What Planetree does

Planetree International, Inc. is a Connecticut-based not-for-profit organization founded in 1978, headquartered in Derby, Connecticut, with a mission to humanize healthcare through person-centered care (PCC) transformation. The organization operates a certification, consulting, and membership model targeting healthcare providers globally, with documented impact across 800+ organizations in 35 countries and 9 million+ patients served. Its core offering is a tiered Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold with Distinction) that assesses and recognizes healthcare organizations for cultural transformation, alongside direct consulting engagements, training programs, and solution modules covering staff retention, patient experience, leadership transformation, quality and safety, communication, and DEIB.

The underlying technology is the evidence-based Planetree PCC Framework, delivered primarily through human-led advisory engagements rather than a software platform. Supporting digital infrastructure includes the Planetree Hub (member community portal with forums and resources), Planetree Academy (online learning platform offering AMA PRA Category 1 Credit courses), and the Planetree Store (e-commerce for branded merchandise and books). No public APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML capabilities are identified. The organization distributes through direct enterprise sales, supplemented by the Planetree International Conference (annual), digital self-serve platforms, and member-driven referrals.

Revenue is generated through organization membership subscriptions (annual recurring), certification program fees (professional services), consulting engagements, training and education programs, conference attendance, and merchandise sales. Pricing for consulting, certification, and membership is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The organization has no parent company, no external investment, and operates as a mission-driven nonprofit with a Board of Trustees governance structure. Notable governance includes President Susan Frampton, COO/CIO Dustin Fennell, Founder Angelica Thieriot, and regional Executive Directors. The organization has no disclosed revenue figures in source materials.

Name

Planetree

Legal name

Planetree International, Inc.

Website

https://planetree.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Planetree is a 1978-founded nonprofit that certifies and coaches healthcare organizations in person-centered care. It serves 800+ healthcare providers across 35 countries via tiered certification (Bronze/Silver/Gold), consulting, and annual memberships, supported by the Hub community and Academy learning platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Organization membership provides access to ongoing person-centered education, implementation tools and resources, member-only discounts to Planetree programs and services, and access to an engaged online community of Planetree partners worldwide.
2. Certification Programs: Healthcare organizations pay for certification assessments and program participation to achieve Person-Centered Care Certification at various levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold with Distinction).
3. Consulting Services: Direct consulting engagements with healthcare organizations to guide cultural transformation toward person-centered care excellence.
4. Training and Education: Online clinician communication programs offering AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, individual Fellow and Professional Certificate programs, and online courses through Planetree Academy.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including water bottles, pins, dry erase boards, and books through the Planetree Store.
6. Events: Revenue from the annual Planetree International Conference and other educational events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Planetree is a nonprofit organization that provides Person-Centered Care (PCC) certification, consulting, and training services to healthcare organizations globally. Its core offerings include a multi-tier certification program (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold with Distinction), advisory consulting for cultural transformation, and an annual membership program delivering education, tools, and community access to member hospitals, health systems, and long-term care providers.

