Welcome to the Massachusetts Lactation Consultant Association! I hope you are here because you are on the journey of promoting, supporting and protecting breastfeeding for mothers and babies everywhere, particularly in Massachusetts. If so, it is also my hope that you will find support for your journey, and that you will consider supporting others on their journey as well.As each new year begins, it typically brings with it a sense of hope and optimism. I realize that as 2017 begins, there are some events that instead of causing hope and optimism are causing despair and division among family, friends and colleagues. When people feel strongly about issues, and the stakes are high, there is a tendency to become less inclined to work together, and the divisions become wider. I imagine some of you have experienced that kind of division in your careers as lactation consultants – I know I have.My vision for this organization is that as lactation professionals we can be united in our common goal of providing the best care possible to breastfeeding families in Massachusetts. Whether you are currently and IBCLC, a peer counselor, home visitor, physician, or an aspiring lactation professional, I hope you will find support here and that you will feel represented and welcome at our meetings, at our conferences and on our website. We’re here for you – and we need to hear from all of you as to what that should look like in the coming year.Yes, we may have different roles, different opinions, different practices, but we are all on this journey together - most likely begining from the same place – wanting to help mothers to breastfeed. With that as our foundation, I believe we have much more in common than not.As we begin this journey – a new year, a new organization, and changes all around us, it is my hope that our common goals and unity will help us to build a strong organization, a strong profession and strong connections with each other. If you feel the same – I hope you’ll join us.I look forward to meeting and working with each of you – I’m hopeful and optimistic that 2017 will be an exciting year for all of us!Sincerely,Mary FoleyPresidentMLCA
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