Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine Fellowship
Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine Fellowship
The Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine Fellowship at the University of Rochester was started under the auspices of the General Pediatric Fellowship Program in 2014, and continued with support from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics. This is an on-site fellowship program.
This is the first formal breastfeeding and lactation medicine fellowship in the world, designed to train doctors and health professionals in: advanced care of the breastfeeding dyad; community and organizational supports for breastfeeding; and breastfeeding research, including public health and biomedical opportunities.
We accept healthcare providers trained in across the continuum of family health, including pediatrics, obstetrics, midwifery, family medicine, preventive medicine, and internal medicine. Applicants should be post-graduate healthcare providers, trained as MD, DO, CNM, or DNP.
The fellowship is under the direction of Casey Rosen-Carole, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.Ed., F.A.B.M., a pediatrician who herself completed the fellowship under Dr. Ruth Lawrence.
Mission and Vision
Our goal is to train post-graduate level candidates to assume clinical, academic, research, policy making or community leadership careers in breastfeeding and lactation medicine.
The exact nature of the training program will depend on the background and needs of the applicant; however, the fellowship is intended to develop clinical excellence in breastfeeding and lactation medicine.
Fellowship Structure
This is a departmental fellowship, which means it is administered under the Department of Pediatrics. There are no ACGME-accredited fellowships in the field of Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine. Fellows are therefore hired as URMC employees, are paid a fellowship salary with benefits, and are appointed as Clinical Instructors.
While original designed in a less structured way, the fellowship has been in existence for many years under Dr. Ruth Lawrence. Dr. Lawrence is the founder of lactation medicine field, and is well known internationally for her work. Learn about Dr. Lawrence's Legacy.
Since 2018, Dr. Rosen-Carole has been the director of the Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine clinical program and fellowship director. The program aims to have 1 fellow every 2-3 years.
Educational Goals
At the end of fellowship, fellows are expected to be able to:
- Participate actively in clinical care, program innovation, policy development, and advocacy that addresses the needs of the underserved and minority children and families, with a specific focus on breastfeeding success
- Teach other healthcare providers to recognize and address the multifaceted issues that affect breastfeeding dyads and lactating families
- If on a research track:
- Consider obtaining an advanced degree in public health, education, or research.
- Conduct research directed to breastfeeding as independent, extramurally funded investigators.