Departments and Key Staff

Eileen FitzPatrick, DrPH, MPH, RD, CLC is BFUSA’s Chief Executive Officer. Her wide-ranging experience includes five years in the Obesity Prevention Program (OPP) with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), during which time she was one of the primary coordinators of the initial statewide Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals (BQIH) project. She also played a leadership role in the Breastfeeding Friendly project in Erie County, which was initiated and developed from her field research. Most recently, Dr. FitzPatrick was the faculty and Chair of the Russell Sage College Nutrition Science Department. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Tufts University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Russell Sage College, and completed requirements to become a Registered Dietitian. She then received a Master of Public Health and a Doctorate in Public Health from the School of Public Health at the University at Albany, where her doctoral work focused on maternity care practices and breastfeeding. She has co-authored numerous scientific publications and has presented original research at professional meetings such as the New York State WIC Association, the American Public Health Association, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting.

Anna Edgar, BA, BSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC is BFUSA’s Accreditation Manager. She leads a team responsible for all aspects of the on-site assessment and post-designation processes. This includes scheduling, assigning teams, and conducting the on-site assessments; carrying out quality reviews to ensure consistency in interpretation of the GEC; coordinating the External Review Board (ERB) and implementing the post-assessment quality improvement activities to ensure maintenance of standards. Anna has more than 20 years of experience in nursing, including roles in obstetrics, lactation consulting, clinical education, non-profit maternal child community health management, and service line leadership. Anna is passionate about advancing evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for all mothers and infants.

The Accreditation Department is staffed by a team of Managers and RNs responsible for all aspects of the on-site assessment and post-designation processes. This includes scheduling, assigning teams, and conducting the on-site assessment; carrying out quality reviews to ensure consistency in interpretation of the GEC; coordinating the External Review Board (ERB) and implementing the post-assessment quality improvement activities to ensure maintenance of standards.

The On-Site Assessment Team consists of approximately 20 per diem RN, IBCLCs with at least 5 years of experience providing in-hospital maternity and lactation care. This team travels the country and carries out the prescribed activities on-site at birthing facilities being considered for Baby-Friendly designation and/or re-designation. The Assessor compiles findings and creates a report based upon observations and assessment criteria. The report is blinded and submitted to the ERB for a designation determination.

The External Review Board (ERB) is a multi-disciplinary team of licensed and/or certified health professional with a minimum of 10 years of experience in maternal and child health. The current team consists of MDs, certified nurse midwifes, RNs, IBCLCs and registered dietitians who are knowledgeable of maternity care practices to support lactation. This team reviews blinded facility assessment reports prepared by the on-site assessors and casts designation ballots based on the results of their review. 

Christa Rudat, MSN, RN, IBCLC is Baby-Friendly USA's Clinical Director. After joining BFUSA as a Clinical Review Specialist, she advanced into her current leadership role. As Clinical Director, she works with the team of Review Specialists to provide guidance and feedback to facilities pursuing and maintaining Baby-Friendly designation. A Registered Nurse (RN) with more than 23 years of experience and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with more than 10 years of experience, Christa's background includes mother-baby care, pediatrics, newborn nursery, nursing education, childbirth education, and lactation support. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of South Alabama and her Master of Science in Nursing Education and Administration from the University of Mobile.

The Clinical Department is staffed by a team of Review Specialists who are RNs, each with more than 25 years of experience providing in-hospital maternity and lactation care.  The team is responsible for maintaining, clarifying issues and responding to questions pertaining to the Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria (GEC) and the 4-D Pathway to Baby-Friendly designation. They work with hospitals pre- designation and re-designation by reviewing and providing feedback on action plans, infant feeding policies, training plans, patient education plans, data collection plans, audit results and readiness for the on-site assessment.

The Business Department is staffed by a team of employed skilled professionals and consultants responsible for the organization’s Business Operations which includes administration, finance, corporate development, human resources, information technology, HIPPA compliance and legal.  The key function of this department is to assure operational smoothness by designing strategies and procedures that lead to greater cost and organizational efficiencies.

The Program/Administrative Support Team is staffed by administrative professionals who provide critical support to each of the departments and carry out the essential day-to-day office functions. This team answers calls and emails and directs inquiries and facility submissions to appropriate BFUSA staff and departments