Hancock Health Opens Milk Express Site in Partnership with The Milk Bank to Expand Access to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

Hancock Health is expanding access to lifesaving pasteurized donor human milk by opening a new Milk Express site, in partnership with The Milk Bank, at their Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield, IN.

The Milk Express site is now open to the public, and a grand opening event will be taking place on April 22, 2025 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Andis Women’s + Children’s Unit at Hancock Regional Hospital. Milk Express sites are convenient, community-based locations where families can pick up their order of Pasteurized Donor Human Milk. Quick access to safe donor milk gives parents peace of mind when it is needed as a medical treatment, to bridge a gap early in postpartum, or to help meet breastfeeding goals.

“The entire Hancock Health team is committed to making health possible for all of East Central Indiana and our littlest patients are no exception. Our team of providers, nurses, lactation consultants, and associates that support our Andis Women’s + Children’s unit ensure all babies, and their mothers, have the safest and best introduction into their brand-new world. Through our collaboration with The Milk Bank as a Milk Depot and now a Milk Express location, we can help even more families with convenient access to the life-saving benefits of pasteurized, donor human milk right here in Hancock County,” said Hancock Health President and CEO Steve Long.

The Milk Express site is located at the Lactation Office at Hancock Regional Hospital. Anyone interested in purchasing milk should visit themilkbank.org/request-milk-families to complete an intake form. Orders can be picked up Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Please call to schedule an appointment for pick up by calling the Lactation Office at 317-468-4397 or the Andis Women’s Unit at 317-468-4485.

“We are incredibly grateful to Hancock Health for their commitment to serving infants, mothers, and families throughout the region. By expanding access to Pasteurized Donor Human Milk, they are championing infant health and ensuring families have access to safe donor milk when needed,” said Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank.

Hancock Health is passionate about the health of mothers and babies in Hancock County. They first established a partnership with The Milk Bank in 2018 with the opening of their Milk Depot, which offers a convenient place for approved milk donors to donate their extra breast milk. All milk is sent to The Milk Bank to test, analyze, and pasteurize before dispensing to hospitals and outpatient families.

Over the course of its seven years, Hancock Health’s Milk Depot has received 33,449 ounces of donated milk, which has supplied more than 100,000 feedings to fragile infants in the NICU. Hancock Health’s commitment to maternal and infant health has been recognized multiple times. Not only is Hancock Regional Hospital one of the only Milk Depots east of Indianapolis, but Hancock Health has also earned the coveted baby-friendly designation, along with the Leapfrog Hospital Safety A Grade. For more information on how to place an order for Pasteurized Donor Human Milk or become an approved milk donor, please contact The Milk Bank at 317-536-1670 or visit themilkbank.org.

Hancock Health is an independent, full-service healthcare network serving East Central Indiana. A proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Hancock Health has been nationally recognized for outstanding clinical outcomes by The Leapfrog Group and the Lown Institute. The network includes Hancock Regional Hospital and Hancock Physician Network; and more than 30 other facilities, such as: wellness centers, women’s clinics, family practices, the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center, and Gateway Hancock Health. In addition to our membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, we offer enhanced patient care through our relationships with Suburban Health Organization, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, and the Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center.

The Milk Bank is a non-profit tissue bank dispensing more than 600,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the region every year. The Milk Bank improves health outcomes for premature and ill infants, fosters better health for children, and decreases health care costs. The Milk Bank follows the strictest safety standards informed by the CDC and FDA and is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). Visit themilkbank.org to learn more.