Erica Hesch Anstey, PhD, MA University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
Erica Hesch Anstey received her PhD in public health from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She also has an MA in women’s studies and is a certified lactation counselor (CLC). Erica has long been interested in becoming a leader in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and was an MCH Trainee (2011-2012). She is a member of the International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals, and at the local level, she is involved with the Hillsborough County Breastfeeding Task Force, a collaborative of interdisciplinary professionals advocating for optimal MCH outcomes. Her research interests include breastfeeding management issues, tongue-tie, breastfeeding disparities, and family-centered care. She has worked on several studies related to breastfeeding including a community needs assessment for a university-led clinical lactation program, and her dissertation on International Board Certified Lactation Consultants' (IBCLCs') perceived professional barriers to managing early breastfeeding problems. Erica is particularly interested in bridging the disciplines of feminist studies and public health as a way to improve maternal and child health outcomes and delivery of care. She plans to continue to teach and conduct innovative and translational breastfeeding-related research.