In 2004, Dr. Jane Grassley wrote her dissertation on Understanding Maternal Breastfeeding Confidence, a subject matter that illuminated throughout her career. In a number of publications, honors and awards received on topics ranging from a grandmother's role in supporting breastfeeding to supporting adolescents in childbirth, nurturing breastfeeding confidence has been a common theme in her research. A theme that shines in her love and passion for the new family and has made her the mentor she is today.

 

Dr. Grassley graduated from University of Oklahoma School of Nursing in 1974; she then traveled the US furthering her education and deepening her passion to nurture and support breastfeeding mothers, babies and families. She pursued a Masters in Maternal Child Nursing from University of Washington, Theological Studies from Fuller Seminary in Seattle WA and later a PhD in Nursing from Texas Women's University.

 

Dr. Grassley moved to the Northwest in 2010, and joined the faculty at Boise State University School of Nursing. She is now professor of nursing and the Jody DeMeyer Endowed Chair in Nursing. She holds a joint appointment with Women’s Services at St. Luke’s Regional Health System where she collaborates with the hospitals’ lactation consultants to develop research and evidence-based practice projects that support breastfeeding.

 

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 20 years, her research has focused on areas related to promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Her current research focuses on the uses of mobile technologies in facilitating community support for mother’s breastfeeding a late preterm or early term infant. Her focus is always invested in understanding how we can nurture mothers’ breastfeeding confidence.