Latona Giwa

Experience

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  Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative

  Jun 2010 - Aug 2011

  Assistant Neighborhood Coordinator

  - Developed neighborhood association structure, procedures, and policies- Conducted community outreach and home visits in Central City neighborhood- Support residents to engage their civic leaders on issues of health and quality of life

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  Birthmark Doula Collective

  Feb 2011 - Aug 2023

  Member Owner, Program Director

  - Cofounded this reproductive justice organization to increase accessibility to birth doula services, improve perinatal health outcomes for New Orleans families, and grow the perinatal health workforce.- Serve clients as a birth doula, perinatal educator, and lactation counselor

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  Touro Infirmary

  May 2014 - Nov 2014

  Registered Nurse Labor Delivery

  - Provided patient care to antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients- Supported infant feeding plans with tools such as skin-to-skin, latch assessment- Implemented care plans, including IVs, med administration, lab draw, pain management, epidural support, O.R. nursing, newborn assessment

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  SELAHEC: Nurse Family Partnership, Region 1 Team

  Nov 2014 - May 2017

  Assistant Supervisor, Registered Nurse

  - Maintained a caseload of over 25 mothers and infants, majority Spanish-speaking, with thorough client records, care plans, provider communications, and referrals- Conducted lactation home visits & consulted to nursing team on lactation issues- Utilized clinical assessment skills, motivational interviewing, educational counseling- Reported during disasters for shelter nursing, evacuee triage, and medical distribution

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  NEW ORLEANS BREASTFEEDING CENTER LLC

  Aug 2017 - Aug 2023

  Cofounder, Director

  - Launched 1st freestanding lactation clinic in LA, incorporating community needs assessment dataPiloted Medicaid & private insurance reimbursement model for non-hospital lactation consultants - Led merger of NOBC with Birthmark Doula Collective, seamlessly planning transition of clinic operations, programs, staff, grant deliverables and reporting, and $250K program budget- Developed care protocols that center BIPOC & LGBTQ families, serving 1100 families in the 1st year- Provide lactation assessment, care, and education to parents and infants (office, home, & virtual) Show less

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  Ochsner Health

  Jun 2018 - Oct 2019

  Lactation Consultant

  Provided lactation assessment and care to antepartum and postpartum patients. Supported infant feeding plans after delivery with tools such as skin-to-skin, lactation assistance, and education.

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  Midwest Access Project

  Aug 2023 - now

  Leading our efforts to fill the national gaps in provider training in abortion care, miscarriage care, contraception, and pregnancy options counseling. MAP fills the gap in clinical training nationwide for abortion, miscarriage and contraceptive management, and pregnancy options counseling.

  • Executive Director

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Executive Director

    Aug 2023 - now