25 years ago, the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland (ALCI) was founded, concurrent with the qualification of the first Irish International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). ALCI are delighted to be celebrating this anniversary with an All Ireland Breastfeeding Conference themed “Celebrating 25 Years of IBCLCs Making A Difference”. The conference takes place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October, in the middle of National Breastfeeding Week (October 1st to 7th), in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley. Dublin. The timetable is available here.
The Keynote Speaker will be Denise Altman IBCLC, owner of All The Best in Columbia, South Carolina. She has worked in a variety of roles in the healthcare system from staff nurse to clinical educator, with experience in Maternal/Child Health since 1992. She has authored numerous articles for parents and healthcare professionals, as well as two medical textbooks, “History and Assessment: It’s All in the Details” and “Mentoring Our Future”. Denise has served on the Editorial Review Board for Clinical Lactation since the first issue in 2010. At the ALCI Conference, Denise will speak on topics including “History and Assessment”, “The Complicated Mother”, “Passion to Ashes: Burning Out and Burning Up”’, “Baby Issues that Impact Breastfeeding” and “Mentoring Our Future”.
Other speakers will include Prof. Roy Philips, Lorraine O’Hagan IBCLC and Siobhán Hourigan (National Breastfeeding Coordinator). Sue Jameson IBCLC and Genevieve Becker IBCLC, both of whom became IBCLCs 25 years ago, will also speak. There will be three workshops on Saturday, facilitated by Nicola O’Byrne IBCLC, Denise Altman IBCLC and Ger Cahill IBCLC, and each delegate will partake in each one. The Conference will once again be a venue for the Quintessence Challenge, and any breastfeeding mothers present are welcome to partake.
As part of ALCI’s 25th anniversary celebrations, this new website and logo have been designed. The website will be officially launched at the conference, and this year for the first time, conference bookings can be made online. Be sure to book by Wednesday 24th September 2014 to avail of Early Bird Rates. Handouts, lunch and refreshments are included in the registration fee which is €110 for ALCI members (for both days) or €70 (for one day) and €160 for non-members (for both days) and €120 for non-members (for one day). Why not join ALCI now to avail of the discount? Full-time undergraduate students in relevant professions may register for a fee of €45. IBCLE CERPs and An Bord Altranais CMUs have been applied for.
As part of ALCI’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, an annual Scholarship has been launched to help first-time IBCLCs. Conference participants are invited to submit research and practice posters for display, discussion, and award.
All delegates, members of ALCI, past members of ALCI, and family members are welcome to a social event on Friday 3rd October in the Clarion Hotel at 8pm. This evening will be a lovely opportunity to mingle and relax and to celebrate 25 years of IBCLCs Making A Difference! The event is free, but please RSVP (either via the website if you are attending the conference, or email info@alcireland.ie if you wish to attend the social event without attending the conference).
With 8 plenary presentations and 3 workshops, over 2 days, plus research posters, networking, new product information and much more, the ALCI Annual Conference is the premier event for health workers involved in assisting breastfeeding in Ireland.
