board of directors
Rob + Ady Dorsett
As Hayden's parents, we are the co-founders and directors of Hayden's House of Healing. We started this foundation under the umbrella of Hayden’s Heart - which was started just a few months after he passed away out of desperation as a way to keep Hayden's memory alive and help raise awareness for CHD. After a few years, we hosted our first retreat for bereaved mothers and that is how Hayden’s House of Healing came to be - through the outcome of the first few retreats and the need for a space to call our own, we put our passion into supporting bereaved parents.
Ady Dorsett - Chief Executive Officer
Watching this vision come to life is truly a dream come true for Ady. Aiming high is often scary - but has been so worth it. Supporting mothers, fathers, couples and families through their loss is a passion for Ady - as she knows first hand how crucial it is to have a community of people who can relate to. Ady feels it is her mission and passion to support these families and be an advocate for them. Please contact Ady at ady.dorsett@haydenshouseofhealing.org
Rob Dorsett - Chief Financial Officer
Rob has watched Ady develop this dream over the years and has been a supportive, sounding board through it all. He looks forward to watching as this dream flourishes and families across the country are changed because of it.
Please contact rob.dorsett@haydenshouseofhealing.org
sabrina abramson - president
I am so incredibly honored to be the President of Hayden’s House of Healing! In 2012, I met Ady through a mutual friend, and after she mentioned her dream of hosting a retreat for mothers who lost children, we founded the Healing of the Heart retreat together in 2015. At that time, I knew that this was the perfect way to serve other bereaved moms, and I am so blessed to be able to continue to serve bereaved families as a Hayden’s House board member.
I currently live in Northern NJ with my husband, Justin, and two sassy rainbows, Emily and Jenna. Our oldest daughter, Ella, passed away in 2007 after suffering complications from open heart surgery, and the work I do with this organization gives purpose to her short life by giving back to others in her name. I have witnessed the absolutely amazing things that our retreats have done for grieving families, and I know that Hayden’s House will continue to change lives and join hearts. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about any of our retreat opportunities.
Stacey Williams - vice president
I am honored and humbled to serve as the Vice President of Hayden's House of Healing. In the summer of 2016, I attended the Healing of the Heart retreat and it was such a life-changing experience to connect with other bereaved moms. I knew after that weekend that I wanted to do whatever I could to help others who are grieving to have this same experience - to understand that they are not alone in their grief.
I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband, Mike, and our son, Ethan. Our daughter, Ella, passed away in 2015 at 2 months old while awaiting a heart transplant. Ella taught me more in her short life than I ever could have dreamed of teaching her and I am thankful that I can carry on her memory through helping others. This house is truly changing lives and I am honored to play a part in that.
toni arnold - retreat coordinator
I was fortunate enough to attend the first Healing of the Heart retreat in 2015, and I was so surprised and overwhelmed by my own healing that I began to volunteer at the following retreats. I have witnessed first hand how amazing connections and healing can happen just by providing a safe space for people to grieve. Each time I watch it unfold, I am inspired and reminded how important it is for grieving families to be together. This is why I am so passionate about Hayden’s House of Healing and their mission to help others.
My husband Jake and I live outside of Reading, PA with our two living children, Logan and Abbi. Our daughter Vivian passed away in 2011 at almost 6 months old. During her time with us, we learned so much about how to be a family, how to love fearlessly, and how to be strong for each other. Her lessons are still with us today, and we continue to learn from her in many ways. I loved being her mother, and I continue to show and share my love for her by helping others. I am honored to be a member of the Hayden’s House of Healing board as the Retreat Coordinator.
toni.arnold@haydenshouseofhealing.org
samara gouchman - Alumni Coordinator
In July 2017 I was given the opportunity to attend the Healing of the Heart retreat hosted by Hayden’s Heart. It was a life changing experience. I realized that I wanted to be a part of this amazing organization to help other mothers in their grief. In 2018 I became part of the core team that led the 2018 fall healing of the heart retreat.
