2.19.20
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Stephanne Rupnicki, along with Suzanne Bentley and Lori Raile have been elected to the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, Inc. (KBC).
KBC Executive Director, Brenda Bandy, announced, “I am pleased to welcome our three newest members to our Board of Directors. They each have a unique background, with diverse experiences that make them an asset to the KBC’s Board of Directors and to the organization as a whole.”
Stephanne Rupnicki, a recognized member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, has served as the PBP Nation’s Breastfeeding Peer Counselor since April 2018. In 2019, Rupnicki received the Tribal Trailblazer award from the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee. Rupnicki has a passion for breastfeeding support and advocacy. As a mother of 5 sons and 1 daughter, with husband John Rupnicki, Jr. (PBPN), she believes having support leads to a successful breastfeeding journey.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi community can reach Rupnicki at 785-305-0334 or through the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition Facebook page @PBPNBC.
The KBC’s 2020 Board of Directors are:
- Sarah Jolley, Chair; Evaluation Coordinator, Center for Applied Research and Evaluation, Wichita State University
- Stephanne Rupnicki; Chair-Elect; Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
- Lisette Jacobson, Past-Chair; Assistant Professor, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
- Susan Lukwago; Secretary; Nutrition Services Coordinator, Seward County Health Department
- Earlisha Killeen; Treasurer; WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Riley County Health Dept.
- Treva Smith; Director-at-large; Community Education Coordinator, Swope Health Services
- Suzanne Bentley; Director-at-large; Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Kansas Medical Center
- Lori Raile; Director-at-large; OB Manager, Cheyenne County Hospital
About the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
Founded in 2008, the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works collaboratively to promote, support and protect breastfeeding to improve the health and well-being of Kansas families. The KBC strives to create a culture of breastfeeding support across Kansas through policy and practice change. For more information about the KBC, visit: http://ksbreastfeeding.org/