Course Description:
This accredited foundational course builds compassionate, trauma- and grief-informed communication skills for healthcare providers supporting families through perinatal loss. Participants will strengthen self-awareness and emotional preparedness, learn evidence-informed communication techniques that foster trust and collaboration, and apply structured approaches to care conferences and difficult conversations. Emphasis is placed on empathy, cultural responsiveness, therapeutic presence, and practical language that supports families across critical moments of care. Through reflection and applied strategies, learners will build confidence in communicating with clarity, compassion, and intention.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common emotional responses experienced by providers and families during perinatal loss and apply grounding strategies to enter encounters with self-awareness.
2. Demonstrate communication techniques that foster trust, understanding, and collaboration with families.
3. Apply a structured approach to care conferences that supports shared understanding, informed decision-making, and compassionate delivery of difficult news.
Lessons:
1. Centering Ourselves - Provider Awareness and Emotional Preparedness
2. Foundations of Compassionate Communication
3. Leading Compassionate Care Conferences
Certificate:
By completing and passing this course, you will attain the certificate Compassionate Communication in Perinatal Loss Care.
Learning Credits:
Continuing Education Units 1.0
Presenter Bio:
Jill Kottmeier, RN & Thanatologist, has dedicated her career to providing compassionate bereavement care and crisis response to patients, families and staff. While focusing on palliative and bereavement care within the perinatal realm, Jill has walked alongside families during their most heart wrenching moments. Her ultimate goal is to create a safe space for all people that are grieving. Recognizing the profound impact of death and trauma on both patients and healthcare workers, co-founded the first crisis response team at Northwest Community Hospital, which now serves the entire Endeavor Health System. Jill’s story showcases not only her professional achievements but also her compassion and commitment to the holistic wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers she supports. Her expertise in thanatology further enriches her ability to provide nuanced and comprehensive support to those navigating the complexities of grief and loss.
Teaching Method: Virtual On-Demand
