Ginger Carney, Clinical Director of Nutrition at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, was recently named by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) as a fellow. This is the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

The Fellow of ILCA program was instituted to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the profession of lactation consulting and to their professional organizations. Only 16 out of ILCA's 4,700 members worldwide have earned the title of Fellow.

Carney began her career at Le Bonheur Children’s 30 years ago as a pediatric clinical dietitian. After discerning a need for a support system for breastfeeding mothers and babies, she became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

“Le Bonheur provided me with the opportunity to learn from our patients and families what was needed to develop a comprehensive breastfeeding program,” Carney said.

Carney partnered with other lactation consultants to form the Memphis chapter of ILCA in 1987. The chapter provides continuing education on breastfeeding to Le Bonheur physicians and other perinatal health care professionals. In 2003, she initiated Le Bonheur’s donor milk program, which allows many of our most critically ill neonates a chance to grow and develop with the added nutrients of breast milk.

“I am grateful to have had the ability to serve our patients and families as a lactation consultant over the years at Le Bonheur,” said Carney. “It is a great honor to be recognized now as a Fellow of the ILCA.”