Had the meeting with management today regarding the formula rep and the
medical director.  The choice I have, which was nicely put, not a threat or
anything, was to decide if I think I can repair this situation and am
willing to try.  Management will handle the physician.  I left out a piece
when I reported it to you.  Our sister hospital, where my managers "live",
expects to be named Baby Friendly in the next few weeks.  They know all the
WHO/UNICEF documents and they have made a big investment to bring their
facility into compliance.  However, I'm in a different facility, with
different physicians, so I don't have all the protections they do.  Now, to
be honest, they have a point about the way we talk to reps, in general, and
communication with physicians.  It matters little to them what reputation
the rep has, what purchasing says or any of the other stuff we value.  They,
not just me, are walking on eggshells here, because they can't manage things
in my facility like they can in theirs.  I admit I was the one that
"started" it by asking the rep if he had an appointment.  After that, the
dominoes were set up to fall.  I guess I have to learn to play the game
better.  Several of you have emailed to tell me your own horror stories with
a formula rep, and I am left to wonder how in the world we all keep going,
when every day is like dragging a ball and chain up a hill!  I know, I know.
We do it for the moms and we do it for the babies.  If only it was their
opinion that counted.  I committed the unfortunate error of being fed up
with the tap dance and letting "the sharks" see it.  I don't mind being the
David against Goliath.  I am not afraid to stand up to injustice or ethical
cancer.  But when Goliath runs and tells his boss/mommy/big brother and they
call your boss/mommy/big brother and you're told to "play nice and say
you're sorry or leave", that's a bitter pill to swallow.  Thank you everyone
for the moral support and wonderful suggestions and information.  I printed
out some responses and took them with me just for moral support, not to show
anyone.
   So, tomorrow, I have another meeting to let them know what I decided and
work on a plan for fixing this if that's what I decide.  Of course, I
probably will, because everywhere else is just as bad -or almost- as this.
And because I need the job, like everyone does, and because I will not let
them run me out.  It would sure be easier if they just fired me!  One good
thing.  My husband was looking things up on the internet and he found the
WHO Code of Marketing.  He asked me how do we go about making this a law in
this country!  That would solve the problem, he said!  Oh, if it were only
that simple!  ...How do we do that anyway?!

   Well, enough moaning for now.  We all have these battles to fight.
Sometimes you just feel like a wolf howling at the moon.  It never gets you
anywhere.  Hey Jan.  How about that bookstore?!

Marsha, who is trying hard not to feel defeated, in Indiana

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Marsha Glass RN, BSN,
IBCLC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations
as all other earthly causes combined.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~John S. C.
Abbot~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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