FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2027 · 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET · 1 CE
Understanding Perinatal Pathology: Supporting Families After Perinatal Loss
Linda Ernst, MD & Jill Kottmeier, RN, Thanatologist
About This Webinar
Following perinatal loss, families often have questions about why their baby died and what the findings may mean for future pregnancies. Placental examination and fetal autopsy can provide important information, but results are not always conclusive and can be difficult for families to understand. This webinar explores the role of perinatal pathology in investigating pregnancy and infant loss, including what placental examination and fetal autopsy can and cannot tell us, how findings may inform future pregnancy care, and what happens when answers remain uncertain. Through clinical examples and practical communication strategies, participants will learn how to discuss pathology findings with families in clear, compassionate ways, acknowledge uncertainty, and support informed decision-making throughout the process.
Meet Linda Ernst, MD
Linda M. Ernst, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Pathology at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and Director of Perinatal Pathology at NorthShore University HealthSystem. She also serves as Vice Chair for Research in her pathology department and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications related to fetal and placental pathology.
Board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Pediatric Pathology, Dr. Ernst completed her residency at Yale University and fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has devoted her career to perinatal pathology, with clinical expertise in placental examination and perinatal autopsy, having performed more than 1,000 fetal autopsies. Her research explores how placental pathology, social disadvantage, race, and environmental exposures contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes.
Meet Jill Kottmeier, RN, Thanatologist
Jill Kottmeier, RN & Thanatologist, has dedicated her career to providing compassionate bereavement care and crisis response to patients, families and staff. While focusing on palliative and bereavement care within the perinatal realm, Jill has walked alongside families during their most heart wrenching moments. Her ultimate goal is to create a safe space for all people that are grieving. Recognizing the profound impact of death and trauma on both patients and healthcare workers, she developed a program for employee grief support and co-founded the first crisis response team at Northwest Community Hospital, which now serves the entire Endeavor Health System. Through these initiatives, Jill has formalized her role in supporting the wellbeing of hospital staff, addressing grief in the workplace, destigmatizing mental health, and providing essential education on crisis intervention for leaders and colleagues. Jill’s story showcases not only her professional achievements but also her compassion and commitment to the holistic wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers she supports.
This continuing education activity is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional regulation as a Registered Nurse CE Sponsor #236.000230 and Registered Social Workers CE Sponsor #159.001647.