The Shira Ruskay Center

History of the Program

The idea for what would become the non-sectarian "Doula to Accompany and Comfort" program was born at the Shira Ruskay Center 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, birthed the "Doula to Accompany and Comfort" program at the Shira Ruskay Center of JBFCS.

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 2001, training sessions at our office have increased in frequency from one to three times a year.

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 supervise 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.

In 2004, staff began to assist communities to replicate the Doula to Accompany and Comfort Program outside of New York City.

In 2005, the Doula to Accompany and Comfort Program established the Doula Alliance to link Partner Agencies so that they may share experiences and learn from one another. Partner Agencies may apply to become Allied Service Providers. They are required to maintain program standards and use the Doula Allied Service Provider Logo on their program materials. They receive periodic e-newsletters which will enable members to share experiences and request information.

To learn about the Doula program contact Judith Kahn, MA, Director, 212-399-2685 x 220, jkahn@jbfcs.org

The Doula to Accompany and Comfort is a program of the Shira Ruskay Center

©2008 The Shira Ruskay Center
120 West 57th Street · New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 664-1632 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
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