The Faces behind the Milk Bank: Meet Diet Technician Bianca

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Milk Bank? There are many moving parts, and we are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated group of individuals at the Milk Bank who keep the safe production of pasteurized donor human milk flowing. In this series, we shine the spotlight on one of our incredible Milk Bank team members.

Meet Bianca – another one of our diet technicians at the Milk Bank. Milk Bank diet technicians are responsible for a range of tasks, including conducting temperature and identification checks on incoming milk donations, collecting and testing breastmilk samples, and pooling, bottling and pasteurizing this precious commodity for the smallest and most vulnerable hospitalized infants. Each step is critical to the overall processing of human donor milk.

We spoke with Bianca to learn more about what it means to be a diet technician at the Milk Bank, and what led her to pursue a career in this field.

1. What do you enjoy most about working in this role?

We have a great team! I like the fact that I’m able to learn something new each day, and the most important thing for me is knowing that we are helping to save babies in neonatal intensive care units across Ontario and in Eastern Canada.

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

I’m passionate about nutrition and providing care. For me, bringing quality of life to people through food is the best combination, and that made me want to become a diet technician.

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

Being part of a system that was able to reach many hospitals across Canada has made me very proud. Also, receiving milk from our kind donors. When we know that babies are being fed with precious milk from our donors, it’s rewarding!

4. What is the most important lesson that you’ve learned from working in this role?

That each day is different, no matter how much you already know. We are part of a great team and we depend on each other to perform our day-to-day tasks with the highest quality.

5. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love traveling and hiking with my family, running and cycling.