​Carey Acosta RN, IBCLC 
(President )
​
Lactation Coordinator Homestead Hospital
Carey Acosta is a South Florida native and graduate of Miami Dade College with an ASN. She has been a registered nurse for seventeen years with experience in Cardiac step-down, Medical/Surgical, and Maternal Newborn Care. In 2009, she moved to Homestead Hospital's Mother Baby Unit. This is where she found her true passion - helping families be successful on their breastfeeding journey. Carey is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and has the pleasure of offering free follow-up lactation consultations to the underserved community where she works. She is a 3-time recipient of the Daisy Award, won Specialty Nurse of the Year for Homestead Hospital in 2019, and is the current Nurse of the Year for her unit and for Homestead Hospital. Carey is currently an AWHONN, FLCA, and ANA member and has served as Chairperson on numerous committees at Homestead Hospital over the years. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband, 12-year-old son, and mini golden doodle.  
Melissa Portunato MA, IBCLC, RLC 
​​(President Elect)
​
Melissa Portunato is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2016. She is recognized as a trusted expert in the lactation field. She brings over a decade of experience collaborating with leading breast pump manufacturers and championing community advocacy, education, and breastfeeding awareness. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Florida International University and a Master’s Degree in Lactation from Union Institute & University. As a mother of five, Melissa has breastfed for a combined total of more than ten years, grounding her professional expertise in real-life experience. Known for her authentic, evidence-based approach, she delivers personalized care to help families achieve their feeding goals and provides clinicians with effective, skill-building tools to strengthen their clinical practice. Melissa is dedicated to advancing the lactation profession and advocating for equitable, accessible breastfeeding care across Florida and beyond. She is honored to serve as President-Elect of the Florida Lactation Consultant Association (FLCA).
Maureen Crissy RN, IBCLC 
​​(Past President)
​
Maureen (Beanie) Crissy has over 30 years of working in Lactation and Maternal Child Health in many capacities.  Maureen was born and raised in Florida and has been a leader supporting forward movement in the field of Breastfeeding promotion.  As a NICU nurse and IBCLC (26 years), Maureen worked closely with state leaders to pass Medicaid coverage for breast pumps and was a Founding member of the HMBANA Florida Mothers Milk Bank. Her leadership was instrumental in collaborating with hospitals across the state to open milk depot sites.
Maureen opened the first full-service hospital-based lactation program in Palm Beach County in 1999.  Her passion for mother and baby led her to Ameda, Inc., a leading hospital-based Breast Pump company for 15 years. Her many roles included Regional Sales Manager and National Clinical Development Manager working with Lactation Consultants on breastfeeding promotion and education throughout the country. 
She is currently the proud Owner of Mama Bean Lactation Services, a thriving lactation consulting practice servicing Broward and Palm Beach County. She is also an instructor for Florida State University through the Center for Prevention and Early Intervention where she teaches a 20-hour Breastfeeding certification course for thriving lactation professionals throughout the country.
Maureen resides in Lighthouse Point Florida with her family and is a proud mother of two wonderful grown children ages 28 and 25.
Kelly Giordano RN, IBCLC 
​​(Membership Secretary)
​
Kelly Giordano has been a Neonatal ICU nurse for 34 years and is currently working at St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and then continued her education at Barry University, where she received her master’s degree in nursing administration.  In the past 34 years, she has served in roles as the NICU Educator as well as a Lactation Consultant. She has been a Lactation Consultant for 23 years has worked per diem at Wellington Regional Medical Center in their Lactation Program. Currently, she is a staff nurse in the NICU, but continues her role as a Lactation Consultant working with mothers of the most fragile infants. Her latest educational endeavor is writing a colostrum care policy in an effort to educate the parents about the benefits of colostrum and to increase colostrum care in our unit. Her hobbies include tennis, long walks on her days off and going to the beach. She is from a big family of FSU graduates and love everything FSU!
Dr, Leah Dash DC, IBCLC 
​(Educational Chairperson)

