End of Life Doulas & Senior Services of N.W. Michigan

Providing compassionate End of Life & Elder Care services throughout the Grand Traverse & Leelanau Region

Category: Education

  • First Graduating Doula Cohort

    First Graduating Doula Cohort

    We are proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Doulas. Training started in December 2025 and culminated with certifications on February 26, 2026. We’re inspired by their dedication to their profession.

    Next cohort training starts April 12, 2026. If you’re interested in participating in this program, please call us. Scholarships are available.

    Pictured, left to right are:

    • Sue Papajesk, Executive Director
    • Elizabeth Bradfield
    • Michelle Merriman, New Graduate
    • Dee Ann Moss, New Graduate
    • Karen Stevens, New Graduate
    • Stephanie Adams, New Graduate
    • Krista Cain
    • Rebecca Grove, New Graduate
  • CNA Licensing

    CNA Licensing

    Its was a great day to sponsor CNA students practical skills review prior to State of Michigan license testing.

    Trained at the Northern Michigan Health Training School. A very thorough & fun program with added value via the owner/instructor John!!

    YouGO!!!
    And congrats to the new career venture!! You are entering the most rewarding career pathway!

  • Doula Scholarship Program

    We are announcing our next Doula Training cohort starting May 1, 2026. If you are interested in being considered for our scholarship that provides scholarship funding for online training to become a credentialed End of Life Doula and additional scope of practice and hands on training, please contact us asap.

    We are announcing our next Doula Training cohort starting January 22, 2026. If you are interested in being considered for our scholarship, please contact us.

    Our mission is to recruit, develop, and train the next generation of End-of-Life Doulas. Our unique, one-of-a-kind training program pursues excellence in every aspect of End-of-Life Doula care. We consider online courses to be your “license to learn.” Along with active current TB testing and background checks. We are preparing our End of Life Doulas to work with anyone in any community.

    Becoming a End of life Doula is a commitment, and our program requires at least six months to complete. Practical, hands-on training, along with an internship embedded in a hospice agency, and subsequent “sing-off” from the supervising RN/Case manager that you are ready to begin your Doula journey & provides you with real-world experience. This builds credibility in the industry.

    We expect all scholarship recipients to join the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance and earn the proficiency badge it offers to support compliance and help build a standard of care that everyone can emulate and respect.

    We believe there are four major areas of focus in the End-of-Life Doula career pathway:

    1. Practical, hands-on care & support during the six months leading up to death and through the active dying stage. for the entire family.
    2. Supporting the family and patient in navigating complex decision making that honor dignity and quality of life for the loved one.
    3. Building expertise in documentation, service collaboration, and the ability to cultivate and facilitate local community outreach and education.
    4. Outreach and a call to action through participation in advancements within the Doula community nationwide.