The Tiny Miracles Foundation Expands Services to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
The Tiny Miracles Foundation (TTMF) is proud to announce the expansion of their services to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, main campus in New Haven, in May of 2021. TTMF is a Connecticut based non-profit organization dedicated to helping preterm babies and their families. TTMF has been operating programs in five local NICUs since 2005, and is thrilled to partner with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital to enhance their family-centered support services for preterm babies and their families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NNICU).
“The Tiny Miracles Foundation is honored and excited to partner with Yale New Haven Children’s hospital and bring our programs and services to New Haven County. Together we will be able to touch the lives of the many families of premature babies in this community, bringing hope, reassurance, and support.” Kristen Ezzo, TTMF Director of Family Services
The Tiny Miracles Foundation’s (TTMF) programs will be available to all families at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital NICU include: parent support mentoring virtually and in-person once hospital COVID restrictions allow, weekly virtual connection support groups, emergency financial assistance to help economically distressed families, Tiny Treasures supplies to ease families’ transitions into and out of the NICU, access to our extensive website (www.ttmf.org) and database housing a variety of information with resources available in English and Spanish, bereavement support, an online support community through our social media platforms, educational programing series, and After-The-NICU playgroups. All services are offered free-of-charge.
“We are so very grateful and appreciative of all the Tiny Miracles Foundation has done, and continues to do for the families and staff here at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital,” said Cynthia Sparer, senior vice president Operations at Yale New Haven Hospital and executive director, YNHCH. “We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship at our Bridgeport Campus Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for many years, and are thrilled to see it expanding to our NNICU here in New Haven. Our mutual commitment to the incredible needs of these families unites us, and we could not think of a better partner than the Tiny Miracles Foundation.”
With over one in every ten babies born prematurely nationwide, preterm birth is the most common, serious and costly infant health crisis in America. Over 3,100 babies are born prematurely each year in Connecticut alone. Premature birth is a leading cause of infant death, a myriad life-threatening newborn medical complications, and significant, life-long physical, developmental, neurological, cognitive and emotional impairments. Not surprisingly, the trauma of a preterm birth and its serious consequences is also well-documented to cause significant long-lasting and emotional, financial and practical distress for families struggling to cope with and care for their sick babies in the hospital and at home.
The Tiny Miracles Foundation’s programs and services are designed to combat this serious toll on families by providing vital support, assistance and education to empower and strengthen parents to best cope with and care for their fragile preterm baby in the hospital and after they transition home. In addition to the invaluable parent-to-parent support and educational resources, TTMF’s programs promote critical parent-child bonding and parental involvement in their preemie’s care, and facilitate developmentally-sensitive, family-centered care and treatment in Fairfield County NICUs. TTMF’s goals are to help preemie parents through a critical time and empower them to be the best parents they can be, as well as to enhance NICU services and improve the short- and long-term outcomes for local preterm babies and their families.
The Tiny Miracles Foundation currently operates in-NICU programs at YNHCH Bridgeport Campus, Danbury, Norwalk, St. Vincents, Stamford and YNHCH New Haven Campus Hospitals, as well as community-based services to families with preterm babies in the greater Connecticut region. For more information or to become involved, please visit www.ttmf.org or contact The Tiny Miracles Foundation at info@ttmf.org or 203-202-9714.
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Photo Courtesy of YNHHS. Pictured L to R:
Dr. Steven Peterec – Associate Director YNHCH Neonatal ICU
Tracy Gambardella – PA-C YNHCH Neonatal ICU
Katie Donohue – Executive Director, Women’s Health & YNHCH Neonatal ICU
Alyssa Kent – TTMF Board Vice President
Ashley Dineen – TTMF Board President
Cynthia Sparer – Sr. VP Operations YNHH & Executive Director of YNHCH
Marisela Esposito – TTMF Board Immediate Past President
Gwen Noto – TTMF Founder and Board Member
Lindsey Garcia – RN DNP – Nursing Director YNHCH Neonatal ICU
Kristen Ezzo – TTMF Director of Family Services
