Supporting Families Suffering Infant Loss.
About
Forty years ago, I experienced the unimaginable loss of my own daughter, Alicia Marie. For over 30 years as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, I have also walked alongside countless families who were forced to say goodbye to their precious babies—many without ever being able to take them home from the hospital. I often felt the deep ache of wanting to do more when there was nothing more we could do medically. From that longing, Alicia’s Angels was born. By creating peaceful, home-like spaces within the hospital—away from the clinical environment—we offer families a beautiful, compassionate place to say goodbye, create memories, and honor their child’s life.
Alicia's Angel Award Honorees
This award honors individuals in our community who go above and beyond to provide compassion, support, and hope to families experiencing the loss of a child.
2025
Erica Harp Erica Harp MSN, RN, CPLC is the Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse at Baystate Medical Center, supporting families and children of all ages
Destiny Warner, The founder of the Miracle 8 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by pregnancy and infant loss
2024
Brenda Whiting Beard RN, Pioneer is Support of Families Suffering Pregnancy Loss at Yale New Haven Hospital
Rashad and Dr. Courtney Gibson, Founders of Asher’s Answer, supporting families of children with rare trisomies
Emily Peregrim, Founder of Adalynn’s Gift, providing memory boxes across the state of Ct. for grieving families
2022
Dr. Ted Rosenkrantz, Chief of the Division of Neonatology at UConn Health, and early supporter of family presence and participation
Sherokee Ilse, A Pioneer in Support of Families Suffering Infant and Pregnancy Loss
Jennifer Papa RNC-NIC, CPLC, Lead of Palliative Care and Support at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital NNICU
2019
Brooke Hopkins, Founder of The Kelly Ryan Foundation, providing financial burial support for grieving families
Cynthia Sparer, EVP of Yale New Haven Health and early supporter of creation of the first Alicia’s Angels Family Care Room
2018
James Oca, Photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Julia Bishop-Hahlo RN, Co-Developed the Bereavement Program in the NNICU
Laurie Jonason RN, Co-Developed the Bereavement Program in the NNICU