Women & Infants Support Groups

Support Groups

When you are experiencing a change in your life with pregnancy or have added stress due to illness, there is nothing more beneficial than meeting other women who are dealing with similar issues. Women & Infants offers a variety of support groups for bereavement, cancer patients, new or expectant parents, and general health to meet the many needs of our community and our patients. For more information on any of the support groups, call the number with the description listed below.

We Offer a Variety of Support Groups:
  • New or Expectant Parents Support Groups
  • Pregnancy Loss Support Groups
  • Cancer Support Groups
  • & More

Explore our Support Groups

Cancer Support Groups
BRCA+ Educational and Support Group

668 Eddy St., Providence. Please call for dates and times at (401) 230-3627.

Breast Cancer Support Group (Warwick)

For breast cancer patients and their families. Meets the second Thursday of every month, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Breast Health Center at Kent Hospital, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick. (401) 736-3737

Click here to learn more about Kent Hospital's Cancer Support Group.

PeaceLove Expressive Arts Support Group

Women & Infants has partnered with the PeaceLove Foundation to offer these expressive art workshops to patients and survivors.  The workshops provide a way to have some fun and be creative; while offering an opportunity to stay present and reflect. Contact Nike Kendall, LICSW at (401) 430-7106 or nkendall@wihri.org to learn more and register.

Click here to view Expressive Art Workshops 

GYN Cancer Support Group

For patients who are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Meets the first Thursday of every month, 5 to 6:30 p.m., 668 Eddy St., third-floor conference room, Providence. Facilitated by Nike Kendall, MSW, LICSW ((401) 430-7106, nkendall@wihri.org.

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Discussion Group

668 Eddy St., third-floor waiting area, Providence. Please call (401) 430-7111 for more information.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group

For women living with chronic disease. Meets the second Tuesday of every month 10:30 a.m. - 12 Noon. Women & Infants Program in Women’s Oncology 668 Eddy St., third-floor conference room, Providence. Facilitated by Nike Kendall, MSW, LICSW (401) 430-7106, nkendall@wihri.org.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

An eight-week program that will help you develop self-care tools to manage your stress, reduce medical symptoms, and enhance your quality of life. For more information, dates, times, and location please call the phone number below. Facilitated by Lisa Fiore, LICSW (401) 430-7106.

Qigong

A ten-week session introducing participants to a Chinese meditative practice that combines meditation, controlled breathing, and movement. Every Thursday 11-12 a.m. Facilitated by Lisa Fiore, LICSW (401) 430-7106, lfiore@wihri.org.

Transition to Survivorship Educational/Support Group

A six-week program designed to help women transitioning from active treatment to post-treatment. Please call or email for dates, times, and locations. Facilitated by: Dana D’Alessandro, MSW, LICSW, MPH, CST (401) 430-7111, ddalessandro@wihri.org.

Young Women's Support Group

For patients under the age of 40 with all types of cancer. Meets the third Tuesday of every month, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Women & Infants Program in Women's Oncology 668 Eddy St., third-floor conference room, Providence. Facilitated by Dana D’Alessandro, MSW, LICSW, MPH, CST (401) 430-7111, ddalessandro@wihri.org.

New or Expectant Parents Support Groups
New Mothers' Group:
An informal way to meet with other new mothers to share the new experiences of parenting. Groups meet weekly in the following locations:
  • Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m
  • Health Education Department, 300 Richmond Street, Suite 102, Providence
  • Free parking across the street

(Due to Covid-19 visitation restrictions, this support group is suspended until further notice. For new parents' support and breastfeeding support, please contact the Warm Line at 1-800-711-7011.)

Breastfeeding Support Group:

In order to provide additional help once breastfeeding moms go home after delivery, Women & Infants offers a weekly Breastfeeding Support Group. 

  • The group meets on Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m
  • Malcolm and Elizabeth Chace Education Center, South Pavilion, Women & Infants Hospital, 101 Dudley Street, Providence

Please bring your baby's birth date, birth weight, and weight at discharge.

(Due to Covid-19 visitation restrictions, this support group is suspended until further notice. For new parents' support and breastfeeding support, please contact the Warm Line at 1-800-711-7011.)

Choices in Family Building

A support group for single women and lesbian couples. The objective of this program is to offer support for women and couples using cryopreserved sperm to share their experiences and build a network of community support.

  • Meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m
  • Third floor of Women & Infants Fertility Center, 90 Plain Street, Providence
  • Facilitated by Lynn Finochiaro, LICSW, clinical social worker
  • Please register at (401) 274-1122, ext. 43438
Pregnancy Loss Support Groups
Miscarriage, Infant Death & Stillbirth (M.I.S.) Group
  • Meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m.
  • The Ronald McDonald House, 45 Gay Street, Providence,
  • Call (401) 274-1122, extension 44049
  • View the M.I.S./P.A.L.S. website.

Pregnancy After Loss (P.A.L.S.) Support Group

This support group is for women who are pregnant following a loss and would like to share their fears and concerns with other women.

Other Support Groups
Crohn's Disease and Colitis Support Group for Women

First Wednesday of each month, 6-7p.m., Health Education Department, lower level classroom, 100 Dudley St., Providence, (401) 453-7953.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (T.O.P.S)

Nominal Fee. Second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 5:30-7 p.m., 668 Eddy St., Breast Health Center, Providence.

Learn at Lunch

Every Friday in September and October, between 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., The Program in Women’s Oncology is holding virtual and informal talks with patients on topics that are important to them.

September Topic - Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

October Topic - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://carene.zoom.us/j/93981181292?pwd=eGYwdURzMjE0RDBxQmc5YzFXSVh6Zz09
Meeting ID: 939 8118 1292
Passcode: 311213

Spiritual Care

The spiritual care staff offers a listening and compassionate presence for patients and their families at any point during their hospital stay. Trained, multi-faith chaplains are available to offer spiritual support to people in times of illness and uncertainty.

Bereavement Council

The Bereavement Council endeavors to validate every life and death and to acknowledge each with care and respect. Through the efforts of the Council, we offer family, friends, and staff support and consolation as they grieve. We work to assure that responses are consistent in each case and to offer staff education to this end.