The Thursday, July 9th, Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting was a bittersweet event. The Board mourned the loss of Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, who passed away unexpectedly on June 21st from surgery complications. Commissioner Bedford served our community with dedication and love. The members of the Board shared their sadness at the loss and recognized Commissioner Bedford’s service and friendship.
Also on the agenda was a proclamation recognizing the exemplary work and dedication of Health Director Quintana Stewart, whose last day with the Orange County Health Department was July 10th. Health Director Stewart has been a strong supporter of Breastfeed Orange NC. Under Quintana Stewart’s leadership, the Orange County Health Department strengthened its support for the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community and its role as a stakeholder in the Breastfeed Orange NC initiative. The Health Department support was an integral part of the Town of Carrboro’s Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Designation.
Addressing the Orange County Board of Commissioners after the proclamation was read, Quintana included Breastfeed Orange NC in her remarks.
Thank you, Director Steward, for your support! The good news is that Quintana looks forward to “taking Breastfeeding Communities on the road” to her next role.
The Orange County Health Department has been a stakeholder in Breastfeed Orange NC from its beginning, when the initiative was piloted as the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. In 2014, the Health Department was awarded the Community Partner and Employer award. In 2016, the Health Department achieved the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Family Friendly Clinic award. The Orange County Board of Health has appointed Dorothy Cilenti as interim health director. The Breastfeed Orange NC team looks forward to working with Interim Health Director Cilenti and the dedicated staff at the Health Department, while Orange County conducts a search for a permanent health director.
Breastfeed Orange NC extends our deepest gratitude to Health Director Quintana Stewart for your dedication and enthusiasm and commitment to supporting a breastfeeding family friendly community!
We know that the Orange County Health Department will continue to foster a warm, safe, and welcoming community for all nursing families.
