Institute of Reproductive Grief Care

What Institute of Reproductive Grief Care does

The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that develops and delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed education and training programs on reproductive grief care for healthcare professionals. Its core products center on the Emergency Care Program (training for hospital emergency departments on compassionate care for patients experiencing pregnancy loss), three role-specific certificate programs delivered via the CD2 Learning online platform (Medical Certificate with 5 ANCC Contact Hours, Mental Health Certificate with 4 CEs, and an Individual Certificate for community members), the Train-the-Trainer program for scaling within hospital systems, and the Compassionate Care Designation that formally recognizes trained hospitals. The Institute is also developing RGCare5, a five-question screening tool for complicated grief after pregnancy loss, currently in Phase 4 of 5 validation phases with anticipated 2027 launch, and conducts peer-reviewed research including a publication in the Journal of Emergency Nursing demonstrating measurable improvements in staff knowledge, attitudes, and supportive care post-intervention.

The organization operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise field sales to hospitals and health systems (47+ healthcare organizations and 36 emergency department locations running the program), self-serve online certification for individuals and small teams, an international channel-partner model (most notably Angels Care in Ukraine, which has certified 10 of the country's 15 public hospitals), and an annual symposium that draws healthcare professionals from multiple states and countries. Revenue is generated through fee-based hospital training contracts, paid certificate programs, paid symposium registration, and tax-deductible donations (Tax ID #99-1533748). Named enterprise customers include Scripps Health, CommonSpirit Mountain Region (20+ hospitals), Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, La Maestra Community Health Centers, and Family Health Centers of San Diego, with research collaborations across Baylor College of Medicine, IUPUI, SDSU, and Saint Martin's University.

Name

Institute of Reproductive Grief Care

Legal name

Institute of Reproductive Grief Care®

Website

https://reproductivegrief.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care is a San Diego-based nonprofit that delivers evidence-based education, certificate programs, and screening tools to healthcare professionals serving patients experiencing reproductive loss, with 47+ hospital partners and 36 emergency department locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Professional Training and Certification

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lactation, Postpartum & Perinatal Support Services (HLAFAJAN), Family Planning & Contraception (Including Abortion Care) (HLAKAJAG)

Keywords

• Reproductive grief care
• Perinatal bereavement education
• Healthcare staff training
• Pregnancy loss support
• Mental health certification

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Certificate Programs: On-demand certificate programs for medical professionals (5 contact hours), mental health professionals (4 CEs), and individuals. Custom pricing available for teams.
2. Hospital Training Programs: Fee-based training programs for hospitals implementing the Emergency Care Program, including Train-the-Trainer and Compassionate Care Designation certification.
3. Symposium Revenue: Annual symposium generates revenue through registration fees for healthcare professionals and students.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission. All gifts are tax deductible under Tax ID #99-1533748.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care educates, trains, and certifies healthcare professionals and laypersons in evidence-based, trauma-informed reproductive grief care following pregnancy loss. Its core offerings include the Emergency Care Program for hospital ED teams, three role-specific certificate programs (Medical, Mental Health, Individual), the Train-the-Trainer program, the Compassionate Care Designation for hospitals, and the in-development RGCare5 reproductive grief screening tool.

