Kristen Aversa, M.D. – Nominated by Johanna D’Addario. Dr. Aversa was nominated by Johanna D'Addario after she and her husband lost twins following an IVF. Joanna said, “she stepped up to help us through the pain and darkness of the days that followed. She checked in after hours, made sure our care was seamless, and sent words of encouragement and care. Dr. Aversa's compassion will never be forgotten and we are so thankful that she is part of our support system.” Dr. Natalie C Webb, M.D. and Jennifer Wethje, APRN, MSN, MS, FNP-BC – Nominated by Kim McIntosh. After losing her second son at 38 weeks due to a cord accident, Kim appreciated their compassionate approach and extra care during her third pregnancy. She nominated them because the need for compassionate care isn’t limited to the time immediately following a loss. “Pregnancy after loss is by far the most difficult journey I’ve walked, second only to losing our second son at 38 weeks. Natalie & Jen made this time in my life easier, they supported me, they cleared their schedules for me, they were available via text, and they made sure to do everything within their power to enable me to bring a living baby home. They truly embody compassion and are able to marry it with professionalism.”

Dr. David Schmidt- nominated by Michelle Raszcewski. Dr. Schmidt supported Michelle through two miscarriages and a subsequent successful pregnancy. “Compassionate care allows parents to begin the process of grieving and healing. It is the respect, empathy, support and hope that we parents sometimes can’t give ourselves after loss,” said Michelle. She described how after her losses, he made time for her and sat with her while she cried and that when she had to be seen for an emergency ultrasound when she was pregnant again, he let out an elated sigh of relief when they all heard the heartbeat. She sobbed, and while a resident working with Dr. Schmidt was caught off guard by the tears, Dr. Schmidt knew what she needed. “He stopped what he was doing, acknowledged all the feelings I was feeling but couldn’t put into words.” Dr. Jacob McPadden, Neonatologist – nominated by Dana and Daniel Romano. The Romano’s lost their third son, Julian Daniel, on August 3, 2019. Julian survived for 36 hours after birth at 34.5 weeks and passed away peacefully in his parent’s arms under the care of Dr. McPadden. “We nominated Dr. McPadden for his incredible amount of empathy, responsiveness, and compassion as we faced the absolute hardest moments of our lives.” The Romano’s told a story of patience and presence that carried over to the months following the death of their son. “What is it that we wish all caregivers would do with their patients? It is being present. In the moments when we feel so weak, so helpless, so confused, being made available can be the very thing we need. Because the reality is, sometimes our caregivers are the closest ones we have that have felt what we’ve felt and who have seen what we have seen. And in a time that can feel so isolating, presence is what we long for.”

Dr. Lawrence Engmann, M.D., M.R.C.O.G, Dr. Lawrence Engmann is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI). He graduated from the University of Ghana Medical School and received his MRCOG in 1995 from the United Kingdom. Kathy Paniati, BSN, RN, Kathy Paniati graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island in 1989 and has been a nurse for 30 years. She worked in Med/Surg, Homecare and Labor & Delivery prior to joining the CARS team as the Third Party team coordinator 4 years ago. Holly Carson, RN, ASN, Holly Carson started her career in nursing in High School as a Certified Nurse’s Aide. She thought that Pediatrics was her calling until a chance opportunity led her to Labor and Delivery at Manchester Memorial Hospital 14 years ago. Rebecca Bennet, RNC-OB, BSN, Rebecca Bennet graduated from American International College with her Nursing degree and served in the Army National Guard for 8 years. She has been working as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Manchester Memorial Hospital for the past 8 years.

Dr. Barnaby is a board eligible OB-GYN at Women’s Obstetrics and Gynecology PC in Trumbull, CT. She has 3 children. Dr. Steven Peterec has been a member of the Yale University Department of Pediatrics faculty since completing his fellowship, is an attending neonatologist in the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and is Director of the Yale Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (“ECMO”) Program. Marianna Erenhouse, RN, Nurse Erenhouse received her BS in Nursing from the University of Virginia. She’s worked at YNHH in the NICU for the last 13 years. Charlene Cannon-Heinrich, RN, BSN, MSN, Nurse Cannon-Heinrich has been an RN at Yale’s NNICU for 22 years. Ana Carneiro, RN, Nurse Carneiro has been a nurse for 38 years. She graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in 1980.

Dr. Richard Viscarello is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Maternal Fetal Care, PC in Stamford, Connecticut. Dr. Viscarello is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Maternal-Fetal Medicine Megan Ciarlelli is a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NNICU) at Yale New Haven Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts

Bonnie Blair, RN, Newborn Special Care Unit, Yale New Haven Hospital, nominated by Krista Bello, mother of Bryce Elise Resch, CNM, Women’s Health Associates, nominated by Julianne Kaphar, mother of Calla Pearl and Meghan Constantino, mother of Mabel.

Jan Ferraro, a Childbirth Educator of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and other locations throughout the state, including private one-on-one services

Sally Irons, MD, of Middlesex Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates. Alicia Esposito, RN, of Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit at the Saint Raphael Campus.

Christine Fontana RN YNHH Ellen Tilton BSN, RM, MFM Certified Yale MFM

Katie Brady RN YNHH

Brenda Beard RN YNHH (retired)