Employee Profile: Shaina Starks-Solis, Production Manager
At Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas, a lot happens from the moment donor milk arrives, to the time it nourishes premature and critically ill babies. Production Manager, Shaina Starks-Solis, supervises this vital process. Upon delivery, milk is electronically logged and barcoded and stored in holding freezers. The lab pasteurizes and tests the milk according to national scientific guidelines and standards before it is packaged and dispensed to both hospitals and fragile babies at home.
Always an integral part of day-to day operations, Shaina initially began working in the lab assisting with the pasteurization process in 2010. Her time as Pasteurization Supervisor led to her current role as Production Manager.
Shaina wears many hats at the milk bank. A typical day starts with checking in with the lab, overseeing milk processing, analyzing milk nutritional and caloric content and finally, approving milk for dispensing. In addition to supervising the flow of donor milk coming in and going out, she also provides facility tours and milk bank education presentations. Shaina’s informative, yet approachable style educates nursing students, lactation care providers, donor moms and various members of the local community.
When asked about her favorite part of her job, Shaina explains, “I really love talking to recipient families and seeing how grateful they are for what our donors are doing to improve the health of their babies. I have the unique opportunity to witness the daily transition of donor milk to babies in need.”
Shaina is looking forward to the birth of her first child in April. She lives with her husband, Juan and 12 year-old stepson, Alex. Weekends are spent riding her bike, gardening and enjoying living in the same neighborhood as the milk bank, off Fort Worth’s revitalized Magnolia Avenue. Her plans for the future include going back to school for a degree in Community Health.