AdventHealth Gordon launched its new Milk Depot with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 27, further expanding access to life-saving donor breast milk for medically fragile infants across Northwest Georgia.
The Milk Depot, located within The Baby Place at AdventHealth Gordon, has been established in partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank Southeast, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, pasteurized donor human milk to vulnerable infants when a mother’s own milk is unavailable or insufficient.
The event included remarks from AdventHealth Gordon leaders and Amy Painter, executive director of Mothers’ Milk Bank Southeast, along with a ceremonial first donation from community member Holly Wells.
As the organization’s 30th milk collection site, the AdventHealth Gordon Milk Depot will provide approved breast milk donors with a safe, convenient local drop-off location while helping support premature and medically fragile babies throughout the Southeast.
“Human milk plays a critical role in the health and development of vulnerable infants,” said Lauren Everett, Director of The Baby Place at AdventHealth Gordon. “Through this partnership, AdventHealth Gordon is helping improve access to donor milk while supporting mothers, babies and families throughout our region.”
Research shows donor human milk can help reduce serious complications in premature infants, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a leading cause of infant mortality in neonatal intensive care units.
The new Milk Depot, located within AdventHealth Gordon, will serve as a collection site for approved breast milk donors, helping provide life-saving donor milk to infants in need throughout the region. The partnership further strengthens the hospital’s commitment to supporting mothers, babies and families through compassionate, whole-person care.
“At AdventHealth, we are committed to caring for the whole health of every family we serve,” said Justin Birmele, president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon. “The opening of this Milk Depot reflects our dedication to supporting mothers and babies with compassionate care and resources that can make a meaningful difference during some of life’s most important moments.”
Donated breast milk provides vital nutrition for premature and medically fragile infants when a mother’s own milk is unavailable. Through the new depot, approved donors can now safely and conveniently donate excess breast milk locally, helping expand access to this important resource across the Southeast.
The Milk Depot initiative also supports AdventHealth Gordon’s broader vision for women’s and newborn services while strengthening community outreach and family-centered care efforts across the region.
To become a donor, individuals must first complete a free health screening through Mothers’ Milk Bank Southeast. Approved donors may call 706-879-4737 to schedule a drop-off at The Baby Place at AdventHealth Gordon. For more information, visit mymilkbank.org.
For more information about Mothers’ Milk Bank Southeast or becoming an approved donor, visit mymilkbank.org.
