Hello to my wonderful Lactnet family,

My husband and I have decided to raise our children in New England, near 
one set of their grandparents.

It is with mixed feelings that I am leaving my position as the lone 
IBCLC at a small naval hospital/outpatient clinic in Washington state.  
Nearly 5 years ago I arrived here as an active duty Navy nurse, which is 
also the year I became an IBCLC.  Sadly, since working here, I have lost 
many co-workers in a variety of tragic accidents (one young corspman was 
lost in Iraq). 
While on active duty I provided childbirth ed. classes and lactation 
services as a "collateral duty" (in addition to inpatient, and later, 
outpatient nursing duties).

Two years ago I left active duty, transferred to the reserves and was 
hired at the same military hospital in the role of Lactation 
Consultant/Childbirth Education. (This was thanks to my former boss, a 
mom who nursed her son for 2 1/2 years... she helped to convert the 
position from military family practice RN to the current GS11 
LC/childbirth ed position).

I've had the honor of founding the nursing mothers' group at my 
hospital. The hospital has 30-40 births per month.
Every week we have about 9-11 moms with babies come to group.  This week 
was my last group and 19 moms (w/babies and toddlers) came to group and 
had a surprise party for me.  Needless to say I was in tears. 

It is with a heavy heart that I leave these beautiful, strong, and 
inspirational families.
________________________________
A few nurses from the hospital have been inquiring about the position:  
making comments  such as "what does she do?" "is it really that hard?"  
"I've been a nurse for 30 years... I should be able to do that"  " I 
wish you would have told me sooner you were leaving so I could take the 
40 hour course (so I could apply for the job)", etc, etc....

These comments are very concerning to me because I feel the families 
that I have served deserve someone who is passionate about what she does 
and will be passionate about serving them.  To me, these comments 
reflect something other than a passion for our moms and babies.
_____________________
I am writing to ask if anyone working with the military has experience 
with Tricare (the US military health insurance) covering lactation services?

Today I was told  by our referral management nurse that Tricare doesn't 
pay for lactation services (military families get lactation services if 
their hospital hires lactation consultants, but if their hospital 
doesn't provide IBCLCs, Tricare doesn't pay for private consults).

Four weeks ago I gave notice and Friday is my last day at work.  A 
replacement for my position has not yet been found.  I was hoping that 
our patients would be able to be referred to private IBCLCs if needed 
during the gap in service, but apparently that won't happen. 

I would greatly appreciate any input regarding Tricare coverage of 
lactation services.

My new job in New Hampshire will be as a Family Practice clinic nurse. 
My new supervisors are willing to let me use my lactation skills in some 
manner (by either starting a moms' group or doing consults for them or 
both)... so I'm very happy that I'll still be able to work with moms and 
babies in some way.

Thank you for listening and for all of the wonderful knowledge that you 
have shared over the years.

Sincerely,
Renee Mercier RN IBCLC
Washington state... soon to be a New Englander (in 4 days!)


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