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ABOUT US
WELCOME
The Vermont Donor Milk Center, Inc. opened its doors in 2020 as a nonprofit organization providing pasteurized donor human milk to babies in need across Vermont and northern New York. Newborns and infants receive life-saving nutrition and food security for a healthy start in life from our milk dispensing site and donation drop-off location.
We’re honored to partner with milk banks that are certified by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). We buy milk from HMBANA certified milk banks and send our donated milk to them for processing.
OUR MISSION
The Vermont Donor Milk Center, Inc. opened it’s doors in 2020 as a nonprofit organization providing pasteurized donor human milk to babies in need across Vermont and northern New York. Newborns and infants receive life-saving nutrition and food security for a healthy start in life from our milk dispensing site and donation drop-off location.
WHY WE'RE HERE
WHY WE'RE HERE
There are many reasons babies need supplementation during their breastfeeding journey including weight loss, problems latching, and underlying medical conditions.
Across the State of Vermont, 40% of our newborns are having to use supplementation after leaving the hospital. Many families want an alternative to supplementing with formula because breast milk makes such a huge difference for babies’ short and long-term health, decreasing the risks of acute and chronic illnesses throughout their life.
The Vermont Donor Milk Center, Inc. is the first outpatient initiative in Vermont to bridge the gap in infant nutrition from the hospital to the home and is the first resource for families to obtain pasteurized donor human milk locally.
Meet The Team
Amy Wenger
Co-Executive Director
Amy Wenger, RN, is a Certified Lactation Specialist, Childbirth and Newborn Educator, Labor and Postpartum doula, and a Certified Massage therapist. She’s been working in the maternal-child health field for over 20 years and will soon become an International board-certified lactation consultant. Amy has worked in the role of Maternal-Child/Pediatric nurse on the Mother-Baby unit at UVMMC; a clinical nurse at a pediatric clinic in Chittenden County and clinical practice administrator at a pediatric clinic in Lamoille County. Currently, Amy is the clinical nurse manager for a home health agency, Amy is a mom to two boys..
The VDMC has been a project of Amy’s heart for over two years. Born out of a gap in care and need for a choice in supplementation for Vermont babies, Amy has seen the need to build a movement for newborn food security.
Rachel Foxx
Co-Executive Director
Rachel Foxx, an RN and international board certified lactation consultant, has been active in the support and education of breastfeeding for over 18 years. She was one of the founding members of the Chittenden County Breastfeeding Coalition. She worked with her local La Leche League group as a leader for many years. Rachel has worked with new families as a postpartum nurse and lactation consultant since 2007, on the maternity floor at the University of Vermont Medical Center and was a pediatric nurse in an outpatient office for 10 years. She was an integral part of expanding pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) availability in the newborn nursery at UVMMC and is very excited to be bringing PDHM to the community.
Rachel is a single mother to a wonderful teenage daughter, and is currently in graduate school, earning a master of nursing education.
Our Board
Ross Sanner
Board Member
Ross Sanner currently serves as the CEO and Partner at Bullrock Renewables, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. He is also the founder and CEO of Think Growth Consulting, a leading company that guides for-profit and non-profit businesses through smart, expansive investment and growth opportunities. Clients range from fortune 500 companies to local clients in his home state of Vermont. He began his career in the finance industry in a fortune 100 bank and has over 15 years of experience as an executive leading companies toward their potential.
Susan Cline Lucey
Board Member Emeritus
Susan Cline Lucey is the founder and owner of GROW Prenatal & Family Center. She is certified as a childbirth educator, labor doula and yoga instructor. Over the past 17 years Susan has worked in Vermont’s perinatal community and has established herself as a deeply respected leader in these circles. When not helping local families, she’s with her own family including her three boys ages 7-16.
Casey Sanner, MD
Board Member
Casey Sanner, MD is a local pediatrician part of Lakeside Pediatrics in Burlington, VT. She has a particular interest in newborn and infant health wanting the best possible start in life for our most vulnerable population. She is excited to be a part of this important initiative in our community. She is the proud mom to three girls, including a set of twins!
Emily Carson
Board Member
Emily Carson joined the board of the VDMC in 2024. She is a wife and mother of two feisty girls. She is a CLC and mother-baby nurse at UVMC. She is passionate about making donor milk accessible and helping family’s with their desired feeding goals.
Natasha Payton
Board Member
Natasha joined the VDMC board in 2024. As the Strategic Brand Marketing Manager at Lund and a certified yoga teacher, she is deeply passionate about supporting the perinatal community. Natasha is excited to contribute to VDMC's mission and help expand its reach. A native Vermonter, she lives in Williston with her husband and spunky daughter. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors and taking in all the beauty Vermont has to offer.
Lisa Velasquez Kerns
Board Member
Lisa is a dedicated mother of two and a certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). As the owner of Promise Lactation Consulting and Lactation Resources of VT, Inc., Lisa is passionate about supporting families in their breastfeeding journeys. She also serves as a steward of the milk dispensary site for the Vermont Donor Milk Center in Rutland County. Residing in Mendon, Lisa combines her expertise and personal experience to foster a nurturing environment for mothers and infants alike.
Courtney Walker-Borch
Board Member
Courtney holds several different roles! Sometimes RN, IBCLC or FNP, in-patient at UVMMC, at a local pediatric office and a few home visits here and there. She loves all of these roles and that they share the goal of family-centered care. Courtney lives in Essex with her wife, Kelly, and their 3 girls: Maddie, Lucy and Ellie. She is happy to be new to the Board at VDMC.