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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Washington Township High School students in Mrs. Jackie Bradford’s Prenatal Development class were honored to have Mrs. Ann Coyle visit the class on Monday, April 24, 2017. Coyle is Manager of Perinatal Bereavement Programs at Virtua Hospital Voorhees and spoke to the class about her program for bereaved parents.
Coyle is a recipient of the Johnson & Johnson Amazing Nurse Award, making her a CNN Hero. In class, she discussed her career and the unique program she created – the Perinatal Bereavement Program – to help grieving parents cope with their loss. Program goals include:
- Offering infant bereavement support for parents who are patients at Virtua and other hospitals in the community;
- Facilitating education and sensitivity training for Virtua healthcare teams and other regional healthcare providers who may have contact with a family who experiences loss;
- Implementing guidelines of the Autumn Joy Stillbirth Research and Dignity Act, a new state legislation; and
- Developing a Perinatal Palliative Program that will support parents with infants diagnosed with “life-limiting” conditions.
Coyle also helped created the “Angel Garden” at Virtua, which is a peaceful outdoor sanctuary where parents of deceased infants can go to honor the short lives of their children.
In the photo above, Ann Coyle, Manager of Perinatal Bereavement Programs at Virtua Hospital Voorhees, shows students an “angel gown,” which are baby outfits made from old wedding dresses.
WTHS Welcomes "Amazing" Nurse
Virtua Voorhees Nurse, Creator of Angel Garden Speaks to Washington Township High School Prenatal Development Class
Coyle is a recipient of the Johnson & Johnson Amazing Nurse Award, making her a CNN Hero. In class, she discussed her career and the unique program she created – the Perinatal Bereavement Program – to help grieving parents cope with their loss. Program goals include:
- Offering infant bereavement support for parents who are patients at Virtua and other hospitals in the community;
- Facilitating education and sensitivity training for Virtua healthcare teams and other regional healthcare providers who may have contact with a family who experiences loss;
- Implementing guidelines of the Autumn Joy Stillbirth Research and Dignity Act, a new state legislation; and
- Developing a Perinatal Palliative Program that will support parents with infants diagnosed with “life-limiting” conditions.
Coyle also helped created the “Angel Garden” at Virtua, which is a peaceful outdoor sanctuary where parents of deceased infants can go to honor the short lives of their children.
In the photo above, Ann Coyle, Manager of Perinatal Bereavement Programs at Virtua Hospital Voorhees, shows students an “angel gown,” which are baby outfits made from old wedding dresses.
-WTPS -