CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Paula K. Schreck, MD, IBCLC, FABM

Trained as a pediatrician and lactation consultant, Paula has always had an interest and focus in optimizing maternal and child health. As Coffective’s Chief Medical Officer, Paula is inspired to think beyond the patient room, translating her clinical expertise on a scale she never imagined.

Paula initially joined Coffective as a collaborator on the mobile app, a resource that helps prepare families for their birthing experience and breastfeeding journeys. Since 2013, she has played an integral part in developing other nationally rolled out products as well, including Coffective’s provider education and suite of clinical quality improvement tools. More recently, Paula has established Coffective evaluation frameworks, and has worked to co-create resources to assess the community’s inclusion in hospital task forces.

Currently, Paula oversees statewide clinical initiatives designed to improve evidence-based maternity care practices and integrate community voice into quality improvement efforts. Paula also contributes to evaluation design and implementation, fund development strategy, and grant writing.

Paula has been able to apply her training and skill in pediatric care and breastfeeding medicine to her many roles. She is Program Director and creator of The Lactation Consultant Program, an affiliation between Ascension, Michigan, and Henry Ford College. The Lactation Consultant Program is an accredited Pathway 2 lactation consultant training program, focused on diversity and inclusion in the lactation field. She is Medical Director of Breastfeeding Support Services at Ascension St. John Hospital, and supports Ascension hospitals across the country in their pursuit of Baby-Friendly designation. Paula maintains a primary care pediatric and hospitalist practice at Cornerstone St. John Pediatric Associates. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and the State of Michigan Breastfeeding Liaison for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Paula graduated from University of Michigan Medical School and trained at University of California, San Diego for residency.

Paula lives in the Detroit metropolitan area with her husband of 30 years, a fellow physician, and two college-age sons. In her free time, Paula does yoga, travels, and is learning to knit. An avid reader and fan of Jane Austen, one of Paula’s favorite pastimes is going on walks along lake St. Clair with her golden retriever, Earl Fitzwilliam Darcy – but you can call him Mr. Darcy!