Product overview

The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care offers a comprehensive suite of education and training products focused on reproductive grief care following pregnancy loss. The core offerings include the Emergency Care Program for hospital emergency departments and the RGCare5 Reproductive Grief Screening Tool (in development). The portfolio is structured around three certificate programs (Medical Certificate, Mental Health Certificate, and Individual Certificate) targeting different professional audiences. Additional offerings include the Compassionate Care Designation for hospital certification and the Train-the-Trainer Program for scaling organizational impact. The Institute also hosts an Annual Symposium for ongoing professional education. The product architecture is a platform-plus-modules model where the Emergency Care Program and RGCare5 serve as foundational offerings, supplemented by role-specific certification programs and recognition initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Care Program Evidence-based training program for hospital emergency departments to equip frontline medical teams with trauma-informed reproductive grief care skills, including communication strategies, bereavement protocols, and compassionate care practices. Designed for hospital ED teams serving the 900,000 U.S. patients who annually seek care for early pregnancy loss concerns.
• Medical Certificate Program Self-paced certificate program for physicians, nurses, midwives, emergency department clinicians, and medical trainees focused on compassionate clinical care and communication after reproductive loss. Offers 5 ANCC Contact Hours.
• Mental Health Certificate Program Self-paced certificate program for therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers covering therapeutic understanding and support of reproductive grief, including disenfranchised grief, infertility couples work, and clinical resilience. Offers 4 CEs.
• Individual Certificate Program Foundational certificate program for laypersons, support staff, ministry leaders, HR professionals, advocates, and community members providing compassionate support in personal, community, or workplace settings. No clinical training required and no CEs offered.
• Compassionate Care Designation Formal recognition program for hospitals that complete the Emergency Care Program, signifying excellence in reproductive grief care and commitment to delivering consistent, compassionate support.
• Train-the-Trainer Program Program that empowers team leads within healthcare organizations to train, reinforce, and scale reproductive grief care practices across their organization, ensuring consistent compassionate care through certified internal instructors.
• Annual Symposium Annual educational symposium for healthcare professionals, researchers, and community leaders focused on advancing understanding, education, research, and practice related to reproductive grief care. Offers CE credits and includes poster presentations and networking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant improvements in emotional support, patient-centered care, discharge planning, bereavement care, community resources, staff support, and communication skills post-intervention
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indiana University - Indianapolis (IUPUI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research collaboration with Dr. Maria Brann and Dr. Jennifer J. Bute from the Department of Communication Studies. Phase 2 explored patient preferences for the screening tool. Dr. Brann serves as Healthcare Task Force Co-Chair.
• Scripps HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScripps Mercy Hospital partnered with the Institute for training emergency department staff. In 2022, 33 nurses, social workers, chaplains, and ancillary staff received intensive training to become department leads. The collaboration led to a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing showing significant improvements in staff knowledge, attitudes, and supportive care.
• CommonSpirit Mountain RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing training partnership with CommonSpirit Mountain Region. 42 leaders representing over 20 hospitals trained, with 6 individuals trained as specialized reproductive grief care trainers to extend education across their hospitals.
• La Maestra Community Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Maestra is collaborating with the Institute to transform reproductive grief care across its entire system. The Institute is certifying two instructors who will prepare 500+ staff members to provide compassionate grief care organization-wide. La Maestra serves 45,000 patients annually.
• Texas Children's Pavilion for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerinatal Bereavement Coordinator participated in coaching and consulting to enhance expertise. Now preparing to lead training for 400 nurses and providers to improve policies and procedures related to reproductive loss.
• Angels Care (Ukraine)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUkrainian organization that translated, filmed, and launched Institute's courses for medical professionals. 10 of Ukraine's 15 public hospitals have fully completed training certified by Ukraine's Ministry of Health. Creating cultural shift in how reproductive loss is discussed.
• Baylor College of Medicine HoustoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase 1 research led by Dr. Cara Buskmiller confirmed the RGCare5 screening tool's efficacy. Dr. Buskmiller is a board certified OB/GYN and founding board member of the Institute's research efforts.
• San Diego State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Rebecca Mattson, Assistant Professor of Nursing, collaborated on the groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing. Research examined the impact of educational intervention on emergency department staff.
• Saint Martin's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Shandeigh 'Nikki' Berry, Assistant Professor, co-authored the study published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing. Dr. Berry also serves as the Institute's Accredited Provider Program Director.
• Grossmont Healthcare DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost partner for the Annual Symposium, providing the district auditorium for the event. Demonstrates community support for reproductive grief care education.
• Oklahoma Milk Bank & UC Health Milk BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew partners in 2024, expanding the Institute's network of maternal and infant health organizations.
• Catholic Charities USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted in-depth workshop that was declared 'BEST EVER' by Catholic Charities USA, demonstrating the value of the Institute's training programs.
• National Association of Perinatal Social WorkersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInstitute CEO delivered keynote presentation at NAPSW, expanding reach to perinatal social work professionals.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Hand to Hold: Hand to Hold provides support, education, and resources for families experiencing NICU and infant loss, including professional training components. It overlaps the Institute on perinatal bereavement education and family support.
• MISS Foundation: MISS Foundation provides crisis and long-term bereavement support and professional training across perinatal and pediatric death. It is a smaller, community-rooted nonprofit with overlapping training and grief-support services.
• Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS): PALS focuses specifically on support and clinician education around pregnancy following a loss, adjacent to the Institute's reproductive grief clinical training mission and overlapping audience.
• Return to Zero: HOPE: Return to Zero: HOPE is a nonprofit focused on pregnancy and infant loss support, providing peer support groups, professional training, and resources for bereaved families. It targets overlapping clinical and community audiences in reproductive grief care.

Others

• CD2 Learning: CD2 Learning is the Institute's online learning management system and platform infrastructure partner that hosts the certificate programs. It is an enabler rather than a competitor, but represents a critical distribution dependency.

Broad incumbents

• Relias: Relias is a large healthcare-focused eLearning platform providing continuing education and compliance training to hospitals, behavioral health providers, and post-acute facilities. It overlaps with the Institute's certificate and ED training offerings as a workforce education competitor.
• HealthStream: HealthStream is a scaled healthcare workforce education and training platform serving hospitals and health systems. It is a broad incumbent that competes for the same enterprise training budgets as the Institute's Emergency Care Program and certificate offerings.
• March of Dimes: March of Dimes is a major nonprofit providing maternal and infant health education, research, and provider training. It overlaps with the Institute's maternal health education, professional training, and awareness mission at a broader scale.

Direct peers

• Postpartum Support International: PSI provides education, training, and certification to clinicians and supporters addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including reproductive loss. Both organizations target mental health professionals, healthcare systems, and community members on perinatal mental health topics.
• Resolve Through Sharing: Resolve Through Sharing is a long-established hospital-based bereavement education program that trains perinatal loss teams, including EDs, in grief care protocols. It is the most direct competitor to the Institute's Emergency Care Program and Compassionate Care Designation across similar hospital customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PregnancyGrief
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReproductiveGrief
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifeperspectives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Institute of Reproductive Grief Care