Congratulations to Jennifer Zarit, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, for her recent selection to be the new Medical Director of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank. Zarit is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of General Academic Pediatrics, and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She completed her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and her pediatrics residency at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“I cannot express how grateful I am for this incredible opportunity,” Zarit notes. “Human milk optimizes healthcare outcomes and lowers healthcare costs. The work done by this organization to provide life-saving nutrition in the form of pasteurized human milk to medically vulnerable infants is truly awe-inspiring.”
The Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing pasteurized human milk from carefully screened donors to newborn babies in need. The known health benefits of human milk for newborns are numerous, and often can be life-saving for the medically vulnerable when a mother’s milk isn’t available. The Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank is part of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, which has been a leading organization for over 30 years.
A milk donor to the Milk Bank in its earlier years, Zarit is also a pediatrician who focuses on newborn and breastfeeding medicine, and the Director of the Newborn Nursery rotation for four local residency programs. In this new role, Zarit hopes to “work towards expanding the awareness and availability of pasteurized donor breastmilk. One example is human “bridge” milk that can be offered to help more mothers and babies realize their goal of exclusive breastfeeding when there is temporary mismatch of mother’s own milk supply in comparison to the infant’s medical needs.”
Prior to Zarit’s appointment, the Medical Director position was held by Deborah Bogen, MD, a former faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, who was recently appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro as the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania.
“I am excited to be joining such a talented and committed team to help make a positive impact in the future for the region’s youngest patients and their families,” says Zarit.
Follow Pitt Pediatrics on Twitter for future updates on Zarit’s work and other related efforts in the Department of Pediatrics.