Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg

President & CEO

Institute of Reproductive Grief Care^®

Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg is the President and CEO of the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care^®.  She is the global authority on reproductive grief care after pregnancy loss and reproductive loss.

As one of the world’s foremost experts on reproductive grief care and pregnancy loss, Michaelene serves on the editorial board of Newborn, the official journal of the Global Newborn Society, which publishes research related to neonatology. She has also authored the book Changed 2^nd Edition: Making Sense of Your Own or A Loved One’s Abortion Experience, and the booklet Changed (English, Macedonian, Russian, Spanish & Italian). She is also the author of Hope after Loss (English & Spanish) and edited the book Grief & Abortion: Creating a Safe Place to Heal. She has also written numerous articles about reproductive grief and loss and has participated in over 100 radio and television programs.

Michaelene has presented to physician delegates from Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan through the U.S. State Department’s International Visitors Program. Michaelene was also invited to educate psychologists, doctors, nurses, NGOs, social workers and clergy in Ukraine.

Leading  the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care^®, Michaelene spearheaded the creation of its continuing education curricula that is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the State of California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). She also led the approval of the Institute by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs.

Michaelene has also established the Institute firmly at the forefront of creating impartial and impactful research to understand the way individuals process reproductive losses, and to establish global standards for offering compassionate care. The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care has led and participated in multiple research studies, including those published in the peer-review journal Health Communication.

Dr. Fredenburg has been a non-profit executive for over 25 years, founding the Institute under its former name on April 28, 2008. She received her Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris clausa, from Divine Mercy University. For a glimpse into the fascinating and challenging story of a lifetime dedicated to helping those impacted by reproductive loss, see Dr. Fredenburg’s speech at the Divine Mercy University 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

Michaelene lives in San Diego and enjoys ballet, the beach, reading and time with her family.