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Media Contact:
Jeanette Fierro
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Odessa Regional Medical Center
432-582-8399
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Odessa Regional Medical Center Recognized for Excellence in Lactation Care
ODESSA, TX (July 6, 2026)—Odessa Regional Medical Center has received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, the facility demonstrated that it has recently completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
“Receiving this recognition means so much because it speaks to the difference our team makes for families right here in the Permian Basin,” said Stacey Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Odessa Regional Medical Center. “For a new mother navigating the challenges of breastfeeding, having a skilled, certified lactation consultant by her side can make all the difference.”
Neelam Jawad, MBBS, MCPS, IBCLC, Chair of the Board of Directors of IBLCE recently shared, “IBCLCs bring skilled, compassionate care to families during some of their most vulnerable moments. They provide more than clinical support—they offer reassurance, confidence, and compassion when it matters most. We proudly recognize and deeply appreciate the CARE Award recipients for the heartfelt difference they make every day.”
IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.
Maxine Scringer-Wilkes BN, MN, RN, IBCLC, President of ILCA added, “Congratulations to the 2026 IBCLC Care Award recipients! Thank you for your continued commitment to promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding by employing IBCLCs. Your investment in skilled lactation care to carry out innovative initiatives and training strengthens the continuation of family-centered care from hospital through community.”
As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals and birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings, government agencies, and in research. The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the NCCA, the accreditation arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at [email protected].
About Odessa Regional Medical Center (ORMC)
Founded in 1975, ORMC has grown into a 211-bed, full-service healthcare facility, bringing together a robust team of physicians and a dedicated workforce to serve the community. Today, ORMC provides a spectrum of healthcare services, including diagnostic imaging, emergency care, innovative surgical services, maternity care, Level III Designated NICU, cardiac services, and general medical care. The hospital is fully accredited by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) under its NIAHO program—a quality and safety standard that integrates internationally recognized best practices.
