Whether you're a parent, caregiver, healthcare professional, donor, or advocate, you play an important role in improving the lives of children born with congenital heart disease.
Together, we're creating a future where emotional support is recognized as an essential part of pediatric cardiac care—not an afterthought.
Overview
We're glad you're here.
Because surviving isn't the only thing families need.
Why We Exist
Our Mission
To build trusted relationships with families navigating congenital heart disease, providing compassionate, trauma-informed guidance and support from diagnosis through every stage of the journey.
Our Promise
To bridge the emotional gaps that exist alongside world-class medical care by ensuring every family has someone walking beside them.
Our Vision
A future where every family navigating congenital heart disease feels supported, connected, and never has to face the journey alone.
Healing happens through connection.
What We Believe
Medical care saves lives. Human connection helps families survive everything that comes with it.
We believe emotional support should exist alongside medical care—not just after discharge.
We advance this work through:
• Family Navigation
• Parent Mentorship
• Peer Support
• Mental Health Partnerships
• Wellness Programs
• Community Building
• Healthcare Collaboration
A Better CHD Journey for Every Family.
Our Long-term Vision
Our goal extends far beyond one hospital.
We're building a national model of trauma-informed family support that connects families with the right people, resources, and programs at every stage of congenital heart disease.
We envision a future where:
• Every newly diagnosed family has a trusted guide.
• Parents never face medical trauma alone.
• Emotional care is integrated into pediatric cardiac programs.
• Families remain connected long after discharge.
• Hospitals and nonprofits work together instead of separately.
Our Values
Grounded in Compassion,
Guided by Connection
Our values guide how we support families, build relationships, and create trauma-informed programs for the CHD community.
Begin with Compassion
Every interaction begins with listening. Families don't need someone to fix everything—they need someone willing to sit beside them through uncertainty.
Build Relationships
Healing happens through trusted relationships. We believe lasting support comes from consistency, not one-time interventions.
Grow Together
Parents, providers, nonprofits, and communities each hold part of the solution. We are strongest when we work together.
Lead with Hope
Hope doesn't ignore reality. Hope helps families keep moving forward one day at a time.
Innovate Fearlessly
We listen to families, identify unmet needs, and create new programs where support doesn't yet exist.
What Makes Linked by Love Different
Most organizations focus on one moment.
We focus on the entire journey.
Our approach follows families across every phase of congenital heart disease—not just during hospitalization, or just after discharge.
Instead of replacing existing organizations, we work alongside hospitals and nonprofit partners to connect families with the support they need, exactly when they need it.
Our Support Doesn't Start at Discharge
Our Story
Born From Experience.
Built for Every Family.
Our founders’ stories began at their 20 week anatomy scan when their child was diagnosed with a single ventricle congenital heart disease.
They experienced fear, isolation, unanswered questions, and the emotional toll that follows families long after they leave the hospital.
Linked by Love was created so future families wouldn't have to navigate that journey alone.
Today, we're working alongside families, healthcare professionals, and nonprofit partners to create a better system of support for every CHD family.
Our Journey
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Born Brave Boutique launched to fund support for the CHD community.
410 Gifts Delivered to CHD families
$235 Given Directly to CHD families
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Virtual support groups begin.
150+ Members
Consistant attendance
Guest Speakers
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Linked by Love nonprofit established.
Partnership with Vanderbilt begins.
Wellness initiative launched.
Parent Mentor Program planning begins.
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National trauma-informed family navigation model.
Connecting with CHD families at diagnosis and supporting them through every phase of the journey.
Noemi
Healthcare Partnerships Advisor
continues to support Linked by Love by providing guidance and helping strengthen relationships with children's hospitals, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
Meet Our Team
Maureen Elliot
Co-Founder & President
Maureen Elliott is the Co-Founder and President of the Board for Linked By Love. Her passion for supporting congenital heart disease (CHD) families grew through a lifelong friendship with fellow co-founder Natalie. Walking beside Natalie and her family through her goddaughter Melanie’s CHD journey gave Maureen a firsthand look at the strength, courage, and hope that CHD families carry every day. Those experiences inspired the two friends to create Linked By Love.
Today, Maureen is committed to ensuring that no family has to navigate congenital heart disease alone. Maureen is passionate about bringing people together to better serve the CHD community. By building relationships with hospitals, nonprofits, mental health professionals, and community organizations nationwide, she hopes to create a network that connects families with trusted resources, peer support, and compassionate guidance at every stage of their journey.
Natalie Malcolm
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Natalie is the Co-founder of Linked by Love and a heart mom to her daughter, Melanie, who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). After spending months living inside a children's hospital and navigating the overwhelming realities of congenital heart disease, she experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to find the right support at the right time.
Driven by her family's journey, Natalie created Linked by Love to ensure no CHD family has to navigate this path alone. Her passion is connecting families with trusted resources, building meaningful partnerships, and creating programs that bring comfort, guidance, and hope throughout every stage of the congenital heart disease journey.
Stephanie
Treasurer
Write story here
Kelsey Hornick
PT, PCES, RYT-200
Pelvic Floor and Orthopedic Physical Therapist, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist & Registered Yoga Instructor
Wellness Program Director
Kelsey believes that supporting a mother changes the trajectory of an entire family. She is deeply dedicated to guiding mamas through challenging seasons by helping them restore their minds and reclaim their bodies. Her holistic approach focuses heavily on nervous system regulation, beautifully integrating therapeutic meditations be mindful yoga practice to help women find safety and stillness.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, registered yoga instructor, and the owner of Nourish Physio and Yoga, Kelsey brings this specialized expertise to both her community work and her private practice. She blends her clinical background with restorative movement to bridge the gap between physical healing and mental well-being. Whether hosting community workshops or working with clients one-on-one, Kelsey is committed to providing mamas with the essential, nurturing tools they need to heal from the inside out.
Stephanie Gravley
Treasurer & Support Group Coordinator
Stephanie is a wife, mother of three, and passionate advocate for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their families. During her pregnancy with her youngest child, she and her husband received the life-changing diagnosis of a complex congenital heart defect (tricuspid atresia, single ventricle, mitral valve leak). This was an experience that inspired her dedication to supporting other families navigating similar journeys.
With a background in early childhood development, Stephanie combines her professional knowledge with her lived experience to provide compassionate support and advocacy.
Stephanie and her family live in Florida, where she continues to advocate for improved family-centered care, greater awareness of congenital heart disease, and stronger support systems for children with complex medical needs and the people who love them.
Get Involved
Help Us Change the CHD Journey
Whether you're a family looking for support, a healthcare professional or CHD nonprofit interested in partnering, or someone who wants to make a difference, there's a place for you in our community.