UAMS Milk Bank

07/14/2025

Meet UAMS Milk Bank Board member Jessica Donahue, RN, IBCLC!

Jessica has been a Registered Nurse Lactation Consultant at Baptist Health Medical Center, Little Rock, for 26 years. Jessica has been involved in multiple statewide initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates in Arkansas, including Baby Friendly Arkansas, The Arkansas Breastfeeding Helpline, and Baptist Health Expressly For You- an outpatient breastfeeding center providing appointments and support for breastfeeding mothers around the state.

07/07/2025

Meet Pamela Royal, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, IBCLC, UAMS Milk Bank Board of Directors, Social Outreach!

Pamela Royal is a dedicated and accomplished Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) currently serving at the Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. With 19 years of experience in neonatal intensive care nursing, she has spent the last four years refining her skills and knowledge as an NNP. Her academic prowess is evidenced by her graduate and doctoral degrees from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. She has devoted over 30 years to supporting breastfeeding mothers, a commitment that has led to her certification as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant for the past 14 years. Her dedication to this cause is further underscored by her previous role as the Vice-Chair of the Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition.

Currently, she serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) council at Arkansas Children's Hospital and is an active participant in the Children's Hospital National Consortium DEI Focus Group. Her passion for family-centered care is a testament to her belief in the importance of family in the healing and recovery process. On a personal note, she has been married for 28 years and is the proud mother of six children, all of whom were breastfed. She embodies her professional beliefs in her personal life. In her spare time, she enjoys nurturing relationships with family and friends and satiating her wanderlust through travel.

07/04/2025

🎆 Stars, Stripes, and Sterile Pumps! 🇺🇸

This Independence Day, we’re celebrating life, liberty, and the pursuit of... breast milk! 🍼

While you're firing up the grill and lighting up the sky, don’t forget there’s a quiet kind of heroism happening too—our amazing milk donors are keeping tiny tummies full, one precious ounce at a time.

Have a safe and joyful 4th—and remember, explosions belong in the sky, not in the freezer. (Label your bags, people! 😅)

06/30/2025

Meet Emily Paul, MS, CHES, CCE, CBE, Secretary of the UAMS Milk Bank Board of Directors!

Emily Paul has over 15 years of professional experience in Health Education and Promotion. She has a Master of Science in Health Education, is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), a Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE), a Certified Breastfeeding Educator (CBE), and a certified Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor. Her past professional experience includes 10 years as a patient education specialist for the maternal/infant service line at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her current professional experience includes: 14 years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Arkansas and 3 years at HD Nursing (1 year as the Clinical Education Coordinator and 2 years as a Sustainability Coach).

06/23/2025

Met Dr. Gwenevere White, MD, Co-President of the UAMS Milk Bank Board of Directors!

Dr. Gwenevere White is a General Pediatrician with a passion for education, health equity, and serving vulnerable populations. She currently works as a neonatal hospitalist at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. White’s primary research interests lie in congenital syphilis and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, working to increase understanding and addressing critical issues affecting newborns and their families. Additionally, Dr. White serves as the Treasurer of the Arkansas State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. White’s dedication and impact have been recognized through various accolades. In 2023, she was honored with the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Member of the Year Award and the American Academy of Pediatrics Special Achievement Award, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to pediatric care and advocacy. Within UAMS, her passion for education has been celebrated with the Department of Pediatrics Undergraduate Medical Educator of the Year Award and the Red Sash Award for her leadership and dedication to advancing medical education and healthcare equity.

Dr. White is married to Dr. Tremayne White and they have 3 children- Eli, Nola, and Noah, two of which are NICU graduates. In addition to her healthcare duties, Dr. White and her husband are licensed insurance agents and own the White Insurance Agency, where they serve as independent insurance agents.

06/20/2025

Today we honor freedom, resilience, and the enduring strength of the Black community.

At the UAMS Donor Milk Bank, we recognize the importance of equity in healthcare and the power of giving—whether it's through advocacy, education, or the life-saving gift of donor milk.

Let us reflect on the past, uplift every voice, and commit to a future where every baby and every family has access to the care they deserve.

06/16/2025

Meet Emily Hays, RD, Co-President of the UAMS Milk Bank Board of Directors!!!

"I am so proud and honored to be a part of the board. I am a NICU mom of two and a loss mom. From these experiences, I have had the privilege of donating breast milk twice within the past few years. I have also worked as a registered dietitian in the NICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where I have seen firsthand the necessity and the impact that donor breast milk has. Currently, I have a small baking and garden business. I specialize in gluten-free and dairy-free items, and when in season, I have fresh produce and flowers available. In my free time I enjoy hiking, gardening and being with my family. I am excited to see all that the milk bank does for our community!"

06/15/2025

💙 Happy Father’s Day from the UAMS Milk Bank! 💙

Today we honor the dads who are doing it all — supporting feedings, cheering on donor moms, comforting little ones during midnight wakeups, and championing the health of their tiniest family members.

To the fathers of NICU warriors, the partners of milk donors, and the men making a difference behind the scenes — thank you.

Your love and support nourish more than just your family — it helps us nourish Arkansas' most fragile newborns. 💛

06/10/2025

🌼 Donate Life. Drop Off Hope. 🍼

Did you know? Across our communities, Milk Depots are making it easier than ever to share the gift of nourishment. 💛

A Milk Depot is a local drop-off site where screened, approved donors can bring extra breast milk.

✨ One small drop-off. A lifetime of impact. ✨

📍 Find your nearest Milk Depot today and be part of something truly powerful.
https://uamshealth.com/uams-milk-bank/donate-milk/milk-depots/

06/02/2025

🍼 Kick off your summer with an act of kindness that saves lives!🍼
As the weather heats up, milk donations tend to slow down — but the need never does.

If you're a breastfeeding mom with extra milk, consider donating to the UAMS Milk Bank. Your gift can nourish Arkansas' tiniest and most fragile babies.

💙 Safe. Simple. Life-saving.💙
Learn more or start your donor screening today: milkbank.uams.edu

📍 Located in Little Rock– serving babies across the state.

05/26/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice allows us to live in freedom and care for one another with compassion and hope.

At the UAMS Milk Bank, we are reminded daily of the power of giving — whether through service, sacrifice, or the generous gift of donor milk. This Memorial Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to the families who have lost loved ones, and to all who serve with courage and heart.

❤️ In memory. In gratitude. In unity.

05/23/2025

Learn about YOUR local milk bank and how we help babies in our communities and how YOU can help us!

Did you know? 💡

Check out the graphic for some fun facts about the rich history of milk banking and how it’s shaped the lives of babies for over a century. From the first milk bank in the 1900s to the incredible impact of donor milk today, these facts will give you a deeper appreciation for this life-saving mission. 💙