Overview
Transform Pediatric End-of-Life Care with Compassion and Expertise
Death is universal, yet society often avoids conversations about dying—especially with children.
This avoidance leaves pediatric end-of-life care an underserved area, as many professionals feel unprepared to face the unique emotional and developmental challenges of working with dying children and their families.
UVM’s Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate provides advanced death doula training, equipping experienced professionals to address this critical gap with confidence and compassion.
This training prepares end-of-life specialists to navigate the emotional, developmental, and systemic complexities of pediatric cases. You’ll learn to guide families through honest conversations, support siblings and caregivers, and offer non-medical advocacy in moments when traditional healthcare systems often fall short.
Graduates of this program will:
- Understand how developmental stages influence a child’s experience of dying.
- Facilitate sensitive discussions about treatment plans, grief, and decision-making, empowering both children and families.
- Navigate complex family dynamics and ensure that siblings, parents, and caregivers feel seen and supported.
- Approach pediatric end-of-life care with confidence and empathy, transforming fear into preparedness.
When you are with a [dying] 14-year-old, a 2-year-old, or a six-month-old, that’s not how nature’s supposed to go. It is sad, and there is nothing good about it. So, it’s really changing your perspective to, ‘What good can I find out of this?’ You learn to stretch your definition of a good visit. Our role as doulas is to help families stretch their definition of a good moment, even in the hardest times.
Laura Delva, End-of-Life Doula Instructor
What sets UVM apart
Supportive Community
Join a network of practicing doulas through an alumni Facebook group, virtual alumni community meetups, networking events, and quarterly newsletters.
Credibility Through UVM
The first End-of-Life Doula program influenced by UVM’s Robert Larner College of Medicine faculty. Our program produces graduates recognized for their expertise and trusted by families seeking compassionate care.
Instructors from Diverse Fields
Learn from instructors with advanced degrees and active careers in end-of-life care, psychology, and healthcare. Their combined expertise ensures a well-rounded view of end-of-life care.
Continuously Evolving Curriculum
Our program expands with each session, adding new resources and materials based on student feedback to meet the evolving needs and interests of our community.
Self-Care and Personal Growth
Our program goes beyond professional training. Graduates leave not only ready to care for others but with deeper self-awareness and tools for self-care in end-of-life work. Many describe it as both a doula education and a journey of self-discovery.
Extensive Professional Network
UVM End-of-Life Doula alumni are affiliated with the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM, opening doors to additional learning and networking opportunities. When alumni join the Osher Directory, they gain broader visibility and connection within the integrative health community.
What sets UVM apart
One of the Few Pediatric-Specific Doula Training
This program addresses a vital gap in end-of-life care by focusing specifically on the needs of terminally ill children and their families.
Credibility Through UVM’s College of Medicine
Earn a trusted certification from the first End-of-Life Doula program affiliated with a medical school. Influenced by UVM’s Robert Larner College of Medicine faculty, our program produces graduates recognized for their expertise and trusted by families seeking compassionate care.
Real-World Expertise to Prepare You for Practice
Learn from seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge in pediatric end-of-life care, psychology, and family systems. They’ll share strategies to prepare you for real-world challenges.
Join a Trusted Leader in End-of-Life Doula Training
- 4,000+ End-of-Life Doulas Thousands of professionals have trusted UVM to guide their journey in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
- A Pioneer in Doula Education UVM has set the standard for excellence in end-of-life doula education with programs that consistently fill to capacity.
One of the Few Pediatric-Specific Doula Trainings
This program addresses a vital gap in end-of-life care by focusing specifically on the needs of terminally ill children and their families.
Admissions
Who should register?
This program is designed for professionals with some experience in end-of-life care, including:
- End-of-Life doulas
- Counselors and social workers
- Child life specialists
- Hospice staff
- Nurses and physicians
- Palliative care staff
- Social workers
Expand your expertise as an end-of-life specialist with practical tools and insights to enhance your care for pediatric patients and families.
While this course does not have formal prerequisites, we strongly recommend that students have foundational knowledge of end-of-life care. This course does not provide students with the full suite of skills needed to be an end-of-life doula and is meant to build off of existing skills. If you are new to this field, we recommend completing UVM’s End-of-Life Doula Certificate first before enrolling.
