Larelle H. Bookhart

Larelle H. Bookhart, PhD, MPH, RD, IBCLC, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's Gillings School of Global Public Health, affiliated with the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute. Her research focuses on optimizing nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, healthcare system practices influencing early breastfeeding, and community-based maternal care worker collaboration.

• PhD in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Emory University (2021)
• MPH/RD in Nutrition and Dietetics, UNC Chapel Hill (2015)
• BSPH in Health Policy and Management, UNC Chapel Hill (2011)

Her research investigates in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding practices and collaborates with community-based workers to create clinical-to-community support systems. Current work includes co-leading the WIC Maternal Health Center to address maternal health warning signs.

Awards include the Delta Omega Honorary Society (2025), Maternal and Child Health Fellowship (2024), and Policy Engagement Fellowship (2024). Her work emphasizes translating evidence-based strategies into practice.

Labs/Initiatives: Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, WIC Maternal Health Center.