Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Gonzalez.
Hi Fatima, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my career in 2007. My son was born in 2007 and it sparked a deep passion to help other breast-feeding families. I pitched the idea to my employer at the time to allow me the opportunity to dive deep into lactation education and training. I was given the opportunity by Miami Children’s Hospital now known as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to complete a lactation internship. Upon the completion of my very diverse clinical experience with some of the most complex cases in the city, I was offered the position to stay as the health system’s lactation specialist.
I had an extremely supportive Director , who strongly believed in me. I til this day, thank her and many others for the opportunity of a lifetime. In 2015, I decided to venture into private practice. I always wanted to be my own boss and create something that would allow me the opportunity to continue to grow. What started off as a team of one, has now grown to a wonderful administrative team as well as a well-rounded clinical team to help serve our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Oh no! I’m still learning almost a decade later! My entire working career has been in healthcare, starting in Pharmacy until I became a lactation consultant. There has been no official business training. Everything has been built from the ground up. Making lots of mistakes, but learning from them. I think the hardest part of a successful business is having the right people on your team. The practice is ever so growing, and requires constant reevaluation and implementation of changes to successfully move forward. This world is ever so changing and the practice has to continue to change to provide the best care.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about MJ Lactation Services ?
The practice specializes in lactation management from prenatal period to weaning. We empower our families by providing evidence based education and guide them through their very unique journey once baby arrives.
We provide in office consultation, Home visits and telehealth. We currently have two locations in Coral Gables and one location in Doral.
Being internationally board-certified allows us the opportunity to extend our services internationally via telehealth.
We have also expanded our home consultations to Nashville, Tennessee, and New York City. We hope to bring the absolute best care to other cities around the nation and the world in the future.
Everyone on our clinical team has extensive knowledge in pediatrics.
Specializing in
Prenatal education
Positioning and latching
Prematurity
Ankyloglossia
Exclusively pumping
Breast care
Returning to work
Bottle refusal
Lactation suppression
Multiples
And given our extensive pediatric background, we can assist families Navigating lactation with a baby with complex and or multiple diagnoses
(For example, Cardiac / Gastrointestinal / Neurological Disorders to name a few)
I am the most proud to be able to provide families the most comprehensive and compassionate lactation care available no matter the circumstances, from beginning to end.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Be patient. Be open to the idea that some things will be hard. Some days will be hard but at the end, extremely rewarding. If you don’t get it right the first time, pick yourself up and try again. Surround yourself with others who want to see you succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mjlactation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjlactation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/dHyG5shjFLWGYstK/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-gonzalez-b3085724
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/mj-lactation-services-coral-gables
Image Credits
Shanin Arce Photography
