Grief In Healthcare

As a healthcare provider of more than 20 years, I know firsthand how deeply this work shapes us. No one walks away unchanged. We pour our heart, our soul, and often our physical wellbeing into caring for others.

During my years as a paramedic, I watched coworkers—people I admired, people with enormous compassion—become irrevocably changed by what we experienced. Some never made it home. It still breaks my heart, the world lost incredible souls. We lost some suddenly, death by suicide and some we lost slowly, as the coping strategies that once helped them eventually caught up with them. Those experiences influenced my path into social work.

I truly believe we can and HAVE to do better—for ourselves and for each other. Every healthcare professional, whether a paramedic, other frontline first responder, nurse, doctor, allied health provider, or healthcare aide, carries unique burdens. We all entered this field because we care deeply. And the question isn’t if we will encounter a difficult call or moment that shakes us, but when.

I struggled with my own mental health challenges and was not supported well by my employer. During those moments of shame and doubt, I was blessed to have a lot of supports but also felt lost at times.

My hope is to help prepare and support you for those times—to make sure you have tools, connection, and a safe space when the weight becomes heavy.

In strength and peace,
Michelle