Health Equity Advocacy & Lactation (HEAL)
The purpose of Dillard University’s Certified H.E.A.L. Professional Program is to equip Health Professionals to become competent lactation specialists in Louisiana and the nation. The Health Equity Advocacy & Lactation (HEAL) Certified Professional Program fills the gap in breastfeeding support for Black women primarily created by historic and systemic inequities. This is the first lactation certification program with a health equity focus. It is also the first entry-level lactation certification open to broad specialties offered by a university.
HEAL has three overarching goals:
1. To train emerging healthcare professionals and providers on breastfeeding disparities
and ensure they provide culturally tailored support for breastfeeding;
2. To identify community members who reflect the cultural values of breastfeeding
mothers and train them to be certified health equity lactation professionals; and
3. To implement strategies designed to increase breastfeeding rates that address systemic
racism and inequitable access to resources and support.
