Championing Inclusive Lactation Support at Every Level
We are proud to honor Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) as the 2025 Hospital of the year. Antelope Valley Medical Center has redefined what it means to offer comprehensive, community-rooted lactation support. Winner of the 2025 Hospital of the Year award, AVMC stands out for its equity-driven, whole-hospital approach ensuring every lactating patient receives personalized, compassionate care from admission to discharge and beyond.
About AVMC
Located in Los Angeles County, Antelope Valley Medical Center is deeply committed to improving the health of its diverse community. The hospital’s lactation program includes a full-time team of IBCLC RNs with 24/7 coverage. This team serves antepartum, postpartum, NICU, pediatrics, and any lactating patient in the hospital including those experiencing fetal loss.
System-Wide Innovation
Through close collaboration between the Emergency Department and IT, AVMC implemented an automated system that triggers lactation consults for any lactating patient identified during intake. This streamlined approach ensures timely, consistent care across departments.
Further amplifying their impact, AVMC partnered with Cherished Futures for Black Moms and Babies to certify 30 staff RNs in lactation care demonstrating a deep investment in reducing Black maternal and infant health disparities.
Their team-based approach includes small but powerful tools like marking “E” on patient room boards to indicate exclusive breastfeeding, and sharing exclusive breastfeeding metrics during daily shift huddles. They’ve also developed an electronic lactation tracking board that allows teams to assess needs by ethnicity, supporting their goal to reduce health disparities in real time.
Building Community Through Care
Outside the hospital walls, AVMC’s Education and Breastfeeding Center (EBC) offers:
- Monthly breastfeeding classes and culturally responsive support groups
Lactation consults, bra fittings, and pump rentals - Community events, including an annual breastmilk drive
- A designation as a Breastmilk Collection Center with Mother’s Milk Bank California
Collective Commitment
AVMC’s partnerships with CMQCC, WIC, AVPH, Kaiser Breastfeeding Coalition, and the AV Breastfeeding Coalition create a seamless web of support for families. Every postpartum patient is given the opportunity to sign up for in-home lactation visits through AVPH ensuring care continues beyond the bedside.
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The Lactation Impact Awards Gala will take place on Saturday, June 28th at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Want to learn more about the awards, nominees, or how to get involved? Click here to explore the full event details.