I was surprised to find myself fascinated with your discussions of
separating your LLL and LC roles, then realized I've been working on the
same thing!!  The first year after I was accredited as
a LLL Leader, I was still practicing (*very* part time but attending
lots of births) in the small
town where I also actively led the LLL group, along with 2 excellent
co-leaders.  I found this a bit awkward--never knew whether or to make an
explicit statement at meetings that although I am a doctor I am not *their*
doctor.  I gave the same advice in both roles, but my qualifications for
being a Leader were my mothering and breastfeeding, not my medical
practice.  I definitely did not solicit patients through LLL, although I
know I got a few that way.  I gave phone advice for free in either case,
although I tried to refer medical questions from moms back to their own
physicians.  If a mom chose to see me as a patient I charged according to
the medical diagnosis.  As an MD, I usually could charge and be
reimbursed for an office visit.  I encouraged my pregnant and breastfeeding
patients to attend League meetings; I actually found that less awkward
than dealing with moms who were not my patients.  I just tried to deal
with it by being very open about what each position meant and tried to
keep the interaction in that unique sphere, although there was a lot of
overlap.

I am now on Leader Reserve, in a new city, and supporting LLL in a
different way.  I may reactivate to be AAPL(area assistant professional
liason), as I really enjoy giving
other Leaders breastfeeding-friendly, accurate medical information.  I
don't know if I'll go back to actively leading a group (unless baby #2
finally makes his/her appearance and I'm at home again....) because of
the awkwardness.

--
Anne Montgomery, M.D.
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St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency
Olympia, WA