Coral Springs, Florida - Broward Health Coral Springs is proud to partner with Mothers' Milk Bank of Florida (MMBFL) as the first Milk Bank Depot in Broward County. Broward Health has utilized Pasteurized Donor Human Milk in the treatment and care of premature and critically ill babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Mother’s Milk Bank of Florida by utilizing the gift of donor milk for our tiniest patients, and now also by participating with our community with giving back as a depot location,” said Sabra Henry, Administrative Director, Women’s and Children’s Health at Broward Health Coral Springs. “The new Milk Depot will provide our community with a safe, controlled location where women may donate their extra breast milk to help other at-risk babies.”
Approximately 14% of Florida babies are born preterm according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast milk for premature or seriously ill newborns is an effective way to enhance the baby’s health, growth and development. Breast milk can reduce the incidence of serious and even fatal digestive tract infections.
Once frozen donated milk is received at Broward Health Coral Springs’ Milk Depot, it’s sent via courier to the Milk Bank where it’s tested for bacteria and levels of nutrients and pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses. Before the pasteurized milk is dispensed, bacteriological testing is done to ensure its safety. Donor milk is dispensed to babies by a doctor’s prescription.
Potential donors must provide a complete medical and lifestyle history and undergo blood tests before becoming a registered donor. Women interested in qualifying as a donor should call MMBFL at 407-248-5050 or visit their website www.milkbankofflorida.org. Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
Registered donors may call The Maternity Place at Broward Health Coral Springs to schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant to deliver the milk. Only donors who have completed the qualification process and been assigned a donor number may schedule appointments by calling 954-575-MILK.
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, a dynamic academic partnership with Florida Atlantic University, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.6 billion, and annually provides more than $522.6 million of charity and uncompensated care.
For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.