Jane's Room and Return to Zero: Hope Partner to Strengthen National Network of Perinatal Bereavement Coordinators
CHICAGO – Jane's Room, in partnership with Return to Zero: Hope, hosted a Day of Learning for perinatal bereavement coordinators at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago. Prentice Women’s Hospital is the home of the first Jane’s Room. The gathering brought together professionals from 9 hospitals across 4 states to strengthen systems of care for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.
Coordinators from AdventHealth Orlando, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Northwest Community Hospital, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Prentice, and Rush Medical Center participated in the event, which provided clinical education, opportunities for connection, and intentional space for reflection.
“I was truly energized to connect in person with colleagues who share my passion for helping loss families through such a vulnerable, uncertain time. Learning from others' experiences and hospital approaches was refreshing and deeply rewarding. I am so grateful to have been able to spend time with our Roundtable group in person that weekend!” said Katherine Hennelly, Clinical Coordinator OB Triage and Antepartum from Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital.
Perinatal bereavement coordinators serve as essential advocates within hospital systems, ensuring that families receive consistent, trauma-informed support following miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. These professionals coordinate care across departments, maintain institutional protocols, and provide direct support to bereaved parents during the most devastating moments of their lives.
In addition to clinical learning, the Day of Learning emphasized renewal and sustainability for staff who carry the emotional weight of this work. Research shows that professionals supporting bereaved families are at increased risk for compassion fatigue and secondary trauma. Creating intentional space to connect and recharge is essential to maintaining excellence in patient care.
"The coordinators who do this work hold space for profound grief every single day," said Dr. Kiley Hanish, Founder and Executive Director from RTZ. "Supporting them with education, community, and opportunities for restoration ensures they can continue providing the level of care that families desperately need during loss."
The partnership between Jane's Room and Return to Zero: Hope reflects a shared commitment to advancing the quality and accessibility of perinatal bereavement care across institutions. Both organizations work to ensure that hospital systems are equipped with the training, resources, and physical spaces necessary to honor the lives of babies gone too soon and to support families with compassion, dignity, and care throughout their grief journey.
Jane's Room expressed deep gratitude for the partnership with RTZ and for the growing community of professionals committed to strengthening perinatal bereavement care. As the network of trained coordinators expands, families nationwide benefit from more consistent, compassionate, and coordinated support after loss.
About Jane’s Room
Jane's Room is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing privacy and comfort to families experiencing pregnancy loss and infant death. Founded in memory of Jane, who was stillborn on January 24, 2012 at Northwestern, the organization creates respite rooms within hospitals where families can gather, grieve, and begin their healing journey together. Jane’s Room is guided by a commitment to compassion, community, transparency, and leadership in perinatal bereavement care. Learn more at janesroom.org.
About Return to Zero: Hope
Return to Zero: Hope (RTZ) is a national nonprofit organization providing holistic support for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss, including infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. Founded in 2005 following the stillbirth of baby Norbert and amplified through the 2014 film Return to Zero, RTZ offers virtual support groups, healing retreats, a national provider directory, and evidence-based training for healthcare professionals. Learn more at rtzhope.org