Chiropractor, Pelvic Floor Therapist, and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Mama to one 2 year old toddler terrorist and two old furry ladies (dogs), wife to my sweet husband, and a proud Harry Potter nerd and Disney Adult. I’ve been part of The Village that supports mothers/birthing people for several years now and recently opened my own practice in Lake Mary.Doctor of Chiropractic: University of Western States, 2021Bachelor of Science, Human Biology: University of Western States, 2019. Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology: University of Central Florida, 2016.EMT and Associates: Palm Beach Community College, 2008 and 2013.​

 
Asma Lateef BSN, RN, IBCLC
 (Recording Secretary)
​
Newly International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant
Registered Nurse with a background in Medical-Surgical nursing and community-based lactation support.Her passion for health and wellness has guided her throughout her nursing career and ultimately inspired her to specialize in lactation, helping families nourish, connect, and thrive during one of the most meaningful seasons of life.A mother of three daughters, all breastfed for over a year Asma blends clinical expertise with lived experience to provide compassionate, culturally aware care.
She is currently in the process of launching her private practice, MILK & MERCY, a long-held dream rooted in her desire to support families with evidence-based care, empathy, and dignity.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with her large, loving family.
Dawn Baltz MSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC
(Treasurer)

My story to becoming an IBCLC was inspired by my daughter.  Born at 37 weeks she was a great pretender and zapped my supply within 2 weeks.  My hospital IBCLC met with me and shared my struggles with re-establishing a supply. I even had a private IBCLC visit me in my home.  However, she never nursed effectively so I pumped and fed.  I did not want any mother to go through what I did.  Because even as a nurse, I didn’t know enough about breastfeeding to be successful.  I took a position at the hospital I gave birth at which just happened to be starting their Baby Friendly journey.  I learned so much there and eventually became a CLC.  I continued to obtain hours and then sat for my IBCLC in 2009. 
I work as a Lactation Consultant at Morton Plant Hospital.  I am a member of ILCA, USLCA, FLCA, and AWHONN.  I have always felt it important to participate in my professional organizations.  I also participate in the Tampa Bay Breastfeeding Task Force. I have a strong background in maternal infant health.  I am proud to be a FLCA member.  I was honored to be able to serve as the Recording Secretary.  I am currently the FLCA ZipMilk Committee Chair.  And now I am honored to serve as the Treasurer.  
Mary Buskohl-Coulton MSN, RN,
Retired IBCLC 
​(Webmaster & Social Media Chairperson)

Originally from Aurora, Colorado I grew up as an Air Force brat and moved frequently. Moved to Florida in 1994. I graduated with my ASDN in 1999 from Florida Community College in Jacksonville. I went on to complete my BSN and MSN through University of Central Florida. I have worked for the navy since November 1997. The first 13 years was on the mother baby unit, L&D, and critical baby nursery followed by the role as the command's Immunization Program Director. In 2001 I joined the team that would take the hospital on the journey towards becoming Baby Friendly Certified. In August 2011 we became the first Baby Friendly Certified Hospital in Northeast Florida. We were the third military hospital and only the second navy hospital to earn this certification. The naval hospital remains certified as Baby Friendly. 
I have been a IBCLC since 2004.
​December 31, 2022, I retired from the navy hospital after 25 years.
I am an adjunct instructor with 2 local colleges. At Florida Gateway College, I teach Human Nutrition online for the nursing program, as well as in the lab/simulation, lecture and clinicals.  At Saint Johns River State College, I teach Concepts of Disease and Medical Terminology online for the Allied Health Program.
I have been a part of FLCA since 2002 and have held the following positions on the FLCA Board: Recording Secretary, President Elect, President, Past President and Treasurer.

​The FLCA website is not my website. It belongs to FLCA. One person cannot know everything that the members would like to see on the web pages. I reply on the members to tell me when they hear about conferences as well as what your hospital, clinic, and community is doing to help the breastfeeding families.