PhD Degree for Jo Glasser Adds Dimension to Bereavement Services Growth

Already recognized internationally for its clinical experience, Bereavement Services is now poised to unfold greater research expertise in the field of bereavement care

LA CROSSE, Wis., MAY 3, 2005 – Though she won’t actually have her degree in hand until July 23, 2005, Bereavement Services Coordinator Jo Glasser recently successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, the final requirement she needed to earn her PhD degree in Organizational Psychology.

Glasser’s dissertation, entitled Peer-Mediated Conflict Resolution Training for A Church Setting: An Exploratory Study (Capella University, March 2005), focuses on a conflict resolution training model already implemented with youngsters in schools. Glasser used the training model for the first time ever with adults. She found that participants successfully learned, recalled, and applied basic conflict mediation skills, which were taught using training methods and materials appropriate for adult learners.

Organizational Psychology, a specialization designed for scholars interested in behavior in the workplace and other organizational settings, focuses on leadership issues, group development, organizational change strategies, and motivation and performance enhancement concerns. Dr. Glasser, who also holds two masters degrees – a Master of Science in Gerontology (University of Southern California, 1979) with an emphasis on counseling, and a Master of Business Administration (University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, 1988) – earned her entire doctoral degree online.

“It was a good experience,” says Glasser, who started work on her PhD in July 1999. After completing 120 credits online and successfully defending her dissertation, she is happily planning to travel to Dallas, Texas, where Capella University will hold its commencement ceremonies on July 23, 2005.

As Bereavement Coordinator for Bereavement Services, Glasser works collaboratively with other members of the Bereavement Services team and other departments and disciplines to coordinate bereavement care at Gundersen Lutheran. She is a clinical resource for Bereavement Services, and provides back up for the Regional Bereavement Liaison and Organ Procurement Coordinator Chris Thomsen. She also coordinates RTS (pregnancy loss and newborn death) bereavement care at Gundersen Lutheran and all regional clinics.

Current Projects Have Local, Regional, and National Impact

Glasser’s current projects include leadership of a work group established to review the death process at Gundersen Lutheran. The intent of the project is to improve the consistent and continual care of patients and their families at the time of death. An interdisciplinary team, the death process work group identified parts of the process that needed to be changed, transformed paperwork, and involved funeral directors, and all others at Gundersen Lutheran who come into contact with the patient. Their work is almost done, with only a resource manual, checklist, and final details for a signature on the death certificate to be completed by this summer.

“To be a part of this group is very satisfying,” comments Glasser. “It’s our goal to see that everyone is well cared for at the time of death – patient, family, friends.”

As Bereavement Coordinator, Glasser has also been instrumental in rolling out a new Bereavement Services course, Building Foundations for Bereavement Care … Adult, Pediatric, and Perinatal Loss. The course targets hospitals, clinics, and community organizations in need of professional bereavement training. As with other Bereavement Services courses, it addresses standards of care, and is founded on clinical practice and extensive experience in educating caregivers about bereavement care.

The opportunity to offer this course grew out of an analysis Glasser and Thomsen have been conducting to evaluate bereavement programs at Gundersen Lutheran regional clinics. Working with Sue Einwalter, a nurse from the Gundersen Lutheran West Union and Postville Clinic, and Mary Winters, Coordinator of Northeast Iowa Community Collages (NICC) Continuing Education Programs, the first ever Foundations course will be offered in Calmer, Iowa, at NICC on Saturday, October 22, 2005. Gundersen Lutheran and affiliate staff, NICC staff and students, and other interested professionals can register to attend (for more information, call Bereavement Services at 608-775-4747).

“The course is not hospital-bound,” explains Glasser. “Its principals are appropriate for hospital, clinic, or community setting.”

Finally, late this summer, Glasser will call upon her group development, motivation, and performance enhancement skills to influence some of the leading perinatal bereavement care professionals from around the world. Bereavement Services’ RTS Coordinators will come together in La Crosse on August 26, 2005 for Coordinator Advanced Training. The training is designed to help RTS Coordinators stay abreast of current grief process research, educational techniques, and bereavement support materials; learn principles of improvement and complex systems to help improve bereavement programs at their facilities; learn how RTS training supports JCAHO standards for bereavement and end-of-life care; and gain significant insight into supporting a new generation of patient.

“Jo will have a key role in planning and presenting at Coordinator Advanced Training,” says Glasser’s manager, Bereavement Services Director Rana Limbo, PhD. “This is a good example of how she’ll be able to use her degree to influence practice worldwide.”

New Depth to Bereavement Services Research Capabilities

“The Foundation is committed to research,” notes Limbo, who explains that as a department of Gundersen Lutheran, Bereavement Services gained significant clinical experience. “ In fact, today we enjoy an international reputation for our clinical expertise. Now that we’re part of the Foundation, research becomes key.

“Jo is an extraordinarily skilled leader and broad visionary,” says Limbo. “Her PhD work has taken her to a new level in skill and understanding. With her expertise in systems, she can help us create more seamless interdependent connections. And as a scholarly thinker, she will help us improve our educational programs.”

According to Limbo, Glasser’s new credentials open another door to research projects for Bereavement Services. “Not only will she be involved in research projects that will broaden what we do, her consultative skills can foster growth for us in that area, too.”

Glasser agrees. She explains that she’s trained to analyze settings, and understand organizational culture. Knowing how an organization will react to circumstance prepares her to analyze and implement change in other settings.

“I’m especially pleased to be working in bereavement,” says Glasser. “The work is critically important, the people are wonderful, and the rewards are deeply satisfying.”

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About Bereavement Services

Bereavement Services, a program of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin, has provided bereavement courses and support services for healthcare professionals since 1981. Beginning with the development of the perinatal bereavement program, RTS Bereavement Training in Pregnancy Loss and Newborn Death, Bereavement Services has trained over 27,000 healthcare professionals in all 50 states, the Philippines, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Canada. Bereavement Services continues to provide groundbreaking educational and support resources for caregivers and bereaved families. Many of their support materials are available in English and Spanish. Primary courses include RTS Bereavement Training in Pregnancy Loss and Newborn Death, Compassionate Bereavement Care, Compassionate Death Notification, and Building Foundations for Bereavement Care … Adult, Pediatric, and Perinatal Loss. Three new online courses have also been added this year and will be available online at the end of May. For more information, visit www.bereavementservices.org.

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