JENNIFER MELTON

Jennifer Melton, MSN, RN, C-ONQS, IBCLC, is committed to lifelong learning and the pursuit of challenging and rewarding work. Throughout her 28 years of experience in various nursing specialties and roles, Jennifer has focused on delivering care and improving outcomes for women, neonates, and children. As System Performance Improvement Manager for Obstetrics at Ochsner Health, she brings a deep understanding of clinical operations, quality standards, and compassionate care for birthing people and newborns to an extensive healthcare system.

Jennifer began her career in pediatrics before transitioning to neonatal intensive care and the newborn nursery. In 2007, she became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, reflecting her commitment to supporting breastfeeding families. Her leadership journey began in 2009, and she went on to serve for over a decade as Director of Women’s Services at Ochsner Medical Center Kenner, where she oversaw Labor and Delivery, Mother/Baby, NICU, and Lactation services. In 2021, she moved into a system-wide role focused on standardizing care and driving improvement across Ochsner’s obstetric service line.

Jennifer is a passionate advocate for family-centered, equitable, and evidence-based maternity care. She played a key role in helping her facility achieve Baby-Friendly designation in 2018 and has continued that commitment by encouraging other Ochsner hospitals to join the CHAMPS National initiative—six of which are now on track to improve breastfeeding support and outcomes.

Jennifer shares, “Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of watching a metamorphosis in maternal and newborn care—from medicalized births to a model centered on families, and from normalized formula feeding to an embrace of breastfeeding. My goal by retirement is to help create a healthcare system where all birthing persons have access to safe, equitable, and affordable care.”

CHEER is proud to honor Jennifer Melton as our CHAMPion of the Week and celebrate her leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to improving maternal and infant health.