Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Pontell.
Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into breastfeeding medicine began in a very personal place — the birth of my first son at the end of my pediatric residency. Despite years of medical training, I quickly discovered how many practical gaps I had when it came to breastfeeding. What types of breast pumps are out there? How do you measure a flange? When do you start pumping, and how often? Does diet matter? Where do you even begin with nursing positions?
I was fortunate that both of my sons were born healthy and full term, and that I had access to knowledgeable mentors and a strong support network to guide me through my own breastfeeding journey. But through caring for my own patients, I came to understand how rare that kind of support truly is. So many women navigate their infant feeding goals largely alone — contending with premature birth, medical complexities, mental health challenges, and the relentless demands of work and family life all at once.
Those experiences lit something in me. I realized there is so much to learn, share, and offer in this space — from the very first latch to the squirmy, curious toddler. I earned my International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification in 2023, and I am now working toward a second medical board certification through the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (NAABLM), joining an emerging community of physicians with advanced expertise in this field.
Founded in 2025, The Dyad Health Collective was built to bridge a gap in peripartum care — offering physician-level breastfeeding and lactation medicine consulting in the greater Nashville area, with both in-home and virtual visit options. It has been a long road to get here, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a perfectly smooth road — but it has been a meaningful one! My husband and I are both physicians, and like many dual-physician couples, we have moved around quite a bit and are now raising two young boys, ages four and eight. Without immediate family nearby, juggling our careers and family life is an ongoing balancing act.
My husband is a Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon, which means long and sometimes unpredictable hours — but I am incredibly proud of him and the difference he makes in so many patients’ lives. One unexpected joy of this season of our careers is how much clinical overlap we now share. Getting to collaborate and think through cases together has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and something I never quite anticipated.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am currently the only Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Physician providing outpatient services in the Middle Tennessee area — and I am incredibly proud to be filling that gap in care.
As a breastfeeding medicine physician, I hold both an MD and IBCLC certification, and I am also a board-certified pediatrician with many years of experience in pediatric primary care. This unique combination allows me to address more complex lactation and infant feeding needs, including lactation induction for parents expecting through surrogacy or adoption, infants with complex medical challenges such as prematurity or craniofacial differences, and maternal concerns such as recurrent mastitis, low or excess milk production, a history of breast surgery, or other medical conditions that may complicate the breastfeeding journey.
What sets The Dyad Health Collective apart is the depth of clinical expertise behind every visit — paired with a genuine commitment to meeting families where they are. Along the way, I’ve had the joy of connecting with so many wonderful individuals and businesses in this space, and I’m excited to continue building those collaborations.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to meeting parents where they are. My goal is always to help families develop a realistic infant feeding plan that fits their stage of life, their own self-care needs, and their priorities as a family — and that doesn’t always mean exclusive breastfeeding, and that’s okay.
I am here to provide access to knowledge, support, and guidance so that every parent feels truly equipped to make the best decision for their child. Most importantly, I want my patients to feel genuinely cared for during the vulnerable postpartum period — with absolutely zero fear of judgment.
Pricing:
- Virtual Visits starting at $225
- In-Home Visits starting at $350
- Lactation Induction Monthly Plans available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dyadhealthcollective.com
- Instagram: @dyadhealthcollective
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-pontell-32129645
