SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has recognized Regional West’s Birth and Infant Care Center as a Lactation Education Across Rural America (LEARN) Breastfeeding Hospital Champion.

The LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion campaign aims to increase breastfeeding in Nebraska using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey to support best practices and policies. To earn LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion status, hospitals must compile a group of breastfeeding champions, obtain and review the facility’s mPINC report, address gaps and implement action steps from the report, and complete yearly breastfeeding education audits.

Birth and Infant Care Center and Pediatrics Director Kynzie Lentfer, BSN, RN, CLC, said the designation reflects employees’ efforts in breastfeeding support.

“Being recognized as a LEARN Breastfeeding Hospital Champion by the Nebraska DHHS is a huge testament to the work that our certified lactation counselor, Amber Mendoza, BSN, RN, CLC, and Birth and Infant Care Center and Pediatrics employees put into helping our families achieve their feeding goals,” she said.

Mendoza said she enjoys the opportunity to support families on their breastfeeding journey.

“Getting the chance to help families during one of the most joyous times in their lives has been a rewarding opportunity.”

Regional West Medical Center is a breastfeeding-friendly facility, recognizing the lifelong benefits that breastfeeding offers both mothers and infants. In addition to providing breastfeeding education, certified lactation counselors (CLCs) are onsite to help families develop feeding plans, meet breastfeeding goals, and provide opportunities for support at home. Additionally, the Birth and Infant Care Center is a collection site for the Mothers’ Milk Bank Network and accepts breast milk donations from area mothers.

To learn more about the Birth and Infant Care Center’s breastfeeding support services, visit https://www.rwhs.org/services/family-children/birth-infant-care-center/breastfeeding-support or call our lactation office at 308-630-1954.

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West features an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics. Regional West offers comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.