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JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JRMC) – Jamestown Regional Medical Center’s Family BirthPlace is among the first in the nation to successfully complete the EMPower Training initiative.

EMPower is a skills-based competency training in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition. JRMC Family BirthPlace received access to training modules, support services and other resources on breastfeeding practices.

JRMC is one of only two North Dakota birthing hospitals selected for this program. Sanford Health, Bismarck, was also selected. EMPower Training initiative chose only 90 hospitals nationwide.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the EMPower Training initiative is committed to safe implementation of maternity care practices to support optimal infant nutrition, including breastfeeding, toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.

“JRMC is excited for this opportunity to learn how best to support and assist moms, babies and families in getting off to a great start with breastfeeding,” said JRMC Family BirthPlace Manager, Emily Woodley.

About 350 babies are born at JRMC each year.

“JRMC strives to be the best hospital in the country for patients to receive care, employees to work and providers to practice. EMPower Training initiative ensures that our Family BirthPlace team will have the tools and resources necessary to support a mother to be able to breastfeed,” said JRMC Chief Nursing Officer Trisha Jungels. “Those first few hours and days that a mom and her baby spend learning to breastfeed are critical.”

The initiative began in August 2018 with an in-person training course to learn a five-hour curriculum. The training initiative was completed in August 2019. With the help of the training, JRMC’s Family BirthPlace is now equipped with the skills needed to support mothers in the safe implementation of optimal infant nutrition.

To learn more about EMPower Training, Family BirthPlace and breastfeeding, contact JRMC Family BirthPlace at (701) 952-4807 or visit www.jrmcnd.com/family-birthplace/.