​UPH Madison was eager to help us develop the HUGS program from the moment we brought it to the table. Families at UPH  opt-in to receive HUGS support. 

Unity Point Health Meriter
202 S Park Street 
Madison, WI 53715
Ashton
I’ve witnessed heartbreak as a nurse in the pediatric ICU, but I never truly understood what grieving families were going through until our first son, Deacon, was born prematurely and died after 3 weeks in the NICU. I am so grateful for all of the support I received from Mikayla's Grace, the hospital staff, friends, and family. Through the HUGS program, I want to reassure bereaved parents they are not alone and be a source of comfort and strength as they navigate this heartbreaking time. I hope to use my knowledge of the hospital environment and my own experience with having a baby in the NICU to help answer questions, be a comforting presence, and help bereaved parents find hope and courage.
Emily (On-Call Coordinator)
We have four children. Our son James was stillborn at 23 weeks, our daughter Josie was born and lived for 4 days in the NICU at 24 weeks before we had to make the devastating choice to let her go. Subsequently we adopted our daughters Luisa and Tessa, both at birth. Both of my pregnancies ended due to unexplained preterm labor. Connecting with parents who have experienced loss has been my saving grace as I grieve our children. After living through every parent’s worst nightmare twice, I hope to help guide newly bereaved parents through their time in the hospital and as they begin their journey through grief.  ​
Felica
My name is Felica Turner-Walton. I currently reside in Madison, Wisconsin, with my husband and youngest two children. I began my journey after the loss of my 4-month-old son Zaire Corvell on March 7, 2016. After attending numerous support groups, I soon realized that I did not have a safe space to grieve. After losing my son I decided I would devote my time to honor his life and support birthing parents in safely bringing new life into our world.
I am a Full Spectrum Doula, a Pregnancy Awareness Infant Loss Advocate, and a Certified Grief Educator. I am also the Executive Director of Healing Our Hearts Foundation, a Maternal and Infant Grief Support Organization. I also own All Things Phee, LLC where I offer Reiki and meditation healing along with doula service and education.
 Kellie (Hospital Site Coordinator)
In the summer of 2013 I was excited to learn we were expecting our first child. Unfortunately that pregnancy ended in early loss. The following year I became pregnant with our son Kenneth, but was devastated when that pregnancy unexpectedly ended in loss shy of 20 weeks. We learned from Kenneth's loss that I had a condition called cervical insufficiency and that my body simply couldn't hold him in. In the winter of 2015 my heart was guarded with this new pregnancy of my son Gabriel, but I felt hope that there was a medical plan in place where I could have a procedure done to keep Gabriel growing inside of me. A few weeks after a transvaginal cerclage was placed and some routine extra scans we were heartbroken to find that the procedure had not worked and my body had "failed again" to hold onto another healthy baby. My world and heart were completely shattered. I learned that there is no limit to how many times your heart can break...
We had some wonderful care and support by the nurses at the hospital, but after repeated loss I knew I needed to find a community of other loss moms. I then found BPOM and started attending support group. I felt validated and held being around other loss parents in being able to share our experience and feelings in a safe space. This is what I hope to give back to others in being a HUGS volunteer. I want others to know they are not alone and that there is love and light on the other side of the darkness. I have one rainbow wild child at home.
Megan
My first pregnancy ended at 10 weeks in June of 2014. My husband and I were completely devastated and blindsided. I was so lost and was thrown into a really dark place. In 2016 we were blessed with our first rainbow baby. In 2018 we were thrilled to be pregnant again, but at almost 16 weeks in June (again), we would relive another nightmare. An ultrasound would confirm, there was no heartbeat found. This time a medical procedure was necessary. I was devastated and traumatized. Our Lalia Jae was born in the stars. I know what it’s like to have lightning strike twice – I felt as though there was no escape. To grieve our two lost children has been a journey, but I’ve found comfort in sharing my story. By volunteering with the HUGS program, I will aim to provide a safe outlet and support system for parents navigating through this impossible experience no one should have to, but so many do.
Tanya
I have lost three babies. In 2010 I had an early miscarriage at home and lost my first baby Sam. Two years later my son Oren Jasper was stillborn at 38 weeks. One minute he just stopped moving. He probably died due to a cord prolapse but we don't really know. I was induced and gave birth to him two days later.  I was grateful for my wife and step-son's support and the photos and memory items I have of Oren. After he died I donated my breast milk to living babies in our community and found support from Bereaved Parents of Madison. As a former midwife I felt compelled to help other families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss and I quickly became involved in offering peer support. In 2014 I found out at 16 weeks that my daughter Miriam had died. I had a surgical procedure after that third loss, my final pregnancy. I hope I can help you with memory making and honoring your baby and your story.