Education and Outreach

Jen Walker and Mark Pepoy, Members of the Bereaved Parents of Madison Inc, with Edgewood College nursing students.
​(Fall 2015)

Bereaved Parents of Madison, Inc. is dedicated to community education and outreach to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss.  We strive to educate practicing care providers and care providers in training with our experiences to help them better serve families in the future. 

We provide education and outreach by providing panels of speakers to care givers in training, practicing professionals, and distributing printed materials to community providers. 

Contact Jenn, Outreach Chair at [email protected]
to schedule speakers!

Education for Future Care Providers

Parents from our group provide a unique opportunity for professionals in training to hear first hand how the care they received during their pregnancy and loss affected their journey through grief. Parents share their experiences as well as explain the resources that are available to families locally. The opportunity to hear the stories directly from our parents gives them a view into child loss and bereavement that cannot be captured in a text book. There is time for questions at the end of the presentation. 

Presented to:

• Madison Women's Health
• Generations Fertility Care
• Edgewood College of Nursing
• Madison College of Nursing
• Blackhawk Technical College of Nursing​

Tina Keller and Amy Owen, Members of the Bereaved Parents of Madison Inc, with Blackhawk Technical College nursing students. (Winter 2017)

Feedback from Edgewood College students.  

"This was an extremely beneficial presentation.  It was very hard but very useful for us so we know what to do in situations similar to this."

"It was definitely most helpful to hear personal stories from the parents, especially what helped them in the situation and what things did not."

"Really made me think about being sensitive with nursing"

"The pictures/items brought from home were very special to look at.  I respect the parents a lot for bringing those things in."

"Perinatal loss is a tough subject, and it was hard to really understand it when reading the textbook.  Listening to the parents' stories really made it so much easier to understand what this process is like for the parents, and what the most important things a nurse can do for the family.  I was very touched that they were willing to come and share their stories with us.  I also really appreciate hearing from both mothers and fathers - very powerful."

"I liked how each presenter shared their individual stories and what it was like prior, during and after losing their child.  I also liked how each individual added personal stories about nurses and how nurses helped them and touched their lives positively or negatively."

"This was very helpful to hear especially because most often when you think L&D you think happy deliveries and excitement but that is not true."

"Thank you to everyone for sharing their stories.  It left a lasting impression on me."

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Provider Outreach

Bereaved Parents of Madison, Inc Education & Outreach also provides parent panels to Madison clinics and other providers who support our families. We tailor the presentation to the time allotted, and include a condensed version of a parent panel, printed materials, and answer any questions they may have about how to care for our families.  

Feedback from Staff and Managers

"Thank you
THANK You
THANK YOU
Our staff is RAVING about your presentation today. I was so happy with the turn out and so thrilled that I actually had to cut short the time! It is so brave of you to share your stories. And so touching. It truly offered nurses, OR personnel, physicians and our Chaplain a new perspective. Thank you for your commitment and your dedication.
God bless you all!
Thanks, Gretchen S. Finley"
Gretchen Finley MBA, BSN, RNC, BA, C-EFM
Director, Maternity Services Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center Janesville & Mercy Walworth Hospital Lake Geneva

Presented to:

• Mercy Hospital Janesville

• Associated Physicians
• Unity Point Health Meriter Bereavement Staff
• SSM Health St Mary's Hospital MFM Department
• March of Dimes
• SSM Community Breakfast

Pregnancy Loss Forum 2016-8-24
Mercy Janesville 
Tina Keller, Rebecca Markert, Alli Ryan