Elevating the Unimaginable Experience: A Multidisciplinary Initiative to Improve Pediatric End-of-Life Care
Published September 1, 2020
Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS, Child Life Team Lead, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Anne Duplechain, MEd, Child Life Specialist, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Camille Fraser, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist II, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Maile Jones, MEd, CIMI, Graduate Research Contractor, Vanderbilt University
Katie Smith, Bereaved Parent Advisor, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Millions of children die each year – most of whom are touched by healthcare providers in traditional hospital settings or home-health agencies. This webinar reviews current findings on the experiences of bereaved families, positioned alongside institutional practices reported by healthcare providers, and first-person perspectives from a bereaved parent advisor. Participants will explore the development of a hospital-wide bereavement committee to implement and improve end-of-life services in a pediatric hospital i%MCEPASTEBIN%n collaboration with hospital leadership, front-line staff, bereaved parents, and community partners. Lastly, attendees will review the achievements of this committee while highlighting the importance of collaboration between bereaved families and providers to positively impact the patient experience.
Related content
-
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Engaging Children and Youth in Healthcare: A Developmental Approach
Published September 30, 2025
Current efforts to engage children and youth in hospital care lack a formal framework and engagement programs often rely solely on caregivers and guardians as proxies, overlooking their direct input. This presentation emphasizes the importance of involving children and youth directly in healthcare decisions, advocating for their lived experiences alongside those of caregivers. Attendees will
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
The Compassionate Care Canvas: A Vision for People-Centred Health
Published October 22, 2025
Shana Haberman Manager, People-Centred Care North York General At North York General (NYG), compassionate care is more than a value — it’s a culture, a practice, and a promise. As NYG launched its new 10-year strategy, grounded in the mission of People-Centred Care for a healthier community, the need to define compassionate care in a
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Beyond a Seat at the Table: Building the Infrastructure for True Patient and Family Partnership
Published February 25, 2026

Darcel Jackson, Manager, Patient and Family Centered Care Paige Warner, PFA Engagement Specialist Children’s National Hospital For years, patient and family engagement in healthcare has been framed as offering “a seat at the table.” While well-intended, that language often limits partnership to presence rather than influence. Our experience taught us that families don’t need a
Learn more