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OUr team
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Anne merewood, phd, mph
Director, center for health equity, education, & research (CHEER) Focus: Overall direction of CHEER Other Current Work: Director, CHAMPS; Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine; Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. Previous Work: Director of The Breastfeeding Center, Boston Medical Center; Consultant to numerous Native American tribes via the Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center; Editor in Chief of the Journal of Human Lactation Fun Fact: Owns a pit bull and raises chickens and ducks at home. Work Email: anne.merewood@bmc.org |
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laura burnham, mph
cheer project director Focus: Maternal and Child Health epidemiology and quality improvement. Previous/Other Current Work: Project Manager, Massachusetts NeoQIC Human Milk Collaborative; Quality Improvement Data Coordinator, Department of Neonatology, Boston Medical Center; Teaching assistant at both Boston University School of Public Health and Tufts University. Activities of Choice: I love to cook and garden. I also love the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. Fun Fact: My dog, Penne Pasta, is so cute she’s caused a traffic accident. She also knows how to sit, roll over, and shake. Work Phone: 617-414-6466 Work Email: laura.burnham@bmc.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-burnham-0708a825 |
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douglas rockwell, ba
cheer administrative director Other Current Work: Manager, Research Administration & Finance, Boston Medical Center |
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Paige Beliveau, MA
CHEER Project Manager Focus: Maternal and infant health, support for refugees in crisis situations, evidence-based policy implementation Previous/Other Current Work: Legal and forensic psychology, evaluation of sentencing policies at the state and federal level, treatment for domestic and sexual abuse, multicultural competency for healthcare practitioners Activities of Choice: Equestrian sports, running, cooking, and reading Fun Fact: In summer 2018 I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru! Work Phone: (617) 414-5865 Work Email : paige.beliveau@bmc.org |
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cara safon, mph
research project manager Focus: Maternal and child health, implementation science, program evaluation Previous/Other Current Work: Research Associate, Yale School of Public Health; Consultant, Pan-American Health Organization; Research Fellow-Mexico City, Yale University Fox International Fellowship Activities of Choice: Baking, horticulture, traveling Fun Fact: I love the ocean and am currently getting SCUBA-certified! Phone: 617-414-3585 Work Email: cara.safon@bmc.org |
consultants
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Kimarie Bugg, DNP, MPH, IBCLC, CLC
CHAMPS Community Engagement Director Focus: Community training, education and support. Community includes: healthcare professionals, the business and academic centers and organizations, mothers, babies and families. Previous/Other Current Work: Nurse practitioner and president and CEO of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere in Atlanta, GA. Activities of Choice: Providing resources for healthcare providers, mothers and their families so that breastfeeding can be initiated and maintained, especially in marginalized and vulnerable communities. Fun Fact: I love to dance. Work Phone: 404-719-4297 & 404-990-3497 Work Email : kbugg@breastfeedingrose.org |
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Lori Feldman-Winter, MD, MPH, FAAP, FABM
CHEER medical director Focus: Serves as content expert as a physician with breastfeeding medicine expertise as well as quality improvement and research experience. Also provides expertise as a clinical educator and program developer. Previous/Other Current Work: Lori Feldman-Winter, M.D., MPH, is Professor of Pediatrics at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the Division Head of Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper University Healthcare in Camden, NJ. She received her AB with honors from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, her MPH with distinction from the Rutgers School of Public Health, and her MD with AOA honors from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She trained in pediatrics and adolescent medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Feldman-Winter is recognized around the world for her work related to breastfeeding education programs and nutrition policy. She was the Physician Champion of the New Jersey Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, a project of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) New Jersey Chapter (AAPNJ), and the New Jersey Department of Health, member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Policy Committee for the AAP (national) Section on Breastfeeding, and was National Faculty Chair for the CDC funded National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ)- Best Fed Beginnings Project. She is consultant to the New Jersey Hospital Association’s Mother-Baby Hospital Initiative-Healthy Beginnings NJ. She is faculty co-chair of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau funded NICHQ-National Alliance Partnership for the Promotion of Safe Sleep-Improvement and Innovation Network (NAPPSS-IIN) project. She also serves as AAP representative to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, is a member of the AAP Task Force on SIDS, and Lead Author of Safe Sleep and Skin-to-Skin Care in the Neonatal Period for Healthy Term Newborns, Best Fed Beginnings: A Nationwide Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Breastfeeding, as well as over 100 peer-reviewed articles, published abstracts, and book chapters. She is currently consultant and Physician Lead to the Kellogg funded Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices (CHAMPS) Project, a project of CHEER. Activities of Choice: Besides working as a pediatrician, quality improvement content expert and researcher, I am a co-course director for a novel 4-year medical school curriculum, “The Scholars Workshop.” In my free time, I enjoy family vacations, skiing, hiking, and escaping to my home-away-from-home in the Berkshires. Fun Fact: As an undergraduate, I was a combined biology and fine arts major, and continue to enjoy painting and decorating. Work Phone number: 856-968-7362 Work email: winter-lori@cooperhealth.edu LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-feldman-winter-b6948037/ |
