How Your Support Helped Bring the Patient Voice Into Medical Education

One of the most meaningful parts of the work we do at the Shine Her Light Foundation is seeing how generosity turns into lasting impact. Today, we’re honored to share a powerful example of that impact—one that will influence maternal healthcare far beyond our own community.

Over the past ten months, MoMMA’s Voices has been collaborating with a group of highly respected physicians who are members of the Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASCOG). Together, they have been developing a textbook made up of real-life case studies from across the country, focused on quality improvement in OBGYN care. This textbook will serve as an important educational resource for providers, helping shape how care is delivered to mothers and families for years to come.

From the very beginning, there was a shared commitment to ensure that the patient voice was not just acknowledged, but meaningfully represented throughout the book. However, there was one significant challenge—there was no funding allocated to support this critical component. Without financial backing, there was genuine concern that the patient perspective might be left out of this important work.

Thanks to a donation made through the Shine Her Light Foundation, that concern has been turned into possibility.

This contribution has fully funded the work needed to integrate patient voices into the textbook. After reviewing and providing feedback on the first three chapters, MoMMA’s Voices received overwhelming appreciation from the physicians involved, who were impressed by the thoughtful, intentional way patient perspectives were woven into the material.

Because of this support, MoMMA’s Voices is now able to see the project through to completion, ensuring that patients’ lived experiences are reflected in a medical resource that will help guide and improve OBGYN care nationwide.

This is why Shine Her Light exists. It’s why we continue to share Katie’s story. And it’s why every act of generosity—big or small—matters. Together, we are helping turn compassion into action and making sure that the voices of mothers are heard where they matter most.

Thank you for being part of this mission and for continuing to shine her light.