For every family that's experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant, there's Hope After Loss. And to celebrate those exceptional professionals who go above and beyond in support and care, there is the Hope After Loss Compassionate Care Awards Gala.

On Wednesday, May 17, two outstanding professionals will be honored at the Hope After Loss 2017 Compassionate Care Awards Gala at Branford's Woodwinds. The 2017 awardees are Dr. Richard Viscarello, an obstetrician at Maternal Fetal Care, PC in Stamford; and Megan Ryan, a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Hosted by emcee Anne Craig of WTNH News, the gala includes a delicious dinner, craft beer and wine tasting, silent auction and live jazz, blues and R&B music by Faye Greene and Thomas Borino. Tickets are available now; proceeds benefit programs of non-profit Hope After Loss (formerly the Hygeia Foundation).

For Branford High School (BHS) assistant principal and Hope After Loss volunteer Stephanie Byrd, the programs and support offered to families by Hope After Loss are critical to those burdened by the loss of an infant.  Four years ago, with no signs of complications, Byrd carried her son, Jaxen, for 32 weeks of pregnancy before his stillbirth on April 23, 2013.

A former North Branford High School (NBHS) teacher and NBHS Student Council advisor who founded the school's award-winning "Big Give" charitable effort, Byrd joined Branford Public Schools with the 2016-17 school year.

Since the time of Jaxen's passing, Byrd has publicly shared her story of loss to assist Hope After Loss. The Connecticut-based organization provides free services, from peer support groups to financial assistance to low-income bereaved parents to help with the cost of burial or cremation. Hope After Loss also provides awareness and outreach initiatives for medical, mental health and other professional organizations.

Byrd is also a big proponent of the Hope After Loss "Footprints on Our Hearts" fundraising walk each October. She was the walk's keynote speaker in 2014. Now, she's helping gather guests to ensure fundraising success for the May 17 Compassionate Care Awards Gala.

"Aside from our Footprints on Our Hearts Walk, this is one of two events that are so desperately needed to keep this organization going," said Byrd.

Hope After Loss chairman Claudia Esposito, a volunteer since 2004, says the non-profit and its Compassionate Care Awards speak volumes about the kindness and compassion of organization's founder, Dr. Michael Berman. Eighteen years ago, Berman visited Esposito on the night she found out her twins, Andrew and Joseph, had died from twin-to-twin syndrome in utero.

In getting to know Berman, Esposito said his efforts have gone far beyond supporting families. Now a New York City hospital physician, she's seen him speak to "... a roomful of people from all different departments – social workers, nurses, anybody that might have a hand in dealing with a patient that's had this type of unique loss.  Another one of the wonderful things he's done, but I rarely get to do, is talk to students," such as future doctors and nurses, said Esposito.

"As a bereaved parent, and now chair of the board, I see you can have a direct impact on someone who will be giving care to these patients. Having them see how much of an impact they can have in the future, I think, is so important," she said.

One of the strengths of programming and support offered to families through Hope After Loss is the ability to help them continue on and find a way forward.

"The statistics are one in four women will have a pregnancy loss, be it a miscarriage or still birth. There are a lot of people out there who experience this type of loss. And it's so important to help to get them going, with a positive experience through all of this, so they can become more productive members of society and be able to function in the long run," said Esposito.

That being said, having the support of compassionate caregivers in the moments, hours and days after experiencing such a tragic loss is an essential component of the healing process.

"Probably the lowest point in someone's life that they will ever experience is the loss of a child," said Esposito. "So for those that care for these patients exceptionally, the healing process becomes much easier in the long run. People that have a positive experience with caregivers are shown to have their grieving process become more manageable; because they have had this connection and care, and even love, from their caregiver."

Through Hope After Loss, what began as honoring exemplary caregivers during the annual walk evolved, about seven years ago, into the Compassionate Care Awards event. The night is meant to recognize and inspire, by celebrating those who give exemplary service to the pregnancy and loss community.

"We really want to focus on those that are doing this well," said Esposito. "It's not easy to take care of a patient who has had a loss. There are emotions on both sides. I think there are many people out there who do it well, but there are a few who do it exceptionally well. We really want to highlight them and their talents to be a model for those in the health care profession."

The Compassionate Care Awards will be presented May 17 at a Gala from 6- 9 p.m. at Woodwinds, 29 School Ground Rd, Branford. Dinner, craft beer and wine tasting, entertainment, and a silent auction will be hosted to benefit the Hope After Loss, Inc. ® programs. Tickets ($65 general admission) are available here