Honored to Serve

by Sandra L. Place, president of the board of trustees

By Sandra L. Place, president of the board of trustees

Dear Community,

I am honored to introduce myself today as the new president of the INELDA board of trustees. I was asked to serve last month and accepted the position on December 22, 2021. My past board experience includes three other not-for-profit organizations, two hospital systems, and a medical care facility. I have also served for two and a half years on the INELDA board. Additionally, I serve on the hospice board for the Henry Ford Health System hospital system in Jackson, Michigan. I have a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life for our elders to include end-of-life support and care along the healthcare continuum in hospital, rehabilitation, long-term acute care hospitals, and post-acute care settings.

I was trained as a doula in 2015 by Henry Fersko-Weiss and Janie Rakow. I took a novel approach and adapted the doula program for nursing homes by developing an integrated program to work with existing staff trained as doulas. I have been a national advocate, educator, and presenter on the role of doulas in our existing healthcare system. I have been committed to INELDA and its vast expertise in the field since I was initially trained.

I will be serving with my esteemed colleagues, Oscar Cohen, who has a doctorate in administration and has served as a teacher and superintendent to the deaf community for decades; Pastor Corey Kennard, who has led a spiritual care team at one of Detroit’s largest hospitals and serves on the national advisory board for the Hospice Foundation of America and is co-director of a community faith advance care planning project for the University of Virginia; and Kris Kingston-Barker, who served as executive director for Hospice of San Luis Obispo for a decade, has a practice focused on MAiD clients, and is a volunteer with the California Men’s Colony Hospice Program. Henry will continue to serve as a board member emeritus. I also am excited to work with Doug Simpson, our new CEO.

I am very much looking forward during my tenure to:

• Getting to know all INELDA’s superlative trainers, contractors, and employees
• Sweeping the globe with the love and support that doulas bring, and to learning from other cultures and incorporating these diverse learnings into who we are and how we do things
• Activating the guidance and insight of our advisory councils to aid us in expansive thinking, which will aid our growth in diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice for all those we serve, teach, and support
• Adding additional board members with varied experience and diverse perspectives
• Communicating and exchanging ideas with other doula groups and individuals—please contact me at [email protected]
• Touching more individuals around the globe with the grace, peace, and understanding that supports our work and our commitment

May the new year bless you and yours.

May you be fearless in your commitment.

May you be enveloped in the love and strength that grows in the doing of this good work.

May we grow together.

 

Sandra L. Place

President of the Board of Trustees

INELDA