For the third year in a row, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and St. Anthony High School partnered on a program called “Window to the Womb” which allows high school students an opportunity to see the development of life while in the womb. All the high school students are either part of the Anatomy and Physiology class or the junior religion class at St. Anthony High School, which has recently been studying morality, especially issues of respect for the dignity of human life.
Four mothers in various stages of pregnancy volunteered to have ultrasounds that the students could observe. The students also had the opportunity to see and hold fetal models of babies at different gestational ages to help illustrate the development in the womb.
Maureen Habing (standing), HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Registered Ultrasound Technologist, shows students from St. Anthony High School the development of Emily Brummer’s 23-week baby through an ultrasound. Observing the ultrasound are (standing, left to right) high school students Trey Koester, Andrew Gibson, Alex Beesley, Mary Claire Wegman, and Nicholas Dust, and Joe Wagner, St. Anthony High School religion class teacher.
It was evident that the experience intrigued the students, as they asked the mothers and Maureen Habing, Ultrasound Technologist, a number of questions while viewing the ultrasound. Habing pointed out various body structures, tissues and organs on the ultrasound screen and let the students listen to the baby’s heartbeat.
Afterwards, some of the students expressed their amazement and gratitude for the experience. Kristin Slaughter said, “I had never seen a sonogram before and the images were unforgettable. This experience proved an even greater reminder just how beautiful life before birth is. Thank you for allowing all of us to gain a deeper understanding of the life of an unborn baby.”
Ben Rudolphi shared, “When the nurse found the [baby’s] face and took 3D images of it, I saw what God had created inside of that woman and it showed that God’s creation is truly amazing. I am also thankful for that woman to let us see her ultrasound and to witness the beauty of a child in the womb.”
“Seeing the sonogram makes it so extremely clear that it’s not just a ball of cells, but an actual baby,” said Rachel Wortman “I understand why 90% of women choose to not have an abortion after seeing a sonogram.”
Joe Wagner, who teaches the religion class, expressed the high school’s appreciation for St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s willingness to partner together for this project for the past three years. “It means an enormous amount for us at St. Anthony High School to have St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital work with us to accomplish this project. The Catholic identities of both the high school and the hospital inspire us all to work towards an increasing understanding of human life,” he said. “Being able to see into the world of developing babies at several stages along the gestation spectrum is an incredible experience for these students. It will be something that really makes an impact on their lives.”
Theresa Rutherford, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s President and CEO, shared why St. Anthony’s has partnered with St. Anthony’s High School for this project. “At St. Anthony’s, we believe each and every human life is a precious gift. We are fortunate to have the advanced technology that shows in great detail a baby’s development in the womb. By showing these students a precious little baby growing in the womb, we are doing our part to continue to foster respect for all life,” she said.
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit St. Anthony’s Web site at stanthonyshospital.org. HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 13 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.
