Interprofessional Collaboration to Optimize Support for Lactating Persons

This session will explore the role of lactation consultants and physical therapists in supporting lactating individuals. Mastitis has been reported to impact 7-10% of lactating persons in the United States and can lead to the cessation of chestfeeding. Lactation consultants and physical therapists can play an integral role in helping individuals continue to chestfeed. A board certified lactation consultant and pelvic health physical therapist will present on their respective roles in treating this patient population and outline a model of care which includes cross disciplinary referrals between OB/GYN’s, midwives, lactation consultants, and physical therapists. The session will include a review of the current available evidence regarding therapeutic ultrasound for treating clogged milk ducts, as well as a summary of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will understand the pathophysiology of mastitis and how it is medically diagnosed and treated.
2. Participants will be able to describe the specific functions and roles of lactation consultants and physical therapists in treating lactating individuals
   with disorders of chestfeeding.
3. Participants will be able to describe three specific interventions physical therapists can provide to support lactating individuals.

Meet Our Presenters

Justine Ward, PT, DPT, WCS, CBBA

Justine practices at Valley Hospital in Mahwah, NJ, where she launched the outpatient rehabilitation Pelvic Health program in 2020. In February 2024, she took on a new role as one of the Prenatal/Postpartum Special Interest Group Directors for the Academy of Pelvic Health. Since then, she has co-produced the "Pregnancy Exercise Do’s and Don’ts" handout for Academy members. In her work, Justine has presented to dozens of OB/GYNs and midwives within the Valley Health System, educating them on the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy and the use of therapeutic ultrasound to treat clogged milk ducts. Her efforts led to the creation of a cross-disciplinary program supporting lactating individuals dealing with issues like blocked milk ducts and mastitis. Passionate about providing evidence-based, inclusive, and personalized care, Justine is dedicated to supporting prenatal and postpartum individuals. Having breastfed both of her children, she looks forward to continuing her breastfeeding journey with her newest family addition, expected in February 2025.

Katie Ver Hage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC

Katie VerHage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC earned her BSN from Rutgers University College of Nursing in 2003 and her Master’s of Nursing from Norwich University in 2018. Katie has been passionate about Women’s health since the inception of her career. She specialized as a Labor and Delivery nurse, certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing and Electronic Fetal Monitoring for over 17 years. She then transitioned to Postpartum care as a Clinical Shift supervisor before becoming the Manager of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Lactation and Family Education departments of the Valley Health System in Paramus, NJ. She received her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification in 2022. Katie’s main focus has been raising awareness on the importance of providing exclusive breastmilk for the immediate postpartum period, educating new employees on the role of lactation consultants within the health system and has been diligently working on establishing a donor milk program within the Valley Health System. Katie continues to grow relationships between hospital departments to collaborate and promote multi-disciplinary care for both inpatient and outpatient services to promote breastmilk feeding and breastmilk support.