Jenn Wall has used her Master’s in Healthcare Management in many capacities since graduating from Heller in 1997, from finance analyst at Partners Healthcare to administrative roles at Beth Israel and McLean Hospital, but her latest endeavor as executive director of the nonprofit, Zach’s Bridge, is particularly close to her heart. Cofounded by Jenn and her husband Jonathan in 2022, Zach’s Bridge provides peer support for parents and caregivers who have lost a child to pediatric cancer.
Jenn and Jonathan understand firsthand the value of peer support during a child’s cancer journey after going through their 16-year-old son’s battle with osteosarcoma in 2021. “When your child is given an incurable, terminal diagnosis, you want to talk to someone else who’s gone through what you’ve gone through.”
The Walls searched for peer support throughout Zach’s illness, but because of COVID safety regulations at the hospital, they were unable to connect and find companionship with fellow parents. It wasn’t until after losing Zach that they found peer support groups at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and even a remote group in Maine. The strong connections they made with fellow parents inspired Jenn and Jonathan to start a similar endeavor to honor Zach’s memory. “People are often afraid to talk to a bereaved parent about anything. For us, we just wanted to lend that support to other people.”
An Ongoing Education
After founding Zach’s Bridge, Jenn returned to graduate school to pursue her second master’s degree, this time in social work, from Syracuse University. She developed a passion for pediatric palliative care while doing her clinical internship at a hospice center in Worcester, and has since taken on a full-time role as a pediatric family support specialist and bereavement coordinator.
Jenn has put her Heller skills to work as she has progressed in her career, but the lessons learned as a graduate student in Heller’s Master in Healthcare Management program have been particularly valuable while leading Zach’s Bridge. “Heller provided me with the tools necessary to manage a nonprofit organization. So many different aspects of my education—like health policy, accounting, marketing, and working with children, youth, and families—come into play every day.”
Building Connections and Community
Zach’s Bridge has been an official 501(c)(3) organization for almost two years, and to date, the nonprofit has supported six different families across the United States and the U.K. dealing with pediatric cancer diagnoses. “We communicate via Zoom and text messaging. It’s a virtual handhold so we can be there with them while they’re in the hospital going through appointments and treatments. It’s what my husband and I wanted when we were navigating these challenging times with Zach.”
Today, the Walls continue to honor their son’s memory by speaking about Zach’s 9 Rules for Life, a compilation of lessons they learned from Zach and his journey to improve their relationships and their lives. Jenn and Jonathan have presented at schools, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and in professional settings, and have guest lectured at Salem State University about concepts of good philanthropy and the positive impact of Zach’s Bridge. The Walls hope that by sharing Zach’s story, they can help others think differently about themselves and the world around them.
The Heller Difference
Since graduating in 1997, Jenn continues to feel the impact of her time at Heller and the connections she made. “The Heller community has meant so much to me over the years. I’m still in touch with many of my peers, including my best friend from Heller, Leslie Davis Met, who introduced me to my husband!”
Some of Jenn’s lasting memories from Heller are of the instructors who brought a passion for both their subject matter and students to the classroom. Jenn recalls the late Professor Jon Chilingerian as one of the most influential and memorable aspects of her Heller education. “He was so passionate about the things he did and his enthusiasm was infectious—I remember him jumping on tables when he got excited about things. You couldn’t help but get excited with him once you stopped laughing at some of his antics.”
Jenn also remembers Jim Callahan, who served as her team consulting project advisor. “He was the most generous, genuine human. He had endless amounts of time for us, for our questions, and was always willing to help and support us. The professors go above and beyond for their students, and inspire them to take their Heller education out into the world and make a real difference.”
This commitment to social good instilled at Heller and the lessons learned have greatly influenced Jenn’s life both personally and professionally. “The Heller philosophy is very much in line with the things that we do at Zach’s Bridge and what I do in my palliative care work. If Heller taught me anything, it was about the importance of improving the community and giving back in any way that you can.”