Resume

Lactation Specialist - Especialista en Lactancia Materna

Gretchen Maritza del Coral Rivera Rigau de Cummings

(Spanish version)(versi�n en espa�ol)

Saludos, soy Gretchen Rivera de Cummings en mis �ltimos 20 a�os he estado trabajando como una Especialista en Lactancia, Consejera de Distrito, Coordinadora de L�deres y Aspirantes a L�der y L�der para La Liga de La Leche Internacional, organizaci�n sin fines de lucro)en el oeste de Puerto Rico, desde 1988.
En mi experiencia, he podido orientar y ayudar a m�s de 720 madres nuevas por a�o, a trav�s de reuniones mensuales, por tel�fono, visitas en el hogar, en charlas educativas a cursos de Parto sin Temor, a personal en Hospitales, a madres en cl�nicas WIC, en escuelas p�blicas, en Universidades a estudiantes, en el Internet, en programas de radio y televisi�n, y he ayudado a coordinar ferias de lactancia, desde 1988 hasta el presente. He ayudado a establecer 6 grupos de La Liga de la Leche de apoyo a madres lactantes en los pueblos de Mayaguez, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo, Ponce y Yauco y sigo trabajando arduamente como coordinadora de aspirantes a lideres de area (ACLA) con la meta de establecer un grupo de apoyo en cada pueblo de mi isla. Estoy trabajando tambien con EDU-Deportes de Mayaguez dando charlas de lactancia, parto, cuidado del beb�, seguridad en el Hogar y Disciplina con Amor, dirigida a todas las escuelas del area oeste, programa WIC y donde me llamen a dar charlas.

Aqui estoy con mis hijas Gretel y Carla en la Semana Mundial de la Lactancia Materna 2002 que me la dedicaron y me dieron reconocimiento y aqui estoy recibiendo la Proclama de La Liga de la Leche de la Primera Dama de Puerto Rico, Mar�a Elena Gonz�lez

La Lactancia Materna es un Arte aprendido y todas las madres se benefician de tener informaci�n correcta, est�mulo y apoyo para lactar a sus beb�s con �xito, desde su comienzo.

Aqui estoy junto a varias lideres en la mesa de la Liga de la Leche en la Semana Mundial de la Lactancia Materna en Plaza las Am�ricas, San Juan

Aqu� estoy con Marisol Acha Medina, mi "maestra" de La Liga que me ense�� much�simo de lactancia y grupos de apoyo. Gracias Marisol!!! :-))

RESUME

EDUCATION:

B.A., Arts, June 1980, Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez, P.R. Acredited Breastfeeding Specialist and Leader, La Leche Legue International, USA, 1988-2008.

Certificate of Attendance LLLI 1997 Int. Conference~Washington, D.C. sessions with 16.5 CERP's continuing education credit on Breastfeeding, Chilbirth and related topics.

University of P.R. Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez, 1997, Certified of .6 CERP's continuing education credit on Breastfeeding.

Universidad de P.R.,Recinto de Ciencias M�dicas, Colegio de Profesionales Relacionados con la Salud, 8 contact hours, on "Pr�ctica y Promoci�n de la Lactancia", June 19, 1997.

Internacional Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners � 1998 San Juan, P.R. (took exam)

Assoc. M�dica de P.R. and Proyecto Lacta 14 contact hours in continuing education on Breastfeeding, March, 26 and April 2, 1998.

University of P.R. School of Medicine, "Water Birth: a Natural Alternative", 5.00 credict hours, May 4, 1997.

University of P.R., Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez, Programa de Educaci�n Cont�nua, Depto. de Enfermer�a, �Avances de la Lactancia Materno-Infantil� 11 de abril de 1997 .6 (CEU)

University of P.R., Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez, Programa de Educaci�n Cont�nua, Depto. de Enfermer�a, 14 contact hours, "Doula: nuevo Concepto en Cuidado Pre-natal"- Compa�era de Parto.

Certificate of Attendance LLLI 1999 Int. Conference~Orlando, Florida D.C. sessions with 17.4 CERP's continuing education credit on Breastfeeding and Chilbirth related topics.

Family Centered Education, Inc., San Juan, P.R., Chilbirth Educator � (took course)

Co-founder of �Coalici�n de Lactancia C-Lacta, Inc.� Mayaguez, P.R. � 2006

Certificate of Attendance 2006 National Conference of States Coalitions January 21-13 in Alexandria, VA - United States Breastfeeding Coalitions (USBC) Conference - �Breastfeeding a Priority to Improve Public Health�.

