Rebecca E Abernathy, MD
Breastfeeding Lactation Medicine
Additional Locations
Bio & Overview
Rebecca Em Abernathy, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and internationally certified lactation consultant. She specializes in breastfeeding medicine, complex medical patients, mental health, refugee care, and trauma recovery.
Abernathy cares for children and adolescents for wellness checks and for acute illnesses in the International Clinic and for children with complex medical needs in the Complex Care Clinic. She supports families in breastfeeding care at the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic.
She earned her medical degree and completed her internship and residency training in pediatric and adolescent medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University.
An associate professor, Abernathy mentors medical students, interns, and residents. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recognized her for excellence in continuing medical education. In 2018, she earned a Commitment to Faculty Development in Medical Education certificate.
Abernathy is a leader in quality improvement projects for medical home certification, immunizations, asthma, social determinants of health, postpartum depression, and maternal morbidity. She is trauma-informed certified, trained in patient-centered mental health in pediatric primary care, and has earned a certificate as an eco-therapy coach. She is internationally certified as a lactation consultant.
Since 2017, Abernathy has volunteered in Albemarle County as an elected member of the School Health Advisory Board. She also serves on the Virginia Breastfeeding Advisory Committee and was a physician volunteer in Haiti.
She is married, has five children, and enjoys the beautiful outdoors in our community. She supports the local animal shelter as a foster parent and rescues animals.
Academic Information
- Academic Role
- Assistant Professor
- Research Interests
- Quality Improvement, Breastfeeding Medicine, Complex Medical Needs, Smoking Cessation, Postpartum Depression, Asthma, Social Emotional Determinants of Health, and Skin Conditions
- Gender
- Female
- Languages
- English
- Age Groups Seen
- Infants (0-2)
Children (2-12)
Adolescents (12-21)
Adults (21-65)
- Primary Education
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Residency
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Certification
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)), American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)
- Additional Specialties
- Pediatric Complex Care
Highlights
Awards
- 2005-2008, Reach out and Read Trainer
- 2002-2005, Reach out and Read Coordinator
- 2007 and 2018, AAP Award for obtaining >150 CME educational credits for 3 consecutive years prior
- 2018, Ecotherapy Certificate Awarded August
- 2018, Certificate of Commitment to Faculty Development in Medical Education
- Trauma Informed Certification 2019
- Reach Institute Trained 2021
- 2022 Excellence In Performance Award
- Pediatric Leadership in Academic Medicine Training 2022
Reviews
47 Patient Satisfaction Ratings
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