I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the Hayden’s House of Healing board as the Alumni Coordinator. I live with my husband Todd and my daughter Sydney in Hamilton, NJ. Our first child, Seth, was born in 2014 at 32 weeks weighing just 2 pounds 9 ounces. He was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot and passed away in May 2015 after complications from his third open heart surgery. The retreat changed my life. In honor of Seth and all of the other angels gone too soon, I am grateful to be part of this amazing organization and hope to help many others dealing with the loss of their precious children.
Email: samara.gouchman@haydenshouseofhealing.org
sarah ingle - alumni coordinator
I was fortunate enough to attend the Healing of the Heart retreat in 2017, only a few months after my daughter died. My experience was truly unique and transformational. I left that retreat with lifelong friendships and a feeling that I really belonged somewhere. I'm honored to have the opportunity to support the families who walk through these doors, knowing that from that moment forward, they will never walk alone.
I live in Virginia with my husband Mark and our two living children. My daughter, Lauren, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and lived for 6 beautiful months before dying from post-surgical complications in December 2016. She made me a mother and taught me the true definitions of love, advocacy, and resilience. I hope to honor her, her life, and all that she gave me through my work with Hayden's House of Healing.
lydia laba - fundraising events coordinator
In August of 2016, I was fortunate to attend the Healing of the Heart Retreat, and it was a life-changing experience for me. Connecting with other moms in this loving space was truly what my heart needed. I immediately realized that I wanted to be a part of this amazing organization and help other grieving families.
I live with my husband and two living children, Michael and Olivia, in Northern, New Jersey. Our daughter, Madeline, was born in October of 2014, and passed away at 15 months old, with dilated cardiomyopathy. She taught our family how to love unconditionally; how to embrace life; and how to persevere. In her memory, I am grateful to be able to share her love with others in such a special way.
I am truly honored to serve as a Fundraising Events Coordinator Co-Chair. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss an idea you may have for a fundraising project that would benefit the House.
Email: lydia.laba@haydenshouseofhealing.org
beth shultz - fundraising events coordinator
I had my first experience with Hayden’s House of Healing when I attended the Healing of the Heart retreat in July of 2017. Walking through the doors on the first day I had no idea what to expect and I walked out those doors thankful for the friendships I had made and knowing I wanted to support the efforts of the organization in any way that I could. I am honored and humbled to hear the stories of the men and women that benefit from this organization and to support them on their journey and I’m thankful everyday for the tribe I have found and the healing it has brought to my life.
I live in Virginia with my husband Ezra and my two living children Addison and Emmett. My daughter Hannah was born with HLHS in June of 2013 and I had 19 amazing months with her before she passed from complications in January of 2015. She was pure joy and sunshine and through the work I do for Hayden’s House of Healing I feel that her light continues to shine and that brings me joy and peace on the never ending journey of child loss.
Email: beth.shultz@haydenshouseofhealing.org
becky mcallister- outreach coordinator
It is my honor and privilege to be part of Hayden’s House of Healing as the Outreach Coordinator. I attended my first retreat in June of 2021 and my life has been forever changed since walking through those doors. I never believed I would find so many other women and families that understood grief at the level I was experiencing it. The sad truth is that there are many families affected by child loss and I knew that I would commit myself to this amazing non profit organization to help others.
I live in Clarksburg, MA with my husband Steve and my daughter Lauren. Our son Evan passed away May 17, 2020 in a tragic ATV accident. From that day forward our lives were forever changed. Hayden’s House has given me purpose again, purpose that I never knew I would find again. I am proud to honor my son’s legacy through the work done here and continue to offer support to all child loss families.
Email: becky.mcallister@haydenshouseofhealing.org
compassionate colleagues
Our Compassionate Colleagues play a large role in the effectiveness of our mission. Each face below is dedicated to furthering our passion to support bereaved parents and families. They each serve on a committee wherein their dedication and input is crucial to the overall success of our retreats and of Hayden’s House of Healing as a whole. Members are also asked to fundraise as well as potentially serve on a team to host retreats at our house.
These individuals have chosen to serve on this board to honor a loved one gone too soon. We are blessed to have them stand alongside us in our dedication and passion in supporting the grieving community.
