MY STORY

Maya's received her IBCLC certification in 2001 after working as a postpartum floor nurse. In total, she worked at the Cleveland Clinic’s Hillcrest Hospital for 26 years in the postpartum and lactation departments. Additionally, she has worked - and continues to work - at Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio, under the auspices of Senders Pediatrics. Maya collaborates closely with colleague and friend Dr. Ann Witt.

Maya is passionate about teaching consultants and parents about her world-renowned, easy-to-implement techniques in breast massage. Maya’s passion stems in part from her great aunt Reeva, who worked as a nurse-midwife in Minsk, Belarus, and introduced her to therapeutic breast massage before the technique had a name.

Maya strongly believes that this traditional, hands-on approach is just as relevant to lactation today. In 2013, together with Dr. Ann Witt, Maya published research articles introducing Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation (TBML); a simple, readily accessible, and research-based method of decreasing symptoms of engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. This gentle - yet powerful - technique can be easily taught to parents and healthcare professionals that interact with families on a daily basis.

Maya feels privileged to teach and learn from consultants around the world. Her personal, familial experience translates to a professional practice grounded in knowledge, compassion and evidence.