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Kaiserslautern American
October 7, 2016
LRMC offers new pod for nursing moms
Courtesy photos
Col. Stephen Hall, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center deputy commander for nursing; Lt. Col. Cynthia Sanchez, LRMC chief nurse for women's health and newborn care; and Col. (Dr.) Claude Burnett, LRMC chief of women's health and newborn care, cut a ribbon to officially open the first lactation support pod in a military facility in Europe Sept. 15 at LRMC. The LSP offers moms a quiet and private place to breastfeed or pump in a convenient location, on LRMC’s 2nd floor above the information desk in the middle of the hospital.
Courtesy of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs Landstuhl Regional Medical Center proudly supports breastfeeding and mothers are always welcome to breastfeed anywhere they like. For moms who are looking for some privacy while they nurse or pump, LRMC now offers an additional clean, comfortable and secure option. The Division of Women’s Health & Newborn Care team officially opened
a lactation support pod Sept. 15. “I work here and I also delivered my son here,” said Capt. Amatul Davis, labor and delivery nurse at LRMC. “I take advantage of all the lactation rooms throughout the hospital. It is so convenient to have them available in Pediatrics and the Mother’s Room on either side of LRMC. This new space is great because it is right in the middle of the hospital.” The LSP is a free-standing lacta-
Capt. Amatul Davis, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center labor and delivery nurse, holds her son Sept. 15 in the new lactation support pod following a ribbon cutting ceremony at LRMC.
tion station that provides nursing mothers a well-designed space to pump and or nurse in privacy when they are at LRMC. “Of course, moms can breastfeed in all federal buildings but we are excited to also offer moms a variety of options to meet their needs,” said Beth Eastman, LRMC Lactation Consultant. “This is fantastic for our patients and staff.” The LSP provides seating, a table and a power supply to utilize a breast
pump, as well as room for diaper bags or a small stroller. The LRMC LSP is located on the 2nd floor, above the Information Desk known as Four Corners. LRMC is the first U.S. military facility in Europe to offer an LSP, and only the second military hospital to offer an LSP; the other location is Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base LewisMcChord. For more information about lactation support, call 06371-9464-5230.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Courtesy of Family Advocacy Program During calendar year 2015, there were over seven thousand incidents that met criteria for domestic violence within the Air Force. In U.S. Air Forces in Europe, over seven hundred cases met criteria for domestic violence during that same time period. What this tells us is that we must continue to confront the issue of domestic violence within our military community. Domestic violence occurs in families of diverse educational, racial and/or socio economic status. In most instances women are the victims of domestic violence; however men are also victims in 37 percent of cases. You may wonder what you can do to help prevent domestic vio-
lence. The answer is easier than you may think. Prevention starts with each of us making a conscious effort to speak out against inappropriate comments and behavior that enables abuse. Becoming an active bystander when abuse is occurring can be essential for offender accountability and support for victims. It is also important to create an atmosphere at work and at home of zero tolerance for abuse. Finally, domestic violence prevention can also take the form of developing positive relationships with others and teaching children to do the same. The Ramstein Family Advocacy Program provides service members and their dependents with 24-hour support and consultation. During duty hours, you can call our office at 479-2370 or 06371-46-2370 to
speak with our victim advocate or professional treatment manager. For after-hours support, you can reach a victim advocate directly by dialing 0173-628-4624. If you are the perpetrator of domestic violence, you can talk with a professional counselor at Family Advocacy or you can talk with a base chaplain. Oftentimes, the perpetrators of domestic violence are themselves the victims of domestic violence either directly or indirectly by having seen domestic violence in their homes as children. Family Advocacy also offers couple’s communication counseling and relationship classes in an effort to help couples learn effective ways of communicating. In addition, parenting classes are offered in order to give parents tools to help employ healthy relationships
with their children. Other outreach services include Dads’ 101 classes for first time fathers, Anger and Stress Management classes and family counseling. Domestic violence is a crime. No one wants to fall victim to domestic violence, but it happens all too often within our military community. We all can do our part to help the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence by directing them to helping agencies, where they can receive immediate assistance and support, including Family Advocacy, the base chapel, Military Family Life Consultants and the Airmen Family Readiness Center. Join Family Advocacy in proclaiming October 2016 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month — “Silence Hides Violence! Speak Up: Be Part of the Solution.”