With a focus on maximizing the quality of life for every child in our care, we are privileged to offer a wide range of pediatric services to families throughout Michigan. The Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, funded through a generous gift from the Samuel & Jean Frankel Foundation includes the Compass Support Services, the James B. Fahner MD Pediatric Hospice Program and our Perinatal Program.
Compass Support Services
Compass Support Services provides experienced pediatric social workers to provide emotional, social and decision-making support for the child, parents and siblings, connecting them with specialized community resources to assist with financial, emotional, social, legal and other needs. Compass is a way for families of children with complex, chronic illnesses to access community programs to make their lives less stressful. It is funded entirely through private donations.
James B. Fahner MD Pediatric Hospice Program
First offered in West Michigan in 1995, the James B. Fahner MD Pediatric Hospice program is now available to families throughout the state, providing an experienced team of pediatric-trained staff to care for terminally ill children and their families. The program offers comfort care, nursing, spiritual care, emotional support and grief support.
The Anchors Perinatal Program provides emotional, social and clinical support to expectant parents as they anticipate and prepare for the birth of their child while also grieving the anticipated loss of the child during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after. The program also assists parents with birth planning during this most difficult time.
Center for Pediatric Research and Education
Housed within the Arbor Hospice Institute, the Center for Pediatric Research and Education provides ongoing program development, training, education and research focusing on pediatric patients with chronic, complex, and life limiting illness.
A personal story
Below, Heather and Matt Mekkes remember their daughter, Bailey, and “the journey that no one wants to take.”
Our Pediatric Team:
James B. Fahner, MD – Founder,
Pediatric Medical Director, James B. Fahner MD Pediatric Hospice Program
Kenneth Pituch, MD – Pediatric Medical Director
Patricia Keefer, MD – Pediatric Medical Director, Southeast
Elizabeth Rocha, RN, BSN, CHPPN – Director, Pediatrics
Chantal Curell, RN, BSN, CPN – Pediatric Nurse, West
Kerrie DeYoung, RN, Pediatric Nurse, West
Sheila Schindler, LMSW – Social Worker, West
Rebecca Urbanski, LLMSW – Social Worker, West
Cheryl Lamport, D.Min, MA, BCC – Spiritual Care Advisor, West
Rhonda Palmer, RN, BSN – Operations Manager – Pediatrics, Southeast
Teresa Alexander, RN – Pediatric Case Manager, Southeast
Ashley Blaser, RN – Pediatric Nurse, Southeast
Nicolette Kowal, RN – Pediatric Nurse, Southeast
Tara Derby, LMSW – Social Worker, Southeast; Asst Operations Mgr, Compass
Elizabeth Arthur, LLMSW – Social Worker, Southeast
Aimee Monticello, LMSW – Social Worker, Southeast
Beth Foster, D.Min, BCC – Spiritual Care Coordinator, Southeast
Dr. James Fahner (left) and Dr. Ken Pituch
Pediatric Bereavement Services
Focused on each family’s individual needs, our pediatric hospice team offers bereavement services at no charge to patients who have been served by any of our pediatric programs. We can also speak to schools, places of worship and community organizations supporting children and families experiencing loss or interested in learning more about pediatric hospice services.
Further Reading
We have a series of brochures focused on helping children and young adults who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. Please contact us at 1-888-992-2273 for ordering information. Additional resources may be found online, such as this article from Still Standing, a website for parents who have suffered the loss of a child.
Patient and Family Rights and Responsibilities
Hospices are required to provide information regarding the rights and responsibilities of patients/families and the hospice that is caring for the patient. Click here to download a PDF version.
For more information or to make a referral, call 1-888-247-5704. To make a donation to the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, or to learn about other giving opportunities, please click here.