The faces behind the Milk Bank: Diet technician Jessica

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank? It’s a bustling place, and we are lucky to have a very dedicated team that works hard to ensure donor human milk is safely pasteurized. In this series, we highlight members of the Milk Bank’s amazing team, one story at a time.

Meet Jessica, one of seven diet technicians at the Milk Bank. She and her team make sure preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) receive safe, nutritious donor milk. Her typical day ranges from collecting milk donations to shipping them to hospitals. Each step plays a key role in processing donor human milk.

We asked Jessica what it means to be a diet technician at the Milk Bank and what led her to this career. Here’s what she told us:

Describe a typical day working as a diet technician at the Milk Bank.

Our daily tasks run from the initial milk donation to shipment to hospitals. A typical day includes quality checks on incoming milk donations and collecting and testing samples to assess bacterial levels. Once we have the lab results, we ensure they meet our safety standards. If they do, we start the pasteurization process using a recipe by pooling three to five donors. Once the final bottles are tested and approved, we dispense and pack the milk for hospitals.

Why did you decide to pursue a career as a diet technician?

My career journey has been shaped by my passion for food and nutrition. I studied at George Brown College in culinary management and food and nutrition management. From there, I embarked on a path that combined my love for nourishing others through food. It all began by feeding people. Now, as a diet technician, I provide essential donor human milk to nourish a very fragile population. This journey is the fusion of my passion and a meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of these infants.

In your current role, what is an accomplishment you are most proud of?

I’m most proud of being part of the remarkable November 2020 milestone of 1 million ounces of milk dispensed to hospital NICUs since the Milk Bank opened in 2013. It’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team at the Milk Bank.

What does teamwork and collaboration in your work environment look like?

Teamwork and collaboration are the cornerstones of our success. We understand that we’re all working toward the same goal. We work together to ensure premature babies in the NICU receive safe and nutritious donor human milk. It’s inspiring to see how our collective efforts contribute to the health and growth of these tiny patients. Despite our team’s size, we manage to create a significant positive impact on these infants and their families.

Before working at the Milk Bank, what was the most interesting job you’ve had?

During high school, I worked at Centre Island. The best part was taking the ferry to work every day, which was a unique experience. My duties included making funnel cakes and running the cotton candy machine. After our shifts, we were allowed to enjoy all the rides.

The Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank values the hard work and skill of everyone who helps supply hospitals with donor milk. The dedication, care and teamwork of team members like Jessica make a real difference for vulnerable infants and their families across Ontario and the East Coast.