ABOUT US
Sherokee Ilse, President
Sherokee brings 3 decades of experience to this new paradigm of care. As a bereaved parent herself, she has helped to bring much positive change to how bereaved parents are cared for through her tireless work. In the early years, she championed the new idea of seeing, holding, meeting, and parenting babies who had died, which was uncommon and misunderstood. As a trainer and advocate for peer support for newly bereaved for 30+ years, Sherokee and a team of dedicated professionals and parents created the first Baby Loss Doula certification program to help ensure that more parents worldwide would be given continuity of care and wise advice throughout their loss experience. More here Our Team of Experts and Advisors
Suzanne Helzer, RNC
Perinatal Loss Coordinator, Banner Desert Hospital, Phoenix RTS Coordinator, Trainer Childbirth Educator Support Group Leader Baby Loss Doula Trainer, Advisory Member 
Lori Martini
Bereaved Parent, Consultant, Trainer, Parent Advocate Creator - Healing From the Start Manual for Hospital Caregivers Certified Baby Loss Family Advisor and Trainer 
Jenna Petro
Founder, Journeys to Remember Bereaved Parent, Consultant, Parent Advocate Babies Remembered Consultant and Social Media Coordinator Baby Loss Family Advisor Candidate 
Sue Steen, RN, BSN, MS
Nursing instructor, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN Perinatal Nurse Navigator, Maple Grove Hospital Former Hospital Perinatal Loss Coordinator Birth Planner Certified Baby Loss Family Advisor and Trainer 
Laura Stutzman
Former Family Resource Coordinator, Memories to Hold Coordinator perinatal bereavement program coordinator at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for 20 years. CD (DONA) Birth Doula and Certified Loss Doula 
Penny Simkin
Author DONA Doula co-founder Childbirth Educator Birth Counselor and mentor of many 
Dawn Borchardt
Parent Advocate Founder/President of Nickolas' Gift, Loss Doula Trainer Bereaved Mother, Doula, Parent Advocate Speaker Peer Support Group Facilitator Baby Loss Doulas® was originally organized under Loss Doulas International, co-created by Dr. Pat Flynn and Sherokee Ilse. 
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MISSION
To teach, train, and assist Loss Advisors/Loss Doulas to offer compassionate, informed support to families facing the loss of a baby in miscarriage, stillbirth, or other infant death. WE BELIEVE All parents deserve to be offered compassionate and well-informed continuity of care, including support and navigation help as soon as possible from well-trained Loss Advisors™, also called Baby Loss Doulas® or Bereavement Doulas™. VISION Every mother,and her partner, should have access to a well-trained, nurturing Baby Loss Advisor/Loss Doula who gently support and wisely teachers and thoughtfully advocates for women/couples from the time of ther loss, thorugh the planning process, the birth, and afterwards. Also...Parents who receive bad news in pregnancy (death of baby or impending death) will:
HOW IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED When parents are told their baby has died, or has a fatal condition and will die, they will be given helpful support by staff and an immediate connection with a Baby Loss Family Advisor, with parents' permission. This Advisor can help parents navigate the early days, the birth, meeting the baby, saying goodbye, time at home, help with going back to work, and in the days to come, including during subsequent pregnancy, as desired by parents. Care is given in person, on the phone, or via email depending upon specific circumstances and the desires and realities of both the newly bereaved and the Independent Loss Advisor/Loss Doula. WHO ARE THE INDEPENDENT LOSS ADVISORS/LOSS DOULAS? Well-healed bereaved parents, birth professionals, mental health professionals, clergy, funeral staff, and others who understand baby losses and want to help. They participate in an intensive certification program and all have personal and/or professional experience with baby loss, also known as perinatal loss. Independent Advisors/Loss Doulas are well-prepared to give care in cooperation with staff from clinics, hospitals, funeral directors, churches, aong with childbirth educators, FIMR and public health professionals, and other medical professionals. Acting as advocates, guides, parent navigators, and care companions, these certified professionals want to help and give service. Some are able to offer their help for free (Donations are usually appreciated.) Others do this as a service of their profession. All appreciate feedback and testimonials if parents find the care helpful. |
