MOHA and UT Health Tyler Launch Flagship Bereavement Care Partnership to Support Families in East Texas
In a deeply meaningful step toward improving bereavement care across the state, Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA), a Houston-based nonprofit, has officially launched its first flagship satellite partnership with UT Health Tyler, expanding its reach to serve grieving families in East Texas.
Founded in Fort Bend County, MOHA has been a beacon of hope for families navigating the devastating journey of stillbirth and neonatal loss. Its latest collaboration with UT Health Tyler — nearly a year in the making — represents a significant milestone in the organization’s mission to ensure no family walks through loss alone.
The partnership formally commenced with two impactful days of education and training. On January 21, MOHA cofounders Brittany Kemp, Hollyn Keith, and Anna Noto shared their organization’s mission and bereavement care standards with more than 100 nursing students at The University of Texas at Tyler. The following day, they engaged eight different hospital specialties at UT Health Tyler to integrate MOHA’s compassionate care model into clinical practice.
“The loss of a baby is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a family can face,” said Brittany Kemp, MOHA cofounder. “We are honored to partner with UT Health Tyler to ensure every family has access to compassionate care, meaningful support, and the resources they need in their moment of deepest grief.”
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MOHA’s holistic approach to bereavement care includes a range of thoughtfully curated resources and services, all of which are now being introduced at UT Health Tyler:
- A CuddleCot—a cooling bassinet that gives families more precious time with their baby
- MOHA Angel Boxes—keepsake kits filled with memory-making items
- Angel Ambassadors—trained peer supporters who provide in-person and virtual guidance
- Online bereavement resources for families and healthcare professionals
- Ongoing staff education to elevate the standard of bereavement care
These tools are designed not only to help families honor their child but also to empower hospital staff with the skills and empathy required to walk alongside them in moments of overwhelming grief.
UT Health Tyler is the primary healthcare hub for the East Texas region. As part of the UT Health East Texas system, the hospital serves thousands of patients across the region with advanced care, research, and training programs. This partnership with MOHA enhances UT Health Tyler’s ability to provide holistic support to families during the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
“This partnership embodies our long-held hope to expand our mission, training, and support beyond Houston,” said cofounder Hollyn Keith. “UT Health Tyler represents a foundational step in bringing a standard of bereavement care to families in East Texas who deserve dignity, care, and comfort during unimaginable loss.”
Deep Roots in Fort Bend County, Statewide Impact
Though MOHA’s newest chapter begins in Tyler, the nonprofit’s foundation remains firmly rooted in Fort Bend County. The organization’s leadership is based in the communities of Fulshear and Katy, and its first hospital partnership launched in 2021 at Houston Methodist Sugar Land. Since then, MOHA has provided resources like Angel Boxes and CuddleCots to hospitals throughout the Greater Houston area, including OakBend Medical Center in Richmond and Memorial Hermann Katy.
MOHA continues to grow from its hometown core while setting its sights on a broader impact.
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Creating a Model for Bereavement Care in Texas
This new partnership is not just about expanding services — it’s about setting a new standard for how healthcare systems respond to loss. By equipping hospitals with meaningful resources and training, and by creating community-based support structures, MOHA hopes to replicate the model in other cities across Texas.
“We want Tyler to be a stronghold of support for grieving families — just like we’ve built in Houston,” said Kemp. “Our goal is to create a blueprint of care that can be shared and sustained in every corner of the state.”
Future plans include bringing MOHA’s Coffee & Conversation peer gatherings and growing the presence of MOHA Angel Ambassadors in the Tyler area, further cementing the nonprofit’s commitment to local, ongoing support.
For more information about Mothers of Held Angels and how to support their mission, visit mohanetwork.org or contact hello@mohanetwork.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
