The Association of Lactation Consultants of Ireland (ALCI) will be hosting its annual Conference online. The Conference will be live on Saturday 2nd October and is open to members and non-members alike. There is a fantastic line up of speakers including keynotes speaker Cathy Watson Genna and Dr. Jenny Thomas. Here is the ALCI Conference 2021 Timetable.
Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice in New York City. Certified in 1992, Catherine is particularly interested in helping moms and babies breastfeed when they have medical challenges. She speaks to healthcare professionals around the world on assisting breastfeeding babies with anatomical, genetic or neurological problems. She is the author of Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools: Improving Care and Outcomes and Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants 3rd edition. Catherine served as associate editor of the journal Clinical Lactation, and researches breastfeeding biomechanics with Columbia and TelAviv Universities.
Dr. Jenny Thomas is a paediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist at in Franklin, Wisconsin and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine and Paediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). She received her MD from MCW in 1993, and her MPH in 2011. She has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2003. She is now serving on the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) Section on Breastfeeding Executive Board after spending several years as the Chief of the Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinators. She is the author of “Dr. Jen’s Guide to Breastfeeding.” She is one of only a few physicians internationally to be recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (FABM) for her expertise on breastfeeding. Dr. Thomas’ interests and research have focused on issues related to the use of social media to support breastfeeding mothers.
There will be three case studies on the day with speakers including ALCI Past President Margaret Hynes IBCLC who will address a case study of breastfeeding following a mastectomy, Patricia Marteinsson IBCLC who will address a case study of severe breastmilk overproduction, and ALCI Immediate Past President Sue Jameson IBCLC who will address cleft palate. Other presentations will include a National Update, a session on Reflux with Carol Smyth IBCLC, a session on Therapeutic Ultrasound with Kathryn Downey IBCLC and Mairead McCahill-Riley IBCLC and a session on Infant Mental Health with Marie Meagher Crowley IBCLC and Rosarii O’Donnell. During the live event, participants will be welcome to submit questions and time will be allocated at the end of each session for answers. The Conference will be recorded and made available for a further month for delegates to watch.
The Conference will include a Poster Competition and the announcement of the six winners of the Scholarship Competition. Bursaries are available for ALCI members. ALCI are proud to be offering online education to members, while staying apart to stay safe. The Conference costs € 55 for members and € 85 for non-members. New memberships are welcome with membership lasting until January 31st 2022. Email info@alcireland.ie with any queries. Book here.
