Thanks Barbara for your post!  I have also been wrestling with these issues
at my own place of employment.  I have posted in the past about the terrific
program we have--eight LCs--lots of acceptance from the medical profession,
etc.

Anyway, here's the "dark cloud".  Our hospital is expanding our Women's
Health Center.  Of course, in order to do that they need $$$$.  Well, we
found out after the contract was signed, everything wrapped up and
negotiated, they signed a one-million-dollar contract with Ross Laboratories
to help fund our Women's Health Center addition.  This is a 10-year
exclusive contract.

My boss was not happy at all with it.  She felt she was deliberately left
out of the decision-making process because of knowing her ethics.

So, what should we do?  The contract is signed, --leave a great program
behind.......no!  We all feel that making a big stink would only make us
look less credible and undo what we have strived so hard to build up.  I
know that sounds strange, but there would be eight LCs out of a job and we
would be walking away from all that we have worked for.

I love my job and receive great satisfaction from what I do.  I think that
"staying in there" says a lot about our dedication in not abandoning the
moms, babies, and health care professionals who do depend on us.  I also
think that if we weren't there, what would be promoted?

We do not participate in any of the free lunches, or other "freebies"
offered.  In fact, I do think there is a whole lot less of that because of
our presence.

Just my .02 cents worth!

Connie Chiavario, IBCLC

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html