Overview

Dr. Janice M. Riordan: A Legacy of Excellence in Nursing and Lactation Education

The Janice M. Riordan Distinguished Professorship in Maternal Child Health was established in 2007 to honor the extraordinary contributions of this distinguished professor in the School of Nursing at Wichita State University. This endowed professorship supports ongoing advocacy, research, education, and innovation in breastfeeding and human lactation. Dr. Riordan dedicated 23 years to the university before her retirement in 2010, leaving an indelible mark on the field of breastfeeding and human lactation.

Dr. Riordan (1934 -2018) was a trailblazer whose advocacy, education, and research significantly advanced the global lactation community. She was a revered nurse educator and researcher on a national and international level. Her commitment to supporting breastfeeding individuals was deeply rooted in her experiences as a mother of six and as a nurse. She was instrumental in founding the Kansas Chapter of La Leche League International and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, which established the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential, now recognized as the “Gold Standard” in lactation care. Her extraordinary contributions to improve local and global health were noted among her peers, and she was inducted a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), the most prestigious recognition in nursing.

Dr. Riordan served on the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) Board of Directors and was a frequent speaker at international conferences throughout her career. She was inducted as a Fellow in the International Lactation Consultant Association (FILCA) recognizing her significant commitment to ILCA and leadership in the field of lactation. She was the founding editor and author of the textbook Breastfeeding and Human Lactation from the first edition through fifth edition. This text (now in the seventh edition) has long been considered the classic evidence-based “bible” of lactation and breastfeeding for lactation consultants and healthcare providers. In addition, she authored numerous other research publications, as well as five other books.

As an educator, Dr. Riordan was a pioneer in online learning, offering one of the first accredited online university courses in any field. Her course on Breastfeeding and Human Lactation reached students globally, preparing many for the IBCLC exam who otherwise would not have had access to such opportunities. This course continues to evolve, providing the latest evidence-based practices to support lactating individuals.

Dr. Riordan’s legacy is further sustained through expanded online badge courses for workforce development, graduate courses on Human Lactation, innovative research, and the establishment of a lactation simulation lab at Wichita State University. This lab enhances simulation education for nursing students and is set to expand to other health disciplines through interprofessional education.

Dr. Riordan’s kindness, approachability, mentorship and influence on nurses, lactation consultants, educators and researchers cannot be overstated. Her enduring impact on the field of lactation and her dedication to education and advocacy continue to inspire and shape the future of nursing and lactation care.