Chaya Lighten, MHA, RPA-C, IBCLC
Chaya was drawn to pediatrics early in her career as a Physician Assistant. She first worked on the pediatric ward in Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY. Following a move to Central NJ, she worked in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She added lactation education to her knowledge-base early on but was excited to provide lactation consultations for patients while she worked at a private pediatric practice as both a PA and an IBCLC. She enjoys blending her neonatal and pediatric medical experience with her lactation expertise.
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Chaya received her Physician Assistant degree from Touro College and completed her Lactation Consultant training through Lactation Education Resources. She is board certified from International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from University of Maryland. She continues to further her skillset, and has advanced bodywork training in craniosacral therapy (CST) through the Upledger Institute as well as the Barnes Myofascial Release method. She is a three-time attendee of the Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad in addition to many other continuing education courses. She lives with her husband and children in Edison, NJ where they enjoy being outdoors kayaking, biking, organic and medicinal gardening and tending their flock of pet chickens!
Marninah Hersh, RN, IBCLC, ICCE​
Marninah was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa. She completed her lactation training at Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital in New York City under the guidance of lactation consultants in practice for over 20 years. During this time, she also completed training as a childbirth educator. Following a move to Central NJ, Marninah joined a large pediatric private practice and has been consulting with breastfeeding mothers and offering breastfeeding classes. Her entertaining yet informative prenatal breastfeeding classes were always well-attended and much appreciated. She is board certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the International Childbirth Education Association. She lives with her husband and children in Highland Park, NJ. When not busy driving carpool or supervising homework, Marninah loves to spend time outdoors with her family, take on DIY projects around the house and entertain family and friends.
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