Community Connections: Butterfly Suite
In loving memory of Rowan Mae, born still on July 26, 2021, Montefiore Nyack Hospital recently unveiled its new Butterfly Suite, a private space designed for families navigating the heartbreaking experience of stillbirth. This special suite provides a comforting environment for families to grieve, reflect and honor their child in a safe, supportive space while providing the family with many comforts and amenities they need during their stay.
The suite was lovingly dedicated by the Hernandez/Minaya Family, who poured their hearts into raising funds and working closely with Montefiore Nyack’s Maternal-Child Health clinical team at The Jacobs Family Maternity Center and Montefiore Nyack Foundation. Their goal was to ensure that every detail would provide solace to families navigating profound grief.
Rowan Mae’s Butterfly Suite is a spacious, softly lit, secluded room that is purposely situated away from the nursery and bustle of the labor and delivery unit. The Butterfly Suite is fully equipped with everything grieving families may require, including:
- A nursery setting with a rocking chair and bookshelves with children’s books for siblings and parents to read to their child
- A queen bed and a sofa pull-out where parents and families can sleep, rest or sit
- A CuddleCot™ (bassinet) which consists of a cool gel pad that keeps the baby’s body temperature measured to allow families extra time to be together
- A comfort kit filled with self-care products from Aaliyah in Action
- A large shower and sink with individual toiletry packs for families, lush towels and post-delivery care kits for mothers. Pajamas, socks and slippers are available, too.
- Items that will help families create remembrance keepsakes and a digital camera with SD cards
- A coffee nook with soothing teas, calming beverages and a microwave for heating soups and other food items. Each family will have access to gift cards to order food into the suite from outside the hospital.
- Most importantly, no family will leave without the support needed to help them through grieving and healing
In addition to Rowan Mae’s Butterfly Suite, the Hernandez/Minaya family has funded the continuation of bereavement training for future hires of The Jacobs Family Maternity Center through a program offered by the Adalyn Rose Foundation, as well as the evidence-based “Count the Kicks” awareness program that will be implemented at The Prenatal Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
Rowan Mae’s mother, Felicia Hernandez, and her grandmother, Jena Hernandez, have made it their mission to offer support to families experiencing loss while educating expectant mothers. The Butterfly Suite is a tribute to their love, dedication and Rowan Mae’s lasting legacy. We are so thankful to them for sharing their incredible vision and for being such a beacon of hope and compassion.
