AMITA Health “Still Missed” Program Helps Families Coping with Pregnancy Loss

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 marks the 29th annual Still Missed Memorial Service, hosted by AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale at 7:00 p.m. at Hinsdale United Methodist Church, 945 S. Garfield Avenue, Hinsdale. 

Each year, families who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or shortly after birth are invited to the event to commemorate their child and gather with other families who have had a similar experience.  

The theme of this year's event, "Love Lives on Forever," embodies the spirit of the Still Missed Program at AMITA Health Hinsdale, a group of services that support families from the time of the loss to many years later in some cases.

The intergenerational ecumenical service is held in October in recognition of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and includes music, special readings and a message of hope for parents. Siblings are welcome, as part of the service includes a children's story and activity. Families then receive a commemorative dove with the name of their child and a white rose as mementos. Refreshments are served afterwards, and Still Missed staff members and volunteers are on-hand to speak with parents.

"These families really appreciate a night every year to honor their babies," said Rosmarie Roose, RNC, MSN, clinical coordinator of the Still Missed Program and obstetrics nurse navigator for AMITA Health Hinsdale's Maternal Fetal Medicine Center. "People want to talk about their experience and feel part of a community. For 30 years, we've helped families cope with the loss of a child, whether or not they have been our patients."

The memorial service is open to any family that has experienced such loss, but reservations are suggested so that doves can be prepared for each. Individuals are invited to RSVP to 630-856-4497. 

The Still Missed Program offers specially trained nursing care, bedside chaplain counsel, an annual graveside service for those who have lost a child before 20 weeks, support groups, a resource library, internet support and special events including a garden walk/planting during the summer. 

Roose reports that over 100 parents, grandparents and others give back to the program, whether through fundraisers; providing supplies; crafting hats, booties and blankets; by participating in support groups and special events; or by providing support as a trained peer parent.

A parent support group meets the second Monday of each month in the Tupper Hall Building, 119 North Oak Street, Hinsdale, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

A Subsequent Pregnancy After Loss support group meets on the third Monday of each month, also in the Tupper Hall Building, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In addition, there are quarterly Spanish-speaking and grandparent/family support groups available.  

Families are also invited to participate on Facebook on the Still Missed, public or private, page <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/stillmissed">www.facebook.com/stillmissed</a>.

For more information, contact the Still Missed Program at 630-856-4497 or email stillmissed@amitahealth.org.

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About AMITA Health
AMITA Health (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.AMITAhealth.org">www.AMITAhealth.org</a>) is a joint operating company formed by Adventist Midwest Health, part of the Adventist Health System in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and Alexian Brothers Health System, a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Ascension. Headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, AMITA Health is the third-largest health system in the state, encompassing nine hospitals and an extensive physician provider network of more than 3,000 physicians. AMITA Health's mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus by delivering the most efficient, highest quality, faith-based care possible.