Get to know: Vicki VandenHeuvel

Vicki VandenHeuvel has worked as an RN in Maternal Child Health at Chandler Regional Medical Center for over 35 years, where she serves as the perinatal bereavement coordinator.

How do you see your work within Chandler Regional Medical Center help to fulfill the organization’s mission and vision?

I feel incredibly blessed to be entrusted with the care of families facing the unthinkable, perinatal loss, whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn loss. Supporting these families during such a profound and difficult time aligns with our mission to provide compassionate care, and it's a privilege to offer comfort when they need it most. 

The first sentence of our statement of common values says, "Holding the value of dignity means we show respect for persons, not for anything they do or any rank they hold, but because they reflect the face of God." In caring for families through perinatal loss, I’ve learned it’s essential to see the face of Jesus in every mom, dad, grandparent, and, most of all, every baby I care for. Healing begins when we show reverence for every stage of life’s journey.

Honoring and caring for babies born still, miscarried, or born with heartbreaking diagnoses allow only a brief moment to say Hello and Goodbye, but each moment matters.  Another core part of our mission is “Collaboration.” We are a team -nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers - quietly encircling these special grieving families. We grieve with them, we sit with them in their sadness, and we support them through every step. We build memory boxes, bathe and dress the babies, make name bracelets, and more. Each of us plays an important part in lovingly supporting our families through grief - this is true collaboration. 

Why do you give to the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley?

Though we welcome many healthy babies at Chandler Regional Medical Center each month, it’s the families who face loss that hold a special place in my heart. As a bereavement support nurse, I see firsthand how vital it is to bridge the gap between the hospital and home. We provide ongoing support, calling and sending notes to families for about a year, remembering them on important dates like due dates and anniversaries.

The Heaven’s Hummingbirds program, created by parents who recognized the need for perinatal support in the East Valley, has been instrumental. Our Foundation plays a key role in supporting monthly support groups, the annual Remembrance Run, and Memorial Service that takes place on October 15 every year. Through these efforts, we create a safe space for grieving parents to heal, knowing they are not alone.

The Foundation truly helps me do my job by filling the needs of our perinatal bereavement program. This is why I donate my time, energy, and resources. Their support aligns with our core value of “Dignity,” respecting the worth of every person, no matter how brief their life. I’m so grateful for the Foundation’s team—they help make things happen that I couldn’t do alone. It’s inspiring to see how faith, generosity, and shared compassion can truly move mountains.

What does gratitude mean to me and does it play a role in why you give?

Gratitude means genuine thankfulness. I am so thankful for everything our Foundation does to support my little corner of the community. They say “yes” to honoring human life, and to lifting up families facing the unthinkable loss of a child. They truly understand the importance of Heaven’s Hummingbirds message: “Their song will be sung, but We must do the singing.” The Foundation holds us up as we care for these families - through every word we speak, every touch of a grieving parent, educating our staff, and remembering and honoring these little ones.

How could I not be grateful for the consistent support our Maternal Child Health department receives, especially in building the Heaven Hummingbird program. This is why I give.  

What is your fondest memory of working at Chandler Regional Medical Center?

Each of our Rainbow babies brings a smile to my face - whether it’s seeing a pregnant belly at our support group or receiving a call or picture from parents sharing news of their new little one after loss. I smile every time. Watching parents in the support group, starting out in their grief and gradually emerging, becoming active in the Heaven’s Hummingbird program, and openly speaking their babies names - that’s what healing looks like. It’s very special for me to witness that transformation.  

What’s one fun fact that others might not know about you?

I went to high school prom with my husband of 43 years, Dean, twice!