“All we had known was trauma,” reflects Alyssa Rifkin of Litchfield, whose journey as a mother has been marked by extraordinary resilience.
In mid-January 2022, Charles Benjamin Rifkin (Charlie) was determined to enter the world. Mom, Alyssa, was rushed to Catholic Medical Center (CMC), where she delivered a two-pound, thirteen-ounce baby boy. After Alyssa recovered from delivery, she was moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) & Family Suites where she was able to be with Charlie at all times.
“From the moment we arrived, our experience at CMC felt differently,” Alyssa shared. “The couplet model of care was incredible. I could stay with Charlie and hold him for as long as I wanted in our spacious suite.” This was a stark contrast to her previous experiences at other hospitals. She was pleasantly surprised by the NICU & Family Suites' design, which allowed her to remain with her preemie almost 100% of the time.
The Mom’s Place and NICU & Family Suites deliver approximately 1,000 babies annually to mothers in the Greater Manchester community and beyond. At CMC, delivering babies and caring for their families has been a cornerstone of our mission for 130 years and will continue to be for many more.
Alyssa and her husband, Jason, were no strangers to long and heartbreaking hospital stays. In January 2019, their eldest daughter, Madison, was diagnosed with leukemia at just three years old, necessitating months of treatment in Boston hospitals. Thankfully, Madison has been in remission for the past three years. However, their family faced the unimaginable in 2020 when their infant son, Benjamin, passed away at just five days old due to an undetected genetic disorder. Alyssa vividly recalls the heartache of being separated from Benjamin in his final hours, walking ten minutes between her room and his care unit.
These past experiences made the care at CMC’s NICU & Family Suites all the more remarkable. “We couldn’t believe this level of care was available—and right in our backyard,” said Alyssa.
For two months after Charlie’s birth, the Rifkins lived at the NICU & Family Suites. Alyssa maintained a sense of normalcy, bringing her weights to stay active and enjoying Saturday night date nights with Jason in their suite’s kitchenette. “This became my home,” she recalled. “The physical environment and the compassionate, knowledgeable staff, made our experience truly beautiful.”
What stood out most for Alyssa was how valued she felt as a mother and a caregiver. “I was invited to participate in the report and hand-off at the end of each shift. I had an active role in Charlie’s care, something we did not know existed,” she said.
The staff at the NICU & Family Suites went above and beyond to create a sense of celebration during those critical early weeks. They crafted a laminated scrapbook for the Rifkins, documenting Charlie’s milestones: his first weigh-in at three pounds, his first bath, and the day he no longer needed a feeding tube. These moments became precious memories for a family that had endured so much loss.
Today, Charlie is a thriving three-year-old boy. Alyssa attributes his strong start in life to the exceptional care he received in those first months. “Each member of the NICU & Family Suites team brings unparalleled experience, knowledge and compassion. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding support we received,” she said.
The Mom’s Place and NICU & Family Suites deliver approximately 1,000 babies annually to mothers in the Greater Manchester community and beyond. At CMC, delivering babies and caring for their families has been a cornerstone of our mission for 130 years and will continue to be for many more.
The Mom's Place and NICU & Family Suites Virtual Tour and Info Session
Discover everything you need to know about giving birth at CMC, from when to come to the hospital and who to call, to what to expect during your stay. This class includes a guided virtual tour of The Mom’s Place and NICU & Family Suites. Sessions are held monthly via Zoom. For dates and registration, visit: Virtual Tour and Class Signup