DAYTONA BEACH – Susan Bekken, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s BirthCare Center Lactation Nurse, has earned the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification.

Certification as an IBCLC demonstrates that Bekken has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in a broad range of health disciplines that focus on human lactation and breastfeeding. The IBCLC credential enhances professional credibility and increases consumer confidence.

IBCLCs like Bekken provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding. They also have the specialized skills needed to work with mothers to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems, as well as educate others about the far-reaching and long-lasting value of breastfeeding as a global public health imperative.

IBCLC certification standards are defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, a non-profit, independent, international certification body. These standards include prerequisite education in the health sciences, clinical experience in providing care to breastfeeding families and education in human lactation and breastfeeding.

Bekken has been a certified lactation counselor for 12 years at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s BirthCare Center. In addition to Bekken, two additional Lactation Consultants are planning to become IBCLC certified and four nurses will become certified lactation counselors within the next year. 

“This team of nurses will help families begin a legacy of breastfeeding so that our future leaders will be better nourished with more brain power,” said Bekken.

About Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center consists of three campuses, a 277-bed hospital in Daytona Beach, a 119-bed hospital in Ormond Beach and a new outpatient clinic located at the Pavilion at Port Orange. Our specialties include cardiology, emergency, hospice, home health, imaging, laboratory, oncology, obstetrics, neurosurgery, physician practices, rehabilitation and women’s services. Florida Hospital Memorial was named one of America’s 50 Best hospitals for 2010 by HealthGrades®, an independent healthcare ratings organization. Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center is among the top one percent of all hospitals nationwide for quality outcomes. For more information, visit www.floridahospitalmemorial.org.