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Jennifer ustianov, MS, BSN, RN, IBCLC
champs sustainabIlity director Focus: During the past 16 years, I have directed regional, statewide and international projects focused on improving outcomes for pregnant women, newborns and families. Through these opportunities, I have acquired and leveraged extensive knowledge in quality improvement methodology, teamwork model, patient safety, and system re-design. In the spirit of true collaboration and action, I seek always to partner with families, leaders and frontline professionals in clinical and community settings to guide transformational change. As an AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, I have worked with hospital and practice-based teams in varied acute and ambulatory settings, providing expertise in the field of Teamwork and Patient Safety. I remain clinically active and am a passionate volunteer in my community. Previous/Other Current Work: RN for over 35 years within all areas of maternal child health with a specific focus in NICU and Labour and Delivery; IBCLC, prenatal educator Activities of Choice: ILaughing AND anything that puts me in direct contact with our natural world: hiking, biking, swimming, camping, silent boating, etc. Fun Fact: I paddled a 100-mile canoe trip in Northern Ontario, Canada and have walked 60 miles in 3 days for charity. Work Phone: 802-318-0786 Work Email: justianov@gmail.com |
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Airinie h. azhar, BSc
cheer national coordinator for greece Focus: coordination of CHEER in Greece, Infant Nutrition and education. Previous/Other Current Work: Finance & IT Manager, Guardian for Unaccompanied Minors, Personal Assistant, Food & Lifestyle Blogger Activities of Choice: I love to cook. I hike sometimes and play the piano when I have free time. Amateur photographer. Fun Fact: I can play the ukulele, and love to sing and dance. Occasionally all of them at the same time. Work Contact: airinie.azhar@gmail.com |
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Cathy Carothers, BLA, IBCLC, FILCA
Mississippi Liaison and trainer Focus: With over 20 years providing lactation-related training programs in every U.S. State, Cathy is passionate about educating health care professionals who work with new families. She is co-director of Every Mother, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Mississippi that develops breastfeeding training curricula for Federal agencies such as the national USDA WIC program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She developed the CHAMPS 4-hour competency training for hospitals and provides it for CHAMPS hospitals in Mississippi. Previous/Other Current Work: She is the former State WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Mississippi State Department of Health, former Training and Outreach Coordinator for Best Start Social Marketing (which developed the national WIC marketing campaign, Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work), and a former university public relations director. Activities of Choice: Photography, presentation design, travel, teaching, and meeting the most amazing people who work with new families! Fun Fact: Mom of 5 healthy breastfed children and Nana to 5 breastfed grandchildren. Work Phone number: 662-931-6368 Work Email: cathy@everymother.org LinkedIn URL: cathy@everymother.org |
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Tawanda Logan-Hurt, BSW, CLC
CHAMPS MISSISSIPPI Delta Community & Hospital Consultant Focus: Working with community breastfeeding groups and hospital maternity staff on breastfeeding education Previous/Other Current Work: Mississippi State Department of Health Region 1 Breastfeeding Coordinator. Previous work: Hospital, Nursing Home, and Head Start Social Worker Activities of Choice: Attending church and spending time with family and friends by gathering together socializing, traveling and going out to eat. Fun Fact: I am the biological mother of 6, step mother of 3, and grandmother of 2. Work Phone number: 662-455-9429 Work email: tawanda.logan-hurt@msdh.ms.gov CHEER/CHAMPS email: tawandah13@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tawanda-hurt-1a7154b/ |
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Becky Knapp, RN, MPH
mississippi champs hospital consultant Focus: Maternal and child health, breastfeeding, reducing health disparities Previous/Other Current Work: Maternal and child health nursing in hospitals around the country, Maternal and child health nursing home visitor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit research nursing Activities of Choice: Running, hiking and camping, knitting, playing with my family Fun Fact: I've driven across the country three times. My copilots have included my pet fish and my pup! Work Phone: 509-654-5275 Work Email: rebecca.knapp@bmc.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/beckyknapp/ |
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Jackie Berger, MS
CHEER CONsultant Focus: American Indian/Alaska Native Projects Previous/Other Current Work: Blackfeet Community Health Assessment, AI/AN Community Health Assessments, MSPI/DVPI technical assistance, T-PHIT (Tribal Public Health Improvement Templates). Activities of Choice: As a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida, I investigate the role of the body in human rights violations, using both my forensic anthropology background and public health experience. In my spare time, I love fitness, reading, and baking! Fun Fact: I was raised in Colorado and currently live in Florida. I love the mountains and the beach! Cell Phone: 303-547-2064 Work Email: Jacqueline.Berger@bmc.org |
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Nathan Nickel, PhD, MPH
