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Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:29:53 -0400 |
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Dear all:
How many of us have loved Diane Weisseninger's many posts that reflect her position on "Watch
your language"? Semantics is immensely important!. Lawyers make a living on the fine details of
semantics.
I'm reaching my limit today so I am scrunching this second thought it. I am highly insulted that
someone who has studied far fewer years than myself can have the nerve to tell me that I (as a
nonMD and a nonRN) should just go back and study more.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology.
I have a Master of Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University (and the former Dean of Johns
Hopkins University of Publich Health and Hygiene who recently won the Lasker prize in medicine
rightly corrected me when I felt that the MHS was not well recognized because he was very proud
of his Master of Health Sciences)
I have a Doctor of Philosophy from Cornell University.
I have studied with excellent breastfeeding medicine researchers and even when I was working on
my MHS at Johns Hopkins I felt that the information that was common knowledge in 1984 has not
been disseminated yet to the vast majority of pediatricians. Therefore, I have an enormous
respect for breastfeeding medicine specialist who have taken the extra steps to gain knowledge in
the area of breastfeeding. With restrictions on funding for basic research in infant nutrition from
a "noncorporate source" it is almost impossible for any researcher to have sufficient funds to
conduct research in this area without succombing to taking funds from the food industry.
I feel highly insulted that after all the training I have undergone (I can't even count the number of
years I spent studying) that anyone would suggest that I should spend another 4 years go to
medical school and who knows how many years of internship and residency to get the typical 6
week course in infant and child nutrition or less to be able to "speak apropriately to MDs".
Moreover, in defense of my peers who also come from backgrounds other than MDs and RNs, I
have an enormous respect for their ability to communicate to these two professions as well. The
ability to communicate in a constructive manner AND provide evidence-based information as well
has nothing to do with having an RN or an MD and everything to do with the ability to keep an
open mind to new ideas and to realize that advocating for autonmy and rights is a professional
and an important step towards protecting our clients.
And I also want to make it clear that I have an enormous respect for the RNs and the MDs that do
work on the front lines to promote breastfeeding while keeping a PROFESSIONAL respect for the
ability of a multitude of other backgrounds that contribute to healthy breastfeeding. At the same
time I do disagree with the (thankfully) minority of RNs and MDs who continually diminish the
contributions of these many and varied backgrounds and narrow-mindedly think of themselves as
superior when they may not have had nearly as much specific training in breastfeeding support.
Best regards,
Susan E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC
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