Jessica Bridgman

Jessica Bridgman serves as Child Care and Communities Specialist at the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI) and Social Clinical Research Specialist within the Department of Maternal and Child Health at UNC's Gillings School of Global Public Health. Her work focuses on implementing breastfeeding-friendly child care practices through the ENRICH Carolinas initiative and supporting Early Care Educators.

Education:

• MPH in Human Nutrition, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2004)
• BA in Psychology, North Carolina State University (2002)
• Dietetics Internship, New York-Presbyterian Hospital (2005)
• Certificates in Adult/Childhood Weight Management (2007-2008)

Her research spans public health nutrition and clinical interventions, particularly in breastfeeding support systems and chronic disease management. Bridgman has led NIH-funded projects including the HEALTHY Study for Type 2 Diabetes prevention and R01 trials on end-of-life decision making for kidney disease patients. Her recent work adapts prenatal education for pandemic contexts while maintaining breastfeeding promotion standards.

Key contributions include coordinating the NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation and serving as external reviewer for USDA resources. Her publication trends show consistent focus on maternal-child health interventions (2023) transitioning to chronic disease management research (2014-2016), demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise bridging nutrition science and clinical outcomes.

Professional Activities:

• Project Manager for NIH R01 grants
• External reviewer for USDA resources
• Executive Committee, NC Division of Public Health Emerging Professionals (2018-2019)

Bridgman provides technical assistance on implementing the Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care through the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, collaborating with early childhood education professionals across North Carolina.