Mothers of Held Angels Partners with Houston Methodist Hospitals
As of Thursday, October 5th, all seven Houston Methodist Hospitals in the greater Houston area have officially partnered with Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA). MOHA provides bereavement tools and resources to hospitals and nursing staff. “MOHA's Angel Experience” is the standard of care that supports bereaved families in the hospital after the loss of a baby. Houston Methodist Hospitals and their bereavement staff have all received in-service training, a CuddleCot, Angel Box donations, and continue to receive on-going support services.
“Our dream is for our mission and standard of perinatal bereavement care to continue to grow far beyond the city of Houston,” states Hollyn Keith, Chief Financial Director of MOHA. Keith adds, “Perinatal bereavement care differs from hospital to hospital. Not every hospital has the resources available to maintain a bereavement team, or even a dedicated bereavement nurse.”
The tools that MOHA provides are undeniably important when a family goes through the unimaginable trauma of losing a baby. CuddleCots are cooling systems that allow babies who have passed to stay with the family while in the hospital by preserving their appearance. Without a CuddleCot, families do not have the opportunity to spend time with their babies and form important bonds with them while dealing with their loss.
The Angel Boxes that MOHA provides contain tools for bereaved mothers to create memories with her baby prior to discharge. The MOHA Angel Ambassador Program is a network of trained volunteers made up of fellow loss parents, who are available to hospitals, clinics, or birthing centers to provide direct support for mothers and families experiencing the loss of their baby.
“Every mom deserves the gift of time with their baby to bond and make memories, and to start the grieving process with all the tools and support she could possibly need,” states MOHA Vice President Anna Noto.
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is the seventh and final Houston Methodist Hospital within the system to receive MOHA’s “Angel Experience.” The organization reaching this goal was a way to shine light on October, as it is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
“Providing immediate day-of-loss resources and ongoing bereavement support to all Houston-Area childbirth centers is immensely important to the MOHA organization. As we draw near our second anniversary as an organization, knowing that all Houston Methodist hospitals can provide the same standard of bereavement care to every family of loss is a huge milestone”, says Brittany Kemp, president of Mothers of Held Angels.
On hand to receive the donated services and bereavement tools from Houston Methodist was Houston Methodist Willowbrook’s ACNO Makiltru Fontenette, Unit Director Sara Catalano, Unit Manager Tricia Wren, Chaplain Joy Cabrera, and Bereavement Committee Chair Elaine Webb.
To find support and learn how to comfort a loved one going through loss, visit www.mohanetwork.org. It is only through the support of donors that MOHA is able to provide CuddleCots, bereavement training, and “Angel Boxes”. For more information, contact Brittany Kemp, President, at hello@MOHAnetwork.org.
Source: MOHAN
