working toward for nearly two years. All of our nurses in The Family Birthplace are trained in providing lactation support and education to new moms. And, our Birthplace has all the resources needed for breastfeeding. Most notable, however, is that our hospital does not provide formula to new moms. We throw all our effort into breastfeeding, as we feel that it’s the healthiest way to start off a child’s life.
→ This is an award that we’re very proud of – we’re proud of our employees and all of the people who worked so hard to achieve this recognition. Our nurses are very passionate about breastfeeding and creating a more nurturing place for our moms. This award will perhaps speak to our future moms, letting them know that, yes, we are baby-friendly, and we can offer you children the healthiest start in life — which we believe is breastfeeding.
→ I share the same message to expectant moms that I do to anyone looking for healthcare – do your homework. Ask yourself, “What’s ideal to me?” Many women spend all nine months learning about the birth experience. But what comes next? Figure out what’s right for you, and make your own birth plan by knowing your options. But also know that breastfeeding doesn’t come easy to everyone.
I think it’s important for moms to have the support of a lactation consultant and/or nurse who can help ease the transition. In previous generations, breastfeeding education was shared from generation to generation – now not everyone has that education and women need that support at their hospital.
→ It’s not easy to balance everything in my life and at the hospital – I have a lot of great employees (it’s true that it takes a village). While I don’t have children, I’m still very connected and involved with family members. I also make a point to enjoy my free time; I love to read and shop. These hobbies offer me a reprieve that helps feed my creative needs – this creativity feeds into my success at my job. And, I love to spend time outdoors, walking my dog, Max."
