A Day to Learn How to Be More Confident, More Present, and More Effective in End-of-Life Care
October 28th, 2026
What to Expect
LaborOut is a one-day, in-person gathering for death doulas, healthcare professionals, and heart-led practitioners who are reshaping how we talk about death, dying, and end-of-life care. It blends practical education, honest conversation, and deep human connection, all in a space designed to feel safe, expansive, and real.
Practical Skills You Can Use Everyday
Learn exactly how to guide end-of-life conversations with clarity and confidence
Strengthen your approach to supporting families through conflict and decision-making
Walk away with frameworks you can apply in your very next client interaction
Honest Conversations About Emotional + Ethical Realities
