LLL Today #4 – The New LLLI Medical Advisory Team (MAT)
Last year, the LLLI Board and several board committees began working on forming the new LLLI Medical Advisory Team (MAT). The team is composed of researchers and health professionals from around the world, who volunteer and commit to a five year term as a team member. Their professional insight and information are valuable to LLLI in providing resources for publications, policies, medical questions, and media inquiries. They consult with the LLLI Board of Directors, Executive Management, and Global Professional Liaison Network (GPLN).
How are members of the MAT chosen?
Health professionals are recruited by Leaders from around the world. Their names and information are submitted to the Program Services committee, who shares their names with the Personnel committee and the Code committee. The committees are seeking candidates with geographic diversity across a range of disciplines with particular interest in breastfeeding and human milk. Possible candidates receive a copy of the job description and submit a Curriculum Vitae and an LLLI Medical Advisory Team Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Declaration. All members respect and adhere to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions. The CVs and member activities will be updated yearly.
Who are our MAT members?
So far, the MAT has 10 members. Several others have been invited but we have not yet received responses. Leaders may submit names of possible members to the Medical Advisory Team Communication Coordinator (MATCC) at MATCC@llli.org. These names will be submitted by the MATCC to the appropriate committee for review. The MATCC reports to the LLLI Program Services committee.
Who can contact the MAT?
Leaders will continue to send medical questions through their Professional Liaison channels. Questions to the MAT may come from any LLLI committee or forum seeking information or guidance.
Although the committee is newly formed, the members are quite responsive and have already responded to four questions this year. LLLI is pleased to have this valuable resource!
Team Members as of September 2023 are:
Rahmat Bibi Bagus, MD (General Practice, Pediatric Primary Care), IBCLC, LLL Leader, APL, South Africa
Claire Dalidowitz, MS, MA, RD, CD-N (Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist), Connecticut, USA
Anne Eglash, MD (Family Medicine), Wisconsin, USA
Rolando Figueroa, MD, FACOG (Obstetrician-Gynecologist), El Salvador
Miena M. Hall, MD (Family Medicine), IBCLC, Illinois, USA
Alberto Heart, MD (Pediatrician, Neonatologist), Panama
Joan Y. Meek, MD, (Pediatrician, Registered Dietitian), Florida, USA
Katrina B. Mitchell, MD, IBCLC, PMH-C (Breast surgeon), California, USA
Victoria Nichols Johnson, MD (Obstetrician-Gynecologist), Illinois, USA
Jose Maria Paricio Talayero, MD, PhD, ( Pediatrician), Spain
Vicky Thomas, MD (Pediatrician), United Kingdom
Kathleen Kendall Tackett, PhD, IBCLC, FAPA (Psychology, Writer, Publisher), Texas, USA
These members have been quite responsive and have already responded to four questions this year. LLLI is pleased to have them as a valuable resource!