Mountain Interagency Lactation Coalition

The Coalition

Katy Dyrr

Plumas Rural Services

Program Director - Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist/Certified Lactation Educator

My name is Katy Dyrr I am a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and a Certified Lactation Educator. I am currently the WIC program Director for Plumas Rural Services WIC program. I am also the mother of two children whom I successfully breastfed for their first year. I am an advocate for infants advocating that they receive the best nutrition possible which is breast-milk. I understand that breastfeeding has its difficult moments and I find it rewarding to help a mother through the rough times. I can be reached at kdyrr@plumasruralservices.org or by phone at 530-283-4093.

Katie Jamieson

Banner Lassen Medical Center

Women and Infant Services (WIS) RN Manager

Certified Lactation Consultant

My name is Katie Jamieson and I’m currently the Women and Infant Services (WIS) RN Manager at Banner Lassen Medical Center. I have been a Labor and Delivery RN for 11 years and a Certified Lactation Consultant for 4 years. To further ensure that you are in good breastfeeding hands at BLMC our WIS RN’s have had a minimum of 20 hours formal breastfeeding education too. I can be reached at Banner Lassen Medical Center at (530) 252-2267.

Carmen E. Madrigal-Lopez

Plumas Rural Services, WIC

Certified Lactation Educator and WIC Nutrition Educator

I attended college in Mexico, got married right after and moved to Portola in 1988. I learned about the WIC Program (Women, Infant & Children) when I had my first baby in 1990 who was one month premature, I breastfed my daughter and later I was told by friends to go to WIC. I was encouraged to continue Breastfeeding by very friendly staff and a translator who when she decided to go to college left me the opportunity to apply for her position. I have been working for Plumas Rural Services, WIC since 1994. I have learned every year since then about Human Lactation. I had another daughter in 1993 who made me experience all kinds of obstacles to breastfeeding possibly because she had a condition called “tongue tied”. But I was still able to breastfeed her up to 14 months. They are my greatest accomplishments. I can be contacted at (530) 283-4093 or email: clopez@plumasruralservices.org.

Linda Margaretic

Coalition Member

Lactation Counselor

I am a mother, a grandmother and an avid supporter of breastfeeding. I have worked as Health Coordinator for Head Start and Early Head Start in the past. Now retired, I continue to advocate for breastfeeding. I have completed the week long intensive training in Lactation. Years ago when I was a young nursing mother, I had the great fortune to have a La Leche League in my town. The support and encouragement we gave each other was wonderful. Knowing someone is available to talk to whenever there are problems or doubts is so helpful. I welcome your calls and emails. You can contact me at 530-283-3989 or wildwoodflower@snowcrest.net

Merle Rusky

Early Childhood Educator, Feather River College

Lactation Counselor

Merle Rusky is a long-time advocate for children and families, she is a Lactation Counselor, and comes with firsthand experience having breastfed all three of her children. In the past she has attended home births, taught birthing classes, and supported families in their breastfeeding experiences. More recently, Merle has just become a grandmother for the first time. Merle is the full time instructor for Early Childhood Education at Feather River College in Plumas County. As a MILC member, Merle continues to be a strong advocate for breastfeeding as well as supporting community efforts in encouraging strong, healthy children and families. I can be reached at mrusky@frc.edu or by phone at 530-283-0202 ext 311.

Michell Godman

Lassen County MCAH Program Coordinator, Certified Lactation Educator Counselor

My name is Michell Godman. I am the Maternal Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Program Coordinator for Lassen County Public Health. I am a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC). I am also a mother of 4 children with four different breastfeeding experiences. I went from no support and discouragement to support and encouragement . I want to be there for those moms who need education, support and encouragement to have a successful and fulfilling breastfeeding experience. I can be reached at (530) 251-2608 or 1 (800) 838-1223

Or come visit me Lassen County Public Health, 1445 Paul Bunyan Road Ste. B, Susanville.

Ronda Hall

Lassen County MCAH Program Coordinator

Hello my name is Ronda Hall. I am a wife, Mother of 3, Special Education Teacher, Pastors Wife and an employee of Lassen County Public Health. My goal in life is to help people be the best that they can within themselves. At Public Health I am a part of the Maternal, Child, Adolescence, Health (MCAH) team. We help families get connected to local resources and educate on Breastfeeding, Cribs for Kids, Parenting and Ages and Stages Questioners (ASQ). My program is called Lassen HEARTS (Health, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Training, Screenings). It is important that the families we support are able to feel connected to their community. It has been a joy to be a part of the (MILC) collaboration. We are all aiming to support breastfeeding families.

Andrea Huggins

Sierra Cascade Family Opportunities Head Start

Health Services Manager

My name is Andrea Huggins and I am the Health Services Manager for Sierra Cascade Family Opportunities. I am a proud mother of one who struggled with breastfeeding. Because I held fast in the enormous importance of breastfeeding I pumped and my son was able to benefit from it for the first months of his life. I was born and raised in Plumas County and I am now raising my family in this amazing community. I love the area we live in but resources are sometimes hard to access. I am committed to helping strengthen families provide support on any level for families struggling with a specific issue or just wanting questions answered. Feel free to contact me at (530)283-1242 or ahuggins@headstart4u.org.

Dorrie Philbeck, RN

Jana McDowell, LVN,CLE.

Plumas County Home Visiting Program - Families First

These three home visitors have a total of 9 grown children between them. They have a collective total of 83 months of breastfeeding experience. As Plumas County home visitors they are committed to connect mothers with the information they need to resolve issues or problems for a successful breastfeeding experience. Their contact information is 530-283-6330 or email dorriephilbeck@countyofplumas.com