CHRISTINA BALDUF, MSHS CLC
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Postpartum doula and lactation counselor with a master's degree in Health Sciences (in progress toward a second master's in Education) and more than a decade of experience teaching childbirth, breastfeeding, newborn care, and family wellness to diverse populations. Combines IBCLC-pathway lactation training, hands-on postpartum doula experience, and a strong record of adult/community education to deliver individualized, trauma-informed care education that meets each family where they are.
CERTIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS
• Traditional Health Worker (THW) Certified Doula — anticipated by end of 2026
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), 2016
• Certified Lactation Educator, Foundation4Milk, 2015
• IBCLC Pathway Three Apprentice, under Dr. Jimi Francis, 2014–2015
• Trauma-Informed Care Training, 2018
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Postpartum Doula & Lactation Specialist — Austin Doula Care, Austin, TX Oct 2022 – May 2026
• Provided in-home education and support to birthing families, including childbirth and postpartum education, caregiver respite, and hands-on infant care instruction.
• Served as lead instructor for Newborn Care classes for expecting and new families.
• Acted as expert-in-residence for lactation counseling and peer-to-peer skill sharing on developmentally appropriate infant feeding best practices.
• Consistently recognized in client feedback as an emotionally intelligent, trauma-informed, client-centered educator.
Postpartum Doula — Atx Doulas, Austin, TXFeb 2022 – Oct 2022
• Delivered in-home education and hands-on support to birthing families during the early postpartum period.
• Served as expert lactation educator in residence; built strong client referral relationships.
Research & Teaching Assistant, Maternal-Infant Health — UT Tyler College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Tyler, TX Aug 2014 – Dec 2015
• Supported maternal/infant health research under Dr. Jimi Francis, focused on infant feeding and optimizing nutritional status across the lifespan.
• Lead developer of a community breastfeeding peer-support intervention; secured IRB approval for original research on barriers to responsive feeding among exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant dyads.
• Findings contributed to a community perinatal education intervention later published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Adjunct Professor, Community & Public Health — University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX Jan 2015 – May 2020
• Teacher of record for undergraduate and graduate public health courses, including community/population health, epidemiology, and health program planning and evaluation.
• Designed and delivered curricula geared toward diverse adult learners across health professions programs.
Nutrition Education / SNAP-Ed Coordinator — East Texas Food Bank, Tyler, TX Nov 2016 – Feb 2018
• Managed community nutrition education programming across a 23-county region, partnering with clinics, schools, and food pantries.
• Taught national curricula including Cooking Matters, Learn Grow Eat Go, and Garden Club; founding member of the Smith County Food Insecurity Council.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Testing Coordinator, Idea Public Schools (2021) — Facilitated state testing for 6th,7th, 8th grade. Community Coalitions Partnership Coordinator, Next Step Community Solutions (2018) — youth substance-use prevention programming. Academic Advisor, UT Tyler Health Sciences (2016) — student advising and orientation instruction. Biology Lab Specialist, Tyler Junior College (2006–2014) — allied health laboratory instruction. Emergency Room Scribe, Trinity Mother Frances (2010). Medical Assistant, Flower Mound Pediatrics (2003).
EDUCATION
Master of Health Sciences — University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX Dec 2015
Focus: Community Health, Nutrition, Sexual Health
Master of Education (M.Ed.) — University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX (In Progress)
Bachelor of Arts, Biology (cum laude) — University of North Texas, Denton, TX Dec 2004
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Adult/Infant CPR/First Aid (2022)•Community Herbalism (2020) • Trauma-Informed Care (2018) • Mental Health First Aid (2018)•Community Nutritionist Training (2017) • Certified Health Education Specialist (2016)