University of P.R. Recinto de Ciencias M�dicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biosociales y Escuela Graduada de Salud P�blica, Divisi�n de Educaci�n Cont�nua y Estudios Profesionales - "El C�digo Internacional de Suced�neos de Leche Materna .8 unidades de eduaci�n cont�nua (U.E.C.), en categor�a I C�digo 00000, Feb.2007.

Certificate of Attendance La Leche League International - 2007 International Conference~Chicago, Illinois, sessions with 17.4 CERP's continuing education credit on Breastfeeding and Childbirht related topics.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

District Advisor (DA) of La Leche League Int. in Puerto Rico 1996-1997

Area Leader Letter (�Voluntarias�)(ALLE)

Area Coordinator of Leaders in Puerto Rico (CLA) 1997-98

West Area Coordinator of Leader Applicants (ACLA) of LLLI in P.R., 1998-99.

Area Coordinator of Leader Applicants (ACLA) of LLLI in P.R., 2007- to present

COUNSELING:

Since November 1988-2007

Counseling approximately 1,300 new mothers per year, in person or by phone, on Breastfeeding techniques, problem solving, emotional support, baby care, loving guidance, childbirth education, teen pregnancy and prevention.

Conducted LLLI Support Group's Monthly Meetings on Breastfeeding and Related Topics, in Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo (1988-2007), Ponce (1992- 94), Aguadilla (1993-06) and Yauco (1998-99), Lajas and A�asco.

Conducted Educational Talks on Breastfeeding: to WIC clinics, Hospitals, Childbirth clases, Universities, Public Schools, Radio and TV's programs, working with La Leche League Int. (1988-2008)

Work with EDU- Deportes de Mayaguez (1998-2001)and again 2007-2008 to present

ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION:

Recruit and Select Volunteers, Train Volunteers, Supervise Volunteers, Plan and Direct Activities and meetings.

COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS:

Speak before group, Write and edit Newsletter "Vollluntarias", Press release, Design LLLPR Web page, posters, Brochures and Fliers, Write a Wide Variety of Newspaper Articles on Breastfeeding and Related Topics, Distribute printed material, Create Advertisement and many promotional material.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Organized self help group in Ponce, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo, Mayaguez , Lajas, and Yauco.

Make new Leaders.

Visit mothers in Hospital or Home to give information and emotional support on Breastfeeding.

Rotarian Lady since 1994.

FUND RISING:

Solicit Funds by telephone, mail and door to door.

LANGUAGE:

Fluent in English and Spanish.

HOBBIES:

1999 - Founder and Director of Middle Eastern and Polynesian Dances Academy Arabian Dreams and Los Sultanes del Oeste, Artist Teacher and Watercolorist Painter. Web Page Developer (HTML code)

BREASTFEEDING EXPERIENCE:

15 years of successful Breastfeeding with my 3 babies thanks to La Leche League.

Aqui estoy con mi hija Gretel

My name is Gretchen Rivera de Cummings and I have been working as a Breastfeeding Specialist, District Advisor, Coordinator of Leaders Applicants and Leader for La Leche League International, a non-profit organization) in the west side of Puerto Rico, since 1988.
Specialy in my experience I have helped and oriented, in person, by phone, home and Hospital visits and by Internet, more than 720 new mothers per year.
Conducted breastfeeding monthly meetings to new mothers, educational talks to Hospital Staff, to WIC clinics, childbirth groups, public schools, University students, radio and TV programs, and had help coordinate breastfeeding fairs, since 1988 to present(1999). I have helped to established 6 La Leche League's breastfeeding mothers' support groups in the towns of Mayaguez, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo, Ponce and Yauco and still working very hard as an coordinator of Leader applicants (ACLA) to establish one in every town of my island.
Breastfeeding is a learn art.
All mothers will benefit to have the correct infomation and encouragement to breastfeed their babies with enjoyment and success from a good start. I am also working with EDU-Deportes de Mayaguez giving talks about breastfeeding, childbirth, Baby care, Loving guidance, in schools, WIC clinics and different places where I am invited to talk.

Aqui estoy haciendo los programas de lactancia para la televisi�n

I hope that when you read my articles (in spanish), you can understand more about the importance and multiple benefits that brings mother's milk when you breastfeeds your baby).
Happy Breastfeeding!

Espero que cuando leas mis art�culos, puedas entender un poco m�s sobre la importancia y los beneficios tan grandes de alimentar el beb� con leche materna hasta en tiempo de huracanes.

�Feliz Lactancia!