Nakia Dawson-Douglas

Nakia Dawson-Douglas is intake specialist for the Palliative Care Service at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Since joining the service in 2013, Nakia has been an integral member of the clinic team, handling new patient referrals, setting up appointments for patients, and ensuring that they receive their prescriptions. She sees patients come in with varying stages of disease and a diversity of cancers, and she works hard to assure that patients and families feel well supported and listened to from their initial contact with our team.

Outside of work, Nakia is the Founder and President of The Bereavement Care Network, Inc. (BCN), a non-profit organization that assists families touched by gun violence and homicide in New Haven. As a lifelong resident of the city, Nakia was inspired to launch this work out of her own family's experience. BCN offers financial and emotional support and connects families with the resources they may need in the aftermath of their loved ones' death.

In recognition of her work with BCN, Nakia was awarded the Greater New Haven Association of Black Social Workers Community Service Award in 2013 and the Community Service Award from Royal Priesthood in 2018. She also chairs the City of New Haven Peace Commission and is missionary at her church, Mount Calvary Deliverance Tabernacle

Nakia feels that her work with BCN and the Palliative Care Service is intertwined, helping those when they need it most. Nakia is the wife of Marquis Douglas and the mother of two beautiful daughters, India and Tayden.