For Lactation Program

(West Islip, NY) Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center joined in celebrating “Pave the Way to a Cure” World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 – 7, presenting certificates to all breastfeeding mothers who delivered that week and recognizing staff who promote breastfeeding. Good Samaritan Hospital recently received the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) Award in recognition of its International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs) and for providing a lactation program five to seven days a week for breastfeeding mothers. Good Samaritan is one of only eight hospitals in New York State to receive this honor.

“Breastfeeding rates are on the rise today, and with that dramatic increase the need for trained professionals who can help also increases.  Breastfeeding is natural and often works quite well without intervention.  However, sometimes mothers need extra support.  IBCLCs are the trained experts who know how to work with the entire health care team so a mother’s breastfeeding goals can be met,” stated Good Samaritan Hospital Lactation Consultant Lisa Kennedy, RN, BSN, IBCLC.

Additionally, breastfeeding support groups lead by IBCLCs are offered every Thursday, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at 661 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon (directly across from Good Samaritan’s Center for Pediatric Specialty Care) to mothers after discharge from the hospital, to help with any difficulties. Good Samaritan’s program offers a unique pump rental service, with pumps delivered bedside and new moms given instructions.

For additional information on breastfeeding services and support groups at Good Samaritan Hospital, call (631) 376-4444.

Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is a 537-bed (including 100 nursing home beds), voluntary, not-for-profit hospital located in West Islip.  The medical center, which has more than 4,500 employees and almost 900 physicians on staff, had nearly 30,000 patient admissions and more than 95,000 emergency department visits in 2011.  Good Samaritan is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Visit the website at www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

Good Samaritan provided more than $43 million in community service and charity care in 2011.  The medical center supplies residents with the tools necessary to maintain good health.  This includes community lectures, screenings, health fairs and other community programs and services.