About Us
Our Physician
Miena M. Hall, MD, IBCLC
Dr. Miena Hall is a breastfeeding and lactation medicine physician and researcher who has been supporting breastfeeding families since 2005. She graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College with her bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry and earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Chicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hospital, her fellowship in breastfeeding and lactation medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and her T-32 postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
As the inaugural Director of Scientific Affairs at the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, Dr. Hall will manage the milk bank’s research and grant projects, physician engagement and educational outreach, and outpatient milk programs. Her research focuses on skimmed milk for pediatric patients with fatty acid oxidation disorders, low milk production and the use of breast imaging to identify insufficient glandular development during pregnancy, and the development and implementation of breastfeeding knowledgeable health systems.
Dr. Hall is passionate about breastfeeding education, teaching medical students at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students through the Mothers' Milk Bank's internship programs. She is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) protocol committee on low milk production, a medical advisor to La Leche League International (LLLI), and the immediate past president of the Northern Illinois Lactation Consultant Organization (NILCA).
In her free time, Dr. Hall enjoys reading, hiking, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. She credits her multiple breastfeeding journeys with her four children and the aid which she received as her continuing inspiration to help lactating dyads in need.
Our Lactation Consultants
Taylor Aguirre, MA, IBCLC
As a new mom of twins in 2015, I struggled to breastfeed. It was really important to me to give my babies breastmilk, so I met with several lactation consultants, spent hours on Google and Facebook, and eventually after a few months of exclusively pumping, using nipple shields, and figuring it out one step at a time, I was able to breastfeed my twins for 2 years. I then went on to become a La Leche League leader to help and support other parents on their feeding journeys. After becoming a LLL leader I decided to pursue becoming an IBCLC so that I could gain more knowledge and help more families. I had my third child in 2018 right after completing my CLC certificate (Certified Lactation Counselor) and breastfed her for 3 years while studying to become an IBCLC, and in 2021 I passed the exam. I'm so excited to finally be an IBCLC and hope that you'll entrust me to help you on your feeding journey! I have a master's degree in counseling psychology, so your mental health is very important to me, and I believe that lactation care should be for everyone. Taylor-made Lactation does not discriminate against clients on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, sex, gender identity, sexuality, religion, physical ability, or marital status. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make you more comfortable when we're working together to help you achieve your goals.
Professional Credentials and Continuing Education:
- CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor), certified by the Healthy Children Project - Center for Breastfeeding, 2017-2020
- IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), since May 2021
- Member of Northern Illinois Lactation Consultant Association (NILCA)
- Member of USLCA (United States Lactation Consultant Association)
- La Leche League leader 2017-2021
- Master's of Arts in Counseling, specialization in forensic psychology, 2013
Some trainings I've attended (not a comprehensive list):
- Lactation Therapy: Advanced Clinical Skills Workshop with Lisa Lahey FNP-C, IBCLC, CSOM and Maya Bolman, BSN, RN, IBCLC
- Babies in Common Pumping and Feeding Gear workshop for IBCLCs with Jeanette Mesite Frem, MHS, IBCLC, RLC, CCE, SBCPE, CD
- Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser with Susan Howard, MSN, RN, IBCLC
- Supporting Latching Skills: How to Use Rhythmic Movements to Support Feeding with Avery Young M.S., M.Ed, IBCLC of Nourished Young
- Reflex Based Oral Function with Avery Young of Nourished Young
- Pre/Post Frenectomy Prep and Readiness course by Natalie Udwin MSOT, OTR/L at Nat the Baby OT,
Elise Fulara, RN, MA, IBCLC
Bio coming soon!
Dana Ryszetnyk, IBCLC
Bio coming soon!