National Healthcare Provider Winner

Alice Monroe is a woman of unselfish and inspirational wisdom. As a registered nurse, she provides quiet counsel and sincere support for people who are enduring the tragic loss of a loved one. Because of her personal experience with loss, Alice's professional and personal life often come together. After the tragic death of her own son, she realized it was her calling to reach out to parents following the death of a child.  In an effort to provide a special place for grieving parents to find peace and solitude, Alice and her husband constructed a natural chapel among the rocks in the canyon behind their home.  Here, families and friends are invited to gather to gain support, find and receive friendship, and begin to heal.

Alice has dedicated her energy and talent to several areas of volunteer work; any of which, by itself, would be meritorious.  She has helped to change the way victims are notified of the death of a loved one by teaching law enforcement and medical professionals "compassionate death notification" tactics that touch the hearts of professionals and victims during human tragedies.  Alice voluntarily carries a pager and is on call to respond to crime scenes to assist victims as they deal with their trauma.

She also serves as the director of her region's chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a national organization dedicated to providing emotional support to bereaved parents and their family members.  She has been instrumental in the establishment of other chapters around the country as well. Each summer she and her husband open their ranch home to The Compassionate Friends group for a spiritual remembrance of their loved ones.

Alice's gift comes from a quiet, loving and giving spirit.  Her deep and un-abiding faith has carried her through many personal challenges and losses --experience that allows her to avail herself to others in times of need.  She has created a legacy by making a difference in lives of victims when tragedy and loss threaten to leave them helpless.  She is a rare community spirit who is valued personally by all who know her.