The Russellville Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic opened a milk depot in support of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Milk Bank.
“The opening of a new milk drop-off depot at the Russellville Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic marks an exciting step for our community,” said Misty L. Virmani, MD, executive medical director of the UAMS Milk Bank, associate professor of pediatrics and neonatology and director of breastfeeding medicine. “This convenient resource offers local families an easy way to donate breast milk, directly supporting the health and well-being of infants throughout Arkansas.”
The Russellville Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic is the first private clinic in Arkansas to open a milk depot, a designated space for women to donate milk that is then sent to the UAMS Milk Bank for screening, pasteurization and nutritional analysis. After processing, milk is sent, according to need, to hospitals throughout Arkansas. Before making a donation, donors must complete an initial screening through the UAMS Milk Bank.
"Russellville Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic is thrilled to partner with the UAMS Milk Bank to open our very own Milk Depot,” said Molly Pilkington, RN, owner and manager of Russellville Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic. “We recognize the vital role breastmilk plays in a child’s growth and development and are proud to contribute to UAMS’s expanding efforts in supporting and educating families in need across Arkansas and the nation.”
The new milk depot is located at 220 N. Sidney Ave., in Russellville. Drop-offs can be made with the front desk attendant Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
“By providing this service within a pediatric clinic, we aim to highlight the vital role breastfeeding plays in not only an infant’s early development but also in promoting long-term health throughout childhood and beyond,” said Virmani. “This initiative underscores the importance of community support in fostering healthier futures for all children, ensuring that every baby has the best start possible.”
The first facility of its kind in Arkansas, the UAMS Milk Bank helps ensure a ready supply of donor milk for sick and vulnerable infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the state, shortening the time it takes for regional hospitals to receive critical milk supplies and improving outcomes for babies.
Previously, Arkansas hospitals relied on donor milk purchased from milk banks in Texas, Michigan, Illinois, and Oklahoma, costing more than $1 million a year. In 2021, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 225 establishing the creation of the milk bank and a special fund to help support the bank.
For information about how to donate milk to the UAMS Milk Bank, visit uamshealth.com/uams-milk-bank. To contact the Milk Bank, call (501) 686-5355 or email milkbank@uams.edu.