TriStar Hendersonville to provide added resources for families coping with infant loss

Hendersonville, TN – The Birth Center at TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center announced today the addition of a comprehensive and compassionate bereavement education program for families experiencing infant loss. The hospital is partnering with Rachel’s Gift, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2008, to provide resources to assist hospital staff in caring for families coping with the loss of an infant due to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. Families will also receive supportive follow-up care, support group access and connections with local, regional and national resources.

The program’s mission hits close to home for Leslie McClendon, Manager of the Nursery and NICU at the Birth Center. “Knowing first-hand as a mother who suffered the loss of an infant, I am passionate about offering this program for our grieving families,” said McClendon, BSN, RNC-NIC.NTMNC. Her personal experiences have shaped her approach to help her better support those who have shared the same grief she has as a mother.

“Several of our staff attended the Rachel’s Gift training program at one of our sister facilities and came back with the mission to implement the program here,” said McClendon. “Our bereavement committee will provide ongoing training to our staff to continue offering compassionate support to our families during an incomprehensible loss.”

TriStar Hendersonville will be the third hospital in the state of Tennessee to offer this compassionate program to families.

Photo: Leslie McClendon, Manager of Nursery/NICU at the Birth Center at TriStar Hendersonville