The Shira Ruskay Center

History of the Program

The idea for what would become the non-sectarian "Doula to Accompany and Comfort" program was initiated at the Shira Ruskay Center of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Inc. (JBFCS) in New York City — at a sponsored conference on "End-of-Life Issues and Care" in 1998. Dr. Sherwin Nuland spoke of the Yiddish and Hebrew word for funeral, levaya, which literally means to accompany. During his discussion, Dr. Nuland emphasized the importance of accompanying seriously ill patients through the dying process. A conference attendee, Phyllis Farley, suggested that well-prepared volunteers could make a significant difference to those who would otherwise be alone at life’s end. Her suggestion, as well as her assistance in obtaining funding for the pilot program, created the "Doula to Accompany and Comfort" program of JBFCS.

The volunteers were called "Doulas", using the analogy of companions for women in childbirth. There are similarities between the sensitive care required at birth and approaching death. Doula is the Greek word for servant. The term "End-Of-Life Doula" has come to be used generically in recent years, for people who are compassionate companions for people at the end of life.

In October 2000, a pilot program was launched as a collaboration between the Shira Ruskay Center and the NYU Medical Center. The pilot demonstrated that Doulas provide significant comfort to dying patients and often to family members who need support. Patients and families appreciated the emotional comfort, practical assistance and respite provided by the Doulas. Following successful completion of the pilot, the program obtained funding to continue and expand.

Since inception, the program has tried to be very flexible in addressing the needs it identifies. With more than 350 volunteers trained since 2000, Doulas now provide service in all settings, with a strong focus on those isolated at home. The program solicits and receives referrals from area hospitals, outpatient care and palliative care units, nursing homes, community based agencies, religious organizations, family members and friends. Approximately 65 Doulas are on active rotation at any given time.

The program is known for its extended one-on-one relationships between volunteer and client. It is not a medically-based program, nor is it a hospice program. Clients who are receiving hospice care are sometimes served, but the program is broader, with a guideline of serving those in the last 18 months of life.

In 2007 the program began actively recruiting and training Spanish speaking volunteers to meet the needs of the Latino community.

In 2008, in response to staff requests at hospital palliative care units, pilot programs were begun at Mt. Sinai Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital to provide inpatient Doulas for isolated, seriously ill and dying patients. Several Doulas are volunteering in shifts of 2-4 hours, visiting several patients at each visit. This program has expanded to palliative care in other area hospitals.

Starting in 2004, the program provided training for volunteers and staff members at institutions that wished to recruit and supervise their own volunteers. These facilities wanted to have a significantly larger contingent of Doulas to serve their patients. They recruited Doula volunteers from their own communities. The Doula to Accompany and Comfort program trained the Doulas and staff members, and provided two follow-up Doula meetings. Each institution assumed the responsibility to place and supervises its own Doulas. These agencies include Isabella Geriatric Center, Brookdale Hospital, North Shore University Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, Terrence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center, Beth Abraham Hospital, and Jewish Home and Hospital — Kingsbridge Division, and Montefiore Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit.

In 2004, staff began to assist communities to replicate the Doula to Accompany and Comfort Program outside of New York City. Metropolitan Washington D.C; Sarasota, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and Houston, Texas are some of the communities that now have Doula programs.

In response to requests from healthcare professionals to attend the Doula training for continuing education, workshops on Working with Client’s at the End-Of-Life were offered beginning in 2009. Due to the excellent response, additional workshops and courses for professionals will be offered in 2009/2010.

Harriet Feiner retired as Director at the end of 2007, and remained a consultant until June 2009. Amy Levine is the current Director.

The Doula program has been philanthropically funded since inception. The Doula staff works to identify new sources of funding both through foundations and individuals on an ongoing basis.

©2010 The Shira Ruskay Center
135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor · New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-4608 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
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