Heather

Heather grew up in Anne Arundel County, where she still lives today. After graduating from Towson State University in 2000, she went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Although her original plan was to become an attorney, Heather’s path shifted when she began working with foster children in the 512 Program, which supports newborns with birth defects. She loved her work but realized that, as an attorney, she could be a stronger advocate for these babies. So, she set out to pursue law.

However, life took a different turn. After Heather and her husband tragically lost their twin babies, her perspective changed completely. Devastated by grief, Heather was faced with the harsh reality of what she described as two “black-and-white options” after loss. Soon after, she lost another baby but experienced a hospital that offered compassionate bereavement care. This experience sparked a deep curiosity: Why did one hospital offer perinatal hospice care, and another did not? Heather quickly realized there was no standard of care for families navigating such unimaginable, yet common, losses.

True to her nature, Heather decided to take action. She transitioned into social work, pursuing a Master’s Degree in the field and dedicating her career to helping families experiencing similar losses. Despite working in various hospital units, she continued to see significant gaps in care. In 2014, Heather founded SilverLeaf Counseling LLC, determined to fill those gaps and create a lasting impact for grieving families.

Since then, Heather has developed several hospital bereavement programs and works as a consultant, assisting hospitals in creating or revitalizing their perinatal bereavement care. She has also been a member of the exam development and writing committee for the CPLC (Certified in Perinatal Loss Care) exam since its inception.

A sought-after national and international speaker, Heather educates healthcare professionals on how to provide compassionate bereavement care and develop effective support systems for families. She has been active in the Anne Arundel County Fetal Infant Mortality Committee since 2009.

Believing that no family should be denied care because of financial barriers, Heather founded The Bill Sweeney Perinatal Care Fund, Inc. in 2019. This 501(c)(3) non-profit ensures that families who cannot afford perinatal bereavement and palliative care still receive the support they need. The charity also focuses on education about perinatal death for families, healthcare providers, and the broader community.

In addition to running a non-profit and counseling practice, Heather is a proud mother to three living children. When asked what she does in her free time, she says, “I f*cking love to travel.”

No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or how deep your pain may feel, Heather is dedicated to being a guiding light in your darkest moments.