CHEER Data Consultant Focus: Statistical analyses for causal inference, analysis of linked administrative data in health research, evaluation research, population maternal and child health, and maternal and child health policies. Other Current Work: Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences; Research Scientist at Manitoba Centre for Health Policy; Instructor for graduate course in Epidemiology at University of Manitoba; Member of Executive Counsel for International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation; Scientific Chair of Breastfeeding for the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association; Member of Board of Directors for Sexuality Education Resource Centre of Manitoba. Activities of Choice: I enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, sailing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Fun Fact: The first date that I had with my spouse involved a road trip across five states to go to a waterski competition in which I was competing. At the end of the weekend, we figured, if we could survive a road trip across five states as a first date, we should give dating a go. We’ve been together for 10 years! Work Email: ncnickel@gmail.com |
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Amy swales, bsn, rnc-ob
mississippi champs hospital consultant Focus: Maternal and child health, improving maternity practices Other Current Work: Labor and delivery RN, clinical educator, maternal and child home visiting program. Activities of Choice: Being outdoors and attending the sporting events of my 2 active boys. Fun Fact: I have goats as pets. Work Phone: 601-573-0271 Work Email: amyswales226@icloud.com |
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Stephanie Matlak, MSW, MFA
CHEER Communications Consultant Focus: CHEER Champion of the Week blog, press releases, contracting. Activities of Choice: Hiking, reading, spending time with family and friends. Fun Fact: Most of my relatives live in Ecuador and I love traveling there. |
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shaista karimi, BSC
CHEER Consultant in greece Focus: I am a breastfeeding counselor and interpreter for CHEER in Greece. Previous/Other Current Work: I am a physiotherapist from Afghanistan with experience in breastfeeding counseling and support. I currently work as an interpreter for AMURTEL in Athens, Greece. I came to Greece as a refugee and have settled in Athens with my children and husband. I am fluent in Farsi, Pashtu, and Urdu. Fun Fact: In addition to my 20 years' experience as a physiotherapist in Afghanistan, I have worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Red Cross, and as a volunteer interpreter on the Greek islands. I have a certification in women's health and pelvic floor physiotherapy. Work Contact: shaistakarimi1970@gmail.com |
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ANDREIA CARDOSO
CHEER Consultant in greece Focus: driven by human-kind, explore the world and develop solutions for its challenges Previous/Other Current Work: Co-founder and President of MyFriend Humanitarian Association, student of a Master of Arts in International Relations. Fun Fact: Once I went to Denmark by mistake... my destination was Warsaw, Poland. Work Contact: andreia.gomes.cardoso@gmail.com |
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Katerina balaska, rd, msc, ibclc
CHEER Consultant in greece Focus: I am a nutritionist and International Certified Breast Advisor - IBCLC. Previous/Other Current Work: I studied Nutrition and Dieteics at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, and did my MSc in Nutrition, Exercise, and Public Health at the University of Bristol in England. I have specialized in the nutritional management of eating disorders with the Diploma in Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders from the UK National Center for Eating Disorders in Greece. Fun Fact: In 2012 I was certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Work Contact: balaskakaterina@yahoo.com |
volunteers
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lena ploumi
volunteer, cheer in greece Focus: I am a breastfeeding counselor for CHEER in Greece. Previous/Other Current Work: I am currently majoring in Community Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University West Attica, Greece. In addition, I am participating in EDUVAC - an intensive course on vaccinations in Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. I have experience in clinical practice on maternal and child healthcare stations in Athens, Greece, as well as experience in health promotion in the community, both in the field of vaccination and breastfeeding. I have also worked as a volunteer with refugee populations in Greece. Fun Fact: I love learning about new cultures and never miss a chance for traveling! Work Contact: lenaploumi@hotmail.co.uk |
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Yildiz gumustekin
volunteer, cheer in greece Focus: Protection standards-driven interventions for migrants and displacement populations, mental health and psycho-social support, social cohesion and interventions for refugees and host communities. Previous/Other Current Work: Protection Assistant, Danish Refugee Council. Fun Fact: I love the sky and follow planet movements. Work Contact: yldzgmstkn@gmail.com |
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EVA KORDOSI
volunteer, cheer in greece Focus: I am currently majoring in Community Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Unviersity of West Attica, Greece as a health visitor. In addition, I am participating in EDUVAC, an intensive course on vaccinations in Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. Previous/Other Current Work: I have experience in clinical practice on Maternity and Child Healthcare Stations in Athens, Greece, and have experience in health promotion in the community, both in the field of vaccination and breastfeeding. In the past, I have also worked voluntarily with refugee populations in Greece. I was also volunteering in a center for children with Down Syndrome and was participating in "love meals" for homeless populations. Fun Fact: I like to travel and meet new cultures and places all over the world. I also like photography, music, and cinema! Work Contact: evakordosi68@gmail.com |
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Maetal haas-kogan, ba
volunteer, cheer Focus: Maternal and child health, national and international public health and health policy, policy and program evaluation and implementation Previous/Other Current Work: Research Trainee, Division of Women's Health; Intern, San Francisco Jail Behavioral Health Sciences; HIV testing and treatment research in South Africa; Intern, Outreach and Communications, ACLU of Alabama; Peer counselor; Dialogue Facilitation Activities of Choice: Running, hiking, rock climbing, hip hop dance, reading Fun Fact: I backpacked the width of Israel in 3 days! Work Contact: mkogan@college.harvard.edu |
