We recently connected with Domenica Van Dyke and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Domenica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

When I was 16 and throughout high school and college, I worked as a health research intern at the National Institutes of Health. My laboratory team and I studied the pathology of Spongiform Encephalopathies, more commonly referred to as Mad Cow Disease. This is where I developed my interest in the sciences and subsequent career in healthcare.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a nurse and Head of Clinical Operations at The Natural Nipple . My experience includes National Institutes of Health research, primary care and population health management with both providers and payers as well as Clinical Operations Management. At The Natural Nipple we are solving a critical gap in industry for hospitals by reducing free flow drip rate, consult, and length of stay costs with seamless, stress-free breast and bottle feeding, with the only infant feeding system that is researched and designed to mimic a mother’s shape, feel, and flow. After Johnson and Johnson evaluated our IP that won their clinical innovation award & investment, we have achieved significant reduction in latching frustration & colic.

Within my Company, I drive product awareness with clinical partners and grow revenue with B2B relationships. I am also responsible for providing clinical product support to clients and managing company operations and productivity. Helping our clinical partners, babies and their parents is truly my passion!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the Fall of 2019 after much deliberation and with the encouragement of my colleagues, I decided to leave the 9-5 Corporate world and venture out on my own doing what I know best, practice management consulting. It was one of the scariest and biggest decisions I’ve made to date. Shortly thereafter the Covid-19 pandemic hit and my consulting work slowed down significantly. I had to learn how to pivot with remote working and networking and push forward. Fortunately, I don’t give up easily and face challenges head on. I learned from the obstacles I faced from this pandemic and learned to adapt accordingly. I like to think of challenges as opportunities.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I typically listen to healthcare related podcasts a few days a week. They may range from nursing education to stories about women in leadership roles to help me keep up with relevant topics in my field. The Natural Nipple also hosts and often is invited to speak on Partner podcasts, so it’s a given that I enjoy listening to and participating in these episodes.

Separately, my colleagues and I recently started reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin which has helped me with making small, easy changes in my every day life in order to increase my happiness level. Happiness truly is an inside job.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thenaturalnipple.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaturalnipple/channel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prolongingbreastfeeding/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenicavandyke/