When birth becomes stillbirth
M
ary-Margaret Allen (M.D.,
They don’t want to be pitied, though.
’13) and her husband, Shawn, They want to be helpful. This is their way of
provide a service that they celebrating their little girl and offering the same
hope you never need. But if kind of loving support that they received.
you do, or if a friend or relative or patient does,
they’re ready.
Shawn explains that the foundation acts as
a platform where parents can connect with
A year and a half ago they formed Anna’s them and they can connect parents with service
Foundation. It’s named for their daughter, who providers – or service providers can contact the
was stillborn Jan. 19, 2016. As they write in Allens to help parents who’ve come to them.
their brochure, “this is not how having children
is supposed to go.”
The brochure issues this invitation to parents:
“Please use our services to provide financial
assistance and guidance as you choose a
photographer, funeral home, and any grief
counseling you seek. We will pay $150 towards
photography, $250 towards burial or cremation
Hinson-Knipple
costs, and $80 per session for five counseling
sessions.”
Mary-Margaret completed her pathology
residency at Vanderbilt and recently completed
a hematopathology fellowship at Moffitt Cancer
Center in Tampa – and now they’re back at
Vanderbilt for her final year of training in
surgical pathology. They had been living in Citrus
County, Florida, where her husband grew up.
“We have been utilized about once a month
in Citrus County, where we have piloted the
program,” they say on their website. “Now we
are hoping to grow into Tallahassee” – where
Mary-Margaret grew up. Their latest project will
be of great interest in the capital city.
“We are establishing a scholarship at the
Tallahassee Regional Campus for a fourth-year
student looking to specialize in obstetrics,”
Shawn said.
Little by little, they want the word to
C
ollege of Medicine
students often arrive with
a resume full of significant
accomplishments, then become
relatively anonymous in a class of similarly
talented individuals all working toward the
same goal. It’s easy to forget, or overlook,
spread about Anna’s Foundation. They hope what these students have already done on
physicians and other providers will keep www. their way to medical school.
annasfoundation.org/ in mind.
“In our culture, stillbirth is not often
discussed because it is painful, and for some
there is shame,” the Allens write on their
Doctor,
athlete,
Hall of
Famer
They come in as athletes, musicians,
engineers, dentists, scientists, student
leaders. …
For example, there’s Lindsay Hinson-
website. “We want to push back against that Knipple (M.D., ’08). She was a standout
by connecting with those in need and ensuring volleyball player at Wingate University in
they are not and do not feel alone.” Rock Hill, South Carolina, before arriving
at the College of Medicine. Hinson-
26
Mary-Margaret Allen (M.D., ’13) and
her husband, Shawn, in Nashville,
where she is completing her training
in surgical pathology at Vanderbilt.
Knipple won numerous athletic and