Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee
Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee is dedicated to providing safe, pasteurized donor human milk to the most vulnerable babies. Natural, safe pasteurized human milk (PDHM) is needed because it has been shown to decrease the incidence of life-threatening newborn infections. In fact, recent studies proved the use of only human milk to feed preterm and low birth weight infants reduced mortality by 75%.Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee was founded in 2014 by Brister and Helen Scott, and Bruce and Susan Campbell. Throughout their careers both Susan Campbell, a neonatologist, and Helen Scott, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and registered nurse, saw firsthand how preterm infants benefitted from having human milk compared to babies who were given formula. Their experiences along with research studies conducted by their colleagues that proved human milk decreases the incidence of life-threatening infections fueled their desire to start a milk bank in Tennessee.In 2015, Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee became a developing Milk Bank with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and was mentored by the Austin Milk Bank. On November 17, 2021, Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee opened its pasteurization facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Since opening in 2021, we have collected and dispensed more than 1 million ounces of lifesaving donor milk to the most fragile and vulnerable babies in our state. Today, the organization is led by Amy Painter, a former milk donor and passionate advocate for medically fragile babies.