Elizabeth (Libby) Sullivan is an Occupational Therapist at Thom Pentucket Early Intervention and was one of the recipients of this year’s Fazzio Scholarship. Libby used the Fazzio funds to complete the 95-hour Center for Breastfeeding’s Lactation Counselor Training Course, skillfully balancing the training hours with the many activities required of a full-time EI clinician. After completing the training, Libby passed the certification exam and is now a Certified Lactation Counselor.
Libby is passionate about supporting caregivers around feeding challenges of all kinds and currently co-leads our weekly Food Explorers group. Her goal in attending the training was to better support breastfeeding parents. Libby noted in her scholarship application, “When breastfeeding goes smoothly, parents feel empowered and content in their caregiving role. However, when breastfeeding challenges arise, parents often feel defeated, leading to anxiety about their baby’s growth and their own caregiving abilities. This training will equip me with the tools to support and empower parents, helping them navigate challenges and fostering a stronger, more positive relationship with their infant’s feeding routine.”
Since completing the training and receiving her certification, Libby has been eager to put her expertise to use to support both families and other clinicians in the program. She recently helped lead an all-program training, sharing a handout she had developed on questions to ask parents who are breastfeeding and red flags that might suggest that a referral to a clinician with lactation training might be helpful.
We are proud of Libby’s dedication and excited to see the lasting impact her expanded expertise will have on the families and colleagues she serves.
