Georgia Northwestern Technical College student Melynda Wilson of Dawsonville recently received an $8,000 scholarship from the Medical Association of Georgia Alliance during a ceremony held on the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

The scholarship was part of a $10,000 donation from MAG Alliance to Georgia Northwestern’s Lactation Consultant program. The remaining $2,000 is earmarked for start-up supplies for the new program.

“The MAG Alliance is proud and excited to support Melynda as she learns clinical skills to help mothers and babies who struggle with breastfeeding,” said Dave Street, president of the MAG Alliance.  “As a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for nearly eight years, she has demonstrated a genuine passion for providing this kind of care.”

The scholarship provides $2,000 per semester to cover the cost of Wilson’s tuition and books for the full two-year program.

“I am really looking forward to completing this program and I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Wilson. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the scholarship.”

GNTC’s Lactation Consultant program provides students with clinical experience in the management of lactation, breastfeeding counseling skills, and general health sciences. It is currently being offered as either a diploma or certificate of credit.

Graduates of the program will be trained to sit for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners certification exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

“The graduates of GNTC’s Lactation Consultant program will be employed by medical practices and hospitals, which will ultimately result in better breastfeeding rates and healthier babies,” said Street.

The Medical Association of Georgia Alliance is a network of physicians’ spouses who volunteer to improve the health of all Georgians.