About Us 

The Monroe County Breastfeeding Collaborative (BFC) began in the summer of 2006 and is continually active supporting and promoting breastfeeding throughout our community. Representatives from the Family Medical Center, the Monroe County Health Department, Mercy Memorial Hospital, WIC, and Michigan State University Extension actively participate in our monthly meetings and all are welcome. Feel free to contact us for meeting information.

The mission of the Monroe County BFC is to educate the community about the benefits of breastfeeding, to promote breastfeeding-friendly environments, and to support breastfeeding mothers. 

Our primary goals are to educate providers about the benefits of breastfeeding, raise breastfeeding awareness and acceptance in our community, launch a breastfeeding promotion/outreach campaign, and provide breastfeeding support for all mothers in Monroe County, Michigan. 

Julie Meier Lee RN, IBCLC  

                                           

Mercy Memorial Hospital
Lactation Consultant, Monroe County
MCBFC Co-Chair 

A Monroe native, Julie has been an advocate for breastfeeding families since she started her nursing career nearly 30 years ago. One of 12 breastfed children, she learned from her loving father who encouraged breastfeeding with all his family practice patients as well as from his 9 daughters. Julie breastfed her 3 sons and later went on to specialize in lactation. She became a Certified Lactation Educator from UCLA in 1989 and then became Internationally Board Certified in 1991. Julie has worked in various nursing roles with breastfeeding families over the years. She has supported breastfeeding mothers in the NICU, Postpartum and Mother –Baby units, Maternal Home Health Care, Pediatrics, and in Private Practice. She developed the first Lactation Department Program at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Florida and more recently developed the Lactation Program for Mercy Memorial Hospital System in Monroe County. Julie has opened an Out-Patient Lactation Clinic at the hospital for all Monroe County residents as a community service from Mercy Memorial Hospital System. You may contact her or to make an appointment, call 734-240-8578, or email julie.lee@mercymemorial.org.

Winnie Webb, CLS

Michigan State University Extension
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Mother-to-Mother Program
MCBFC Co-Chair

Hi! I'm Winnie Webb, a breastfeeding peer counselor at MSU extension office in Monroe with the Mother-to-Mother Program. Since June of 2001, I've worked with over 1,000 Monroe County moms and babies as they've enjoyed their breastfeeding experience. Together we have had great success overcoming many obstacles and finding the answers to multitudes of questions. Many of these mothers chose to nurse a year or longer and have seen the results in their children's good health and mental as well as physical development. I nursed my 3 children (including a set of twins) and have 7 grandchildren. I think we can change the health of our nation by teaching one mom at a time, according to her individual needs, to breastfeed successfully.  You can reach me at 734-240-3178 or webbw@mdu.edu. 

Denise Kohler  

Michigan State University Extension
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Mother-to-Mother Program

I'm Denise Kohler , Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the Mother to Mother program at the MSU extension office in Monroe. I am now beginning my fourth year with extension. I was a parenting instructor for the Building Strong Families program for one year. I'm now starting my fourth year as a peer counselor. I have three sons ages, 27, 21 and 19. I have one daughter that is 17. I breastfed all of them for close to one year. I enjoy working with Moms supporting their decision to breastfeed their babies. You can reach me at 734-240-3176 or denise_kohler@monroemi.org. 

Heather Hampel

I’m Heather Hampel, Family Nutrition Instructor for Michigan State University Extension in Monroe County.  I am now in my ninth year of working with families on parenting and nutrition education.  Our program provides fun and practical knowledge for stretching your food dollar, food safety, picky eaters, why kids eat the way they do as well as eating right and light.  The program is provided through a series of home visits that is offered exclusively to limited-income individuals and families.   

 Laura Long, RD  and Julia Weiler, RN

Maternal-Infant Health Program
Family Medical Center

Laura Long, RD and Julia Weiler, RN are both employed at Family Medical Center of Michigan.  They can be reached at 734-847-3802, extensions 330 and 370.

Laura is the mother of two children, both breastfed.  She has been working with breastfeeding mothers for 8 years.  She worked for the Lucas County Health Department and helped many moms through the WIC program for six years.  She has been with Family Medical Center of Michigan for the past two years and is currently assisting breastfeeding moms through the Maternal-Infant Health Program and provides prenatal breastfeeding and nutritional education to OB patients.

Julia is the mother of three children, all breastfed.  Her entire nursing career has focused on maternal-child nursing.  She has worked in the hospital setting for over 20 years; St. Charles Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and the University of Michigan in the OB units and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit assisting new mothers with breastfeeding.  She is presently working at the Family Medical Center of Michigan, providing prenatal education and support to OB patients.  

Stephanie Garrett, RD, CLS

Registered Dietitian
Breastfeeding Coordinator Monroe County WIC Program

Hi!  My name is Stephanie and I am a Registered Dietitian and Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Monroe County WIC program.  I was born and raised in Monroe County and I am the mother of two adorable little girls.  I earned my bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Eastern Michigan University, and I began working with the WIC program four years ago.