ABOUT US

Founded by Survivors, We are The First and Only Independent, Nonprofit Organization in Northern New Jersey Focused Solely on Perinatal and Perimenopausal Mental Health.

 

Our Story 

Aurielle S. Wilderman, MA, PMH-C is a survivor of extreme Postpartum Depression, OCD, and PTSD from Traumatic Childbirth. She founded The Wilderman Fund for Maternal Mental Health in response to the scarcity of Maternal Mental Healthcare experienced while suffering from the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders that nearly cost her her life. A carrier of the BRCA2 and CHEK2 genetic mutations, she had double mastectomies, total hysterectomy, and instant menopause by her mid-30s.

We understand Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Menopause on both personal and practical levels. We have suffered from the crippling  effects of stigma and had nowhere to turn for help, and we are physicians and experts in the background and science of these illnesses.

The Wilderman Fund believes that collaboration is key in identifying the gaps in the system; change needs to happen, and competition does not work. Our work and programs are empirically validated and innovative, in order to help close these healthcare gaps and eradicate stigma.

Our Mission >>>


 Executive Board 

Aurielle S Wilderman, MA, PMH-C

President and Founder

Michael J Wilderman, MD, FACS

Secretary, Treasurer

Allison Breitstein

Executive Board and Advocacy Chair on Pregnancy Loss and Bereavement

 Advisory Committee

Our Advisory Committee of elite-trained specialists has over 100 years of combined expertise across the many facets of Maternal Mental Healthcare. 

 

Videos and Expert Testimonials
Kimberly Agresta, MSW, LCSW

The Agresta Psychotherapy Group

Nance K. Agresta, LCSW, CASAC, NCAACII

The Agresta Psychotherapy Group
PMAD and Alcohol and Substance Specialist

WANDA KIMBER-WINFREE, MSN, CCRN, C-OB, D-EFM
Certified Yoga and Fitness Instructor

Clinical Nurse Manager of Labor and Delivery
Director of Perinatal Holistic Programs

Beth Bochner, PhD, LMSW

Psychotherapist
Women's Empowerment and Transitions

Ravital Korn, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Alyssa Bressman, MSW, LSW, CASAC

Licensed Social Worker
Family and Addiction Counseling Specialist

Aerin Hyun, MD, PhD

Chair, Advisory Committee
Psychiatrist
Reproductive Health

Tamara Wexler, MD, PhD

Reproductive Endocrinologist and Neuroendocrinologist
Clinical Research, Grant and Strategy Advisor

Testimonials
"The Wilderman Fund’s collaborative approach unites decades of research and progress…we can move forward, advancing the PMAD field beyond current knowledge, rather than reinventing the wheel."
Cheryl Tatano Beck, DNSc, CNM, FAAN
Board of Trustees Distinguished ProfessorSchool of Nursing University of Connecticut
"I have worked with patients...who were suffering...but were misdiagnosed, and as a result, not given the proper treatment.  ...it is imperative to help propel the Wilderman Fund forward ...to provide better care for women and their families."
Nance K. Agresta, LCSW, CASAC, NCACII
Partner, The Agresta Psychology Group of New York and New Jersey
"Since establishing our hospital's PMAD program in 2015, we have screened over 800 women and identified and treated more than 500 patients. You see how many woman we have here, this could be all across NJ and the US.  That's our goal."
Lisa Tremayne, RN, CPPD, CBC, CCE
Director, Center for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Monmouth Medical Center
"The Wilderman Fund has exactly the tools that can be put into place to make this a no brainer and to make this part and parcel of what Perinatal Health Care looks like.  To me, that is where the future of this issue is going to be, with TWF and the Mom's Voice."
Jamie Zahlaway-Belsito
National Advocacy Chair, The National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health

Response to Real-Time Needs meets Innovation to Improve Healthcare Quality, Accessibility, and Outcomes for All

Programs to increase knowledge and resources for providers and the community
create and expand clinically specialized, culturally sensitive             programs and centers to serve all women and families
programs enabling innovations and advancements 

 

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IMPROVE access to CARE
create the standard of care
increase awareness, outreach and catchment
better programs that serve more women and families
increase resources for providers
improve outcomes
empower women and families, and lead the future for healthcare
increase profits

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