End-of-Life Care Programs at UVM Info Session
For more information, feel free to watch the recording of this info session from January 2026! It features UVM End-of-Life Doula program lead, Julie Raymond-Yakoubian, PhD, and other End-of-Life Care program instructors.
Curriculum
This 4-week course is online and asynchronous. There will not be scheduled class times during the week, but you will be expected to progress through each module as a class, with assignments due at regular intervals each week.
It is designed to provide both practical knowledge and emotional preparation for addressing the unique challenges of pediatric end-of-life care. Each week focuses on a different aspect of working with terminally ill children and their families, using a blend of asynchronous learning, self-reflection exercises, and optional live virtual sessions. Course topics include advocacy, family dynamics, and specialized skills in pediatric grief counseling and non-medical support.
The course includes four online modules:
- Week 1: Unique Needs in Pediatrics
- Week 2: Ethical Considerations for Doulas
- Week 3: Childhood Developmental Considerations
- Week 4: End-of-Life Preparation for Children and Families
Schedule of Sessions
Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate
UVM offers the Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate 3 times per year. The start dates are usually in February, July, and October.
| Session | Dates | Registration Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Session | 2/23/26 – 3/22/26 | 2/16/26 | Closed |
| Summer Session | 7/27/26 – 8/23/26 | 7/20/26 | Open |
| Fall Session | 10/12/26 – 11/08/26 | 10/05/26 | Forthcoming |
Dates:
July 27 – August 23, 2026 – Register Now!
Each learning module gave me more clarity as to what a ‘doula heart’ means and the impact we will have on others we serve with heart, compassion, love, and dedication.
2024 End-of-Life Doula Program alum
Student Stories
What people are saying about our End-of-Life Doula certificate program
“Absolutely invaluable course. An incredible amount of information was shared. The discussions and assignments brought the information to life. What I learned in this course will serve me well in my work with children and families. Very, very glad that I chose to participate in this course.”
-Holly Hedman, UVM Pediatric End-of-Life Specialist Alumni
“The brilliant design, the kindness and respectfulness of the instructors, the generosity and care of the cohort. These (courses) are curated with so much artfulness and sensitivity. I really appreciate the time and thought that it takes to build a curriculum like this. Many, many thanks.”
-Paris Priore-Kim, Ed. D, UVM Pediatric End-of-Life Specialist Alumni
“The pediatric course offers valuable information and perspective not only on how children cope with their own mortality, but also on family dynamics surrounding child illness and death. Learning how to effectively support a family through this experience and how to work with other professionals involved in the child’s care will expand a doula’s knowledge base as well as their support toolkit.“
-Matilda Garrido, UVM Pediatric End-of-Life Specialist Alumni & Instructor
LIFE CHANGING COURSE. I’m an RN who deals with death and dying, and this course made me realize how little we all know about how to offer peace and comfort.
For me, the most valuable part was the personal work into my own feelings and experiences around death and dying.
I’ve been a floor nurse for four years, an ICU nurse for 10, and a nurse anesthetist for 15. I’ve seen it all and still learned from this course.
Join an extensive professional network
UVM End-of-Life Doula alumni are affiliated with the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM, opening doors to additional learning and networking opportunities. When alumni join the Osher Directory, they gain broader visibility and connection within the integrative health community.
Instructors
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More InfoJulie Raymond-Yakoubian, PhD
End-of-Life Doula Team Lead
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More InfoFrances Pope, LPC/S, LAC, LCMHC
Instructor
-
More InfoLaura Delva, MSW, LCSW
End of Life Doula Instructor
As a caregiver, when you have children of your own, this work can be triggering, and so there’s a different level of skill that’s needed as an end-of-life worker to be able to navigate those feelings of your own.
Laura Delva, MSW, LCSW
Group Registration Offer – 15% Discount
We are excited to offer a 15% discount for group registrations of 10 or more participants from the same organization. This is a great opportunity to upskill your team while saving on training costs!
How it works:
- Register 10 or more participants from the same organization to receive a 15% discount on the total course fee. The discounted fee is $510.00 per student.
- All participants must be registered together under the same organization to qualify for the discount.
Next steps:
- Please fill out the Group Registration Interest Form.
- Please email a purchase order to PACEFinance@uvm.edu for your group registration with a list of the students to register, including email addresses.
- Once we receive the purchase order, we will issue an invoice for payment.
- Please mail check payment to UVM PACE, 23 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.
- Once payment is made, you will receive an employer discount code to share with your employees so they can self-register for the course. The discount code will be limited to the number of paid students.
- Please submit a new purchase order to add additional students.
Please note:
- No refunds will be issued once payment is completed.
- Students will be placed into different class sections if no specific request for placement is made
- Students will need to purchase the required textbook, Shelter from the Storm: Caring for a child with a Life-Threatening Condition by Joanne Hilden, M.D. And Daniel R. Tobin, M.D. With Karen Lindsey. Copies of this book can be purchased online or at your local bookstore.
Please email learn@uvm.edu if you have any questions.
FAQ
Learn about options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.
The required textbook is Shelter from the Storm: Caring for a child with a Life-Threatening Condition by Joanne Hilden, M.D. And Daniel R. Tobin, M.D. With Karen Lindsey.
No. Non-credit courses do not currently qualify for tuition remission.
No, we do not have payment plans, you must pay in full by credit card when you register.
If a student needs to cancel their attendance they must do so at least 10 business days prior to the start date of the course to receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this 10-business day deadline. Student cancellation requests can be initiated through the Modern Campus LLEE student portal.
The course is four weeks long. You will have access to the entire course at the outset, but it is broken done into four modules that will be worked through week by week as a class. Each module is designed to build upon what was learned in previous modules. You are welcome to read ahead, but there will be assignments and discussions (including responsive discussions) that will be due each week.
For most modules, you will be expected to post to the discussion boards by Friday and/or Sunday, to complete a quiz by Sunday, and to complete the corresponding assignment by Sunday.
You will continue to have access to the course materials for six months after the last day of the course.
We estimate that you will dedicate at least 8-10 hours per week for course work, including readings, videos, and related activities (discussions, assignments, and quizzes).
Yes, the program includes optional Zoom sessions.
Summer 2026 Live Sessions:
- Session 1: Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00pm ET
- Session 2: Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00pm ET
Fall 2026 Live Session dates are to be determined.
The optional, ungraded live sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend during the scheduled time. The live sessions are open to instructors and students from all sections of the current cohort.
If you are a non-credit student seeking accessibility support, please email access@uvm.edu and the UVM Student Accessibility Services team will be able to assist. In your email, please include that you do not have a 95 number/NetID.
Have questions about taking an online or distance education course? Visit the Online and Distance Education FAQ page
Have more basic questions about Professional and Distance Education? Visit our About Us and FAQs pages.
Students who successfully complete this course will automatically be awarded 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Students will receive an official UVM certificate reflecting the earned CEUs.
Many professional organizations, licensing boards, or certifying bodies accept CEUs from accredited providers like the University of Vermont, but acceptance is not automatic and varies by organization. Professionals should always verify in advance with their specific regulating body or association whether the CEUs from the particular UVM course you are taking will count toward their requirements.
To request recognition of UVM CEUs with your professional organization:
- Download or request an official certificate or verification letter for the completed course/program.
- Submit the official UVM documentation directly to your professional organization, licensing board, or certifying body through their required process (often an online portal, application form, or mailed packet).
- Include any additional materials they may require, such as course descriptions, agendas, or learning objectives (available on the program webpage or by request to PACE).
If your organization requires specific formatting or additional verification, contact UVM PACE at learn@uvm.edu or (802) 656-2085, and we will be happy to assist with documentation. Early confirmation with your professional body is recommended to avoid any delays in CEU approval.
Graduates of UVM’s Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate can take advantage of a variety of supports through the Osher Center for Integrative Health, including:
- Join the newly redesigned UVM Integrative Practitioner Network directory. Create a free profile and connect your work with those looking for support and other professionals in the field.
- Attend or Present at a Whole Health Connect Event.
- Option to join the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health.
- Access to the Osher Collaborative, which includes education, research, and networking among an international group of eleven Osher Centers funded by The Bernard Osher Foundation to study, teach, and practice integrative healthcare.
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