Virginia (Ginger) Carney, MPH, RDN, LDN, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA, FAND

Current Position: Director, Clinical Nutrition and Lactation Services, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

Carney’s focus is the promotion and support of breastfeeding in pediatric clinical care as well as in the community in which she works.  She is passionate about elevating the practice of registered dietitians/nutritionists to include clinical lactation care.  She was one of the original authors of the Nutrition in Lactation chapter for the Pediatric Nutrition Care Manual and has served as a reviewer of publications for the Pediatric Nutrition DPG as well as for the Women’s Health DPG.  She has been active locally, state-wide, and nationally serving in professional organizations and boards focusing on the promotion and protection of breastfeeding, as well as advocating for the RDN/IBCLC profession.  She has written numerous articles related to breastfeeding and lactation in both lay and professional publications.  Contributions to book chapters include Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process (14^th Ed), Infant and Pediatric Feedings (3^rd Ed), and the Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care (2^nd Ed). 

Carney received her BS in Dietetics from the University of Tennessee, and an MPH from the University of Memphis School of Public Health.  She recently served as President of the Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently serving as Secretary for the National Lactation Consultant Alliance.