- Location
- Valdosta, GA, 31601 View location on Google Maps
- Primary Phone
- +1 (229) 474-9741
- Description
- Sista Girl Birth Initiative is an emerging perinatal non-profit started in 2023 by Kristina Cheek, who serves as the Founder and Executive Director. The mission of Sista Girl Birth Initiative is to improve the birth outcomes of Black pregnant women, children and fathers, and to address and eliminate the disparities that we face such as high maternal and infant mortality rates, preterm births, maternal near misses, morbidities, low breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, and racism/bias in rural South Georgia, with a base in Valdosta. We provide preconception, prenatal and postpartum education by leading free evidence-based and culturally reflective workshops, doula and lactation support, and a Fatherhood Enrichment program. SGBI is also extensively involved in policy and advocacy for perineal health on a local and state level. Kristina Cheek is a PAT Certified Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visitor, previously serving as a Family Support Specialist with the Healthy Start program with Baby LUV Certified Lactation Counselor, Doula, and Childbirth Educator, and also the former WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator for District 8-1 for South Health District/Georgia Department of Public Health. She is also a Perinatal Mental Health Counselor candidate and will sit for the board exam in 2024. She is a Morehouse Perinatal Patient Navigator and a cohort selectee of the Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association Birth & Breastfeeding Leadership Training Program, which she will graduate from in October 2024. She also serves as a member of the Community Accountability Board with Morehouse School of Medicine Center for Maternal Health Equity, which aims to improve maternal health in rural Georgia over the next five years through extensive research and program implementation, and through policy change. Kristina is also a birthworker under Sister Song Birth Justice Care Fund, and also a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist cohort member and maternal mental health committee member with Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. Sista Girl Birth Initiative was also deemed as a Perinatal Safe Spot through the National Perinatal Task Force in March 2024.
- Practice
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Private practiceClinic practiceHome visitsHospital practiceOffice practiceVirtual / Phone consultation
- Services
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Lactation consultationPump rentalsNutrition consultation
- Other info
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Professional educationBreastfeeding education