Product overview

Planetree is a healthcare quality improvement organization offering a comprehensive suite of services centered on Person-Centered Care (PCC) transformation. The core offering is the Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care, a rigorous assessment program awarding Bronze, Silver, or Gold Certification (with optional Distinction for Leadership and Innovation) to healthcare organizations. Supporting this are consulting services and solution modules covering Staff Retention & Engagement, Patient Experience, Leadership Transformation, Training, Communication & Skill Building, Quality & Safety, and DEIB. Digital platforms include Planetree Academy (online learning), the Planetree Hub (member community portal), and the Planetree Store (merchandise and books). Membership provides ongoing education, implementation tools, member discounts, and access to the Hub community. The organization also publishes resources like the Family Presence Policy Decision-Making Toolkit and hosts an annual International Conference. Planetree operates globally with 9 million+ patients impacted, 800+ organizations engaged, and presence in 35 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care A rigorous multi-tier certification program that assesses and recognizes healthcare organizations achieving excellence in person-centered care. Organizations can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold Certification with optional Distinction for Leadership and Innovation. Now formally included in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals 2025 methodology.
• Consulting Services Expert advisory and coaching services guiding healthcare organizations through assessment, co-design, implementation, and sustainment of person-centered care cultural transformation. Delivered through solution areas including Staff Retention & Engagement, Patient Experience, Leadership Transformation, Communication & Skill Building, Quality & Safety, and DEIB.
• Planetree Membership Annual subscription membership program providing healthcare organizations with ongoing person-centered education, implementation tools, member-only discounts on Planetree programs and services, and access to the Planetree Hub global community of person-centered caregivers.
• Planetree Academy Exclusive online learning platform providing courses, programs, and webinars to increase organizational knowledge of person-centered care. Includes 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for physicians. Included as a benefit of Planetree Membership.
• Planetree Hub Exclusive online member portal and community platform for Planetree members to connect, share best practices, engage with peers, and access resources. Features forums, message boards, and collaborative spaces.
• Training Programs Education and training offerings including workshops, retreats, and skill-building programs for clinical and non-clinical staff on person-centered care principles and practices. Includes clinician communication training offering AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
• Planetree International Conference Annual international conference providing education and networking opportunities for person-centered care professionals worldwide. Offered at member-exclusive discount pricing.
• Planetree Store Online store offering branded merchandise (water bottles, pins, dry erase boards, apparel) and evidence-based books on person-centered care topics by authors including Wendy Leebov, Colin Coggins, and Garrett Brown.
• Fellow and Professional Certificate Programs Professional development and credential programs for individuals seeking to advance their expertise in person-centered care, available at member-exclusive pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 Million+ patients impacted globally through Planetree framework implementation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NewsweekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Newsweek and Statista officially added Planetree Certification to the methodology used in the 2025 World’s Best Hospitals ranking. This partnership validates Planetree’s rigor and evidence base, enhancing global credibility of Planetree Certification.
• Post-ICU JournalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPost-ICU Journal provides a digital, secure, and private ICU diary proven to prevent or alleviate Post-ICU Syndrome (PICS) for both patients and families. Partnered as an implementation partner supporting comprehensive patient care.
• Thomas CuisineminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThomas Cuisine creates culinary experiences to enhance the patient-family experience through delicious food and genuine service. Partnered to support the food service component of person-centered care environments.
• ISQuacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) has formally recognized Planetree’s Person-Centered Care Certification Standards as meeting international quality benchmarks (2024-2028).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA): Membership-based professional organization serving healthcare finance leaders with education, certification, peer networking, and resources. Comparable to Planetree in operating a mission-driven, membership-funded nonprofit model with education, certification, and community offerings aimed at healthcare professionals.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI): Nonprofit organization focused on healthcare quality and patient safety improvement worldwide. Directly comparable as a mission-driven organization that delivers training, certification-style programs, and consulting to hospitals and health systems pursuing cultural and clinical improvement.
• The Beryl Institute: Global community of practice dedicated to improving the patient experience in healthcare. Closely comparable to Planetree through its membership model, community platform, PX certification, and research/content resources offered to healthcare provider organizations.

Emerging players

• The DAISY Foundation: Nonprofit organization honoring nurses and promoting compassionate care through recognition programs adopted by thousands of hospitals. Comparable as a nonprofit focused on humanizing healthcare and elevating the patient/family and staff experience, with similar values and provider buyer base.

Broad incumbents

• Press Ganey: Largest patient experience measurement and analytics firm for U.S. healthcare. Comparable because both serve the same buyer (hospital leadership) on patient experience improvement, with Press Ganey providing measurement and Planetree providing transformation methodology.
• NRC Health: Healthcare-focused market research and patient experience firm offering measurement, benchmarking, and improvement solutions to hospitals. Comparable in targeting the same healthcare provider buyer on patient experience and loyalty outcomes.
• Huron Consulting (Studer Group): Global consulting firm with a large healthcare practice (including the Studer Group) focused on operational improvement, leadership development, and patient experience for hospitals and health systems. Comparable as a direct consulting competitor in cultural transformation engagements.
• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): Independent nonprofit that accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. Comparable as a healthcare quality accreditation body operating in similar buyer segments with a recognized credential that hospitals pursue for reputational and contracting benefits.
• The Joint Commission: The largest and most recognized U.S. hospital accreditation body. Comparable because Planetree's certification now sits alongside Joint Commission accreditation in Newsweek's methodology; both assess and credential healthcare organizations on quality standards.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC Magnet): Administers the Magnet Recognition Program for nursing excellence, which is the primary comparator listed alongside Planetree PCC Certification in Newsweek's 2025 methodology. Both are nursing/care-driven credentialing programs targeting hospital buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Planetree
• Facebookfacebook.com/PlanetreeInc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planetree