Scholarship Recipients

Latonia Anthony (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)

We had a wonderful selection of applicants from many parts of the world this year and again the decision was difficult. We are pleased to annonce the Trudi Szallasi Memorial Scholarship 2013 has been awarded to Latonia Anthony from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA). 

Latonia Anthony is married and has three toddler daughters.   She is a registered nurse, currently working at a long-term care facility.  Although she loves working with seniors, but her passion has always been about working with new mothers and babies.  

She has been a dedicated volunteer for the African American Breastfeeding Network for almost 4 years and serves many roles in the organization, including webmaster, peer advocate & counselor, and advisory council member.  She enjoys educating and empowering families to give their child(ren) the best start in life by breastfeeding.  She would like to become an IBCLC and gain a more extensive understanding of human lactation.  Consequently, she will be a better resource for the families she serves in her urban community.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, crafting and going on short road trips.

Health e-Learning proudly supported Latonia's goals by helping her study during 2013/14 and successfully achieve certification as an IBCLC in 2014. Congratulations Latonia!

In 2012 there were so many worthy applicants for the Trudi Szallasi Memorial Scholarship that we decided to award two Scholarships.

Megha Sunil Mamulwar (India)

Dr Mamulwar is a medical doctor in Pune, India. She has completed her doctoral studies in Community Medicine and developed an increased interest in breastfeeding and lactation. She has also trained in breastfeeding counselling for antenatal and postnatal mothers and has experience as a Programme Manager for the NGO Institute of Health Management, part of the Reproductive and Child Health Services in Pune.

During her medical studies, Megha became interested in the immense benefit of human milk for premature and sick infants. She has taken this interest further by working towards the establishment of a Human Milk Bank in a municipal hospital in her city where it will be routine practice to provide pasteurised breastmilk to all neonates who are not able to receive their own mother’s milk.

She is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine in Pune, working as a breastfeeding counsellor in a paediatric clinic and even though breastfeeding is normal practice in India, appropriate breastfeeding practices are often not followed and Megha hopes that her work when she qualified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant will help to educate mothers with scientific information about breastfeeding which will help them to understand its importance.

Health e-Learning proudly supported Megha's goals by helping her study during 2012/13 and successfully achieve certification as an IBCLC in 2013. Congratulations Megha!

Shela Akbar Ali Hirani (Pakistan)

Shela is the Senior Paediatric Instructor at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery in Pakistan. She has degrees in science, Advanced Diploma in Human Development and a Master of Science in Nursing. In Pakistan, there has been a gradual decline in breastfeeding and increase in child mortality due to diarrhoea, malnutrition and other infectious diseases. Over the past 9 years, Shela has addressed these concerns in several research projects and international publications on topics related to human lactation and maternal and child health such as breastfeeding and workforce as well as aspects of kangaroo mother care and effects of humanitarian emergencies on infant health. She is currently conducting two research projects related to maternal and child mental health.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Shela also provides mentorship to the paediatric faculty and masters nursing students, and provides clinical care, supervision and counselling at the outpatient paediatric unit of the Aga Khan University Hospital. Once certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Shela intends to work in collaboration with government and non-government organisations as a change agent to introduce practical measures to address the premature cessation of breastfeeding by continuing research, introduce expanded lactation modules into the university nursing programmes, and develop education models for pre and postnatal mothers.

Health e-Learning proudly supported Shela's goals by helping her study during 2012/13 and successfully achieve certification as an IBCLC in 2013. Congratulations Shela!

Krista Gray (Egypt)

Krista is a La Leche League Leader who, until recent political turmoil, was living with her family in Egypt. Krista was instrumental in setting up a non-governmental organisation in Egypt involving doctors and IBCLCs, the focus of which is women’s and children’s health issues from pregnancy through the first two years of life.

Once qualified as an IBCLC herself Krista plans to work in partnership with medical, nursing and lactation staff to establish education for pregnant women and hospital and nursing staff, and focus on changing hospital practices to facilitate normal birthing and implement Baby Friendly Initiatives.

Health e-Learning proudly supported Krista's goals by helping her study during 2011/13 and successfully achieve certification as an IBCLC in 2013. Congratulations Krista!

Lam Yan Yee Heidi (Hong Kong)

Lam Yan Yee Heidi was awarded the scholarship in 2010. Heidi is a mother of 2 young girls and an experienced LLLL in Hong Kong. Heidi is committed to improving breastfeeding knowledge amongst the Chinese community and is keen to become involved in health professional education once she is an IBCLC.

Health e-Learning proudly supported Heidi's goals by helping her study during 2010/11 and successfully achieve certification as an IBCLC in 2011. Congratulations Heidi!