For fifteen years I had a comprehensive breastfeeding support program at a large university in Massachusetts. I founded the program, based in a multi- specialty HMO facility, which included breast pump rental, support groups, in-service, and clinic visits for lactation consulting. Two years ago I was transferred to a supervisor that seemed to have her only goal as getting rid of me. And, within a year my program was history. The breast pump rental program was deleted. My hours were cut from 24 hours a week to two 3- hour clinics a week. This was not enough for me to serve my patients. As happens to many, my time use was judged solely on how many hours I had patients in the office; not on phone support or other services. I was told that unless I also served as secretary I would be let go. I chose to quit. Now I see the office is advertising they provide lactation consulting (the exact term used). I have first hand knowledge that the nurse practioner who was my supervisor, the one responsible for ending my program, is providing "lactation consults." She is not IBCLC. She had signed up for a breastfeeding workshop last year which I assume she attended. She is a pediatric provider, and is good with pediatrics. Of course I have hard feelings. I am out of work and trying to get my own practice started, and it galls me that my IBCLC credential is so lightly dismissed. I am also disgusted at the local hospitals who insist all IBCLC's be RNs. I'm old enough, and been an IBCLC long enough, to remember when RNs were not the norm. Sigh. That is another rant, though. What would you do, if anything, about my old office continuing to advertise "lactation consulting." The women who get their health care at this place have no idea of the difference. I notice the cabinets in my old office are filled to capacity with formula samples. At one time the samples were down to only specialized concoctions(the hydrolized stuff) but now every new thing (and those darned "gift packs for breastfeeding mothers") is back. I'm so angry that my program was dismantled and they are making it appear as if nothing has changed. It has changed, and I feel badly for all the women who are now "failing" at breastfeeding, and the babies who are increasingly made the guinea pigs for the great artificial mothers'milk experiment. Underemployed, broke and mad as heck, Margery Wilson, IBCLC (since 1991) and breastfeeding counselor since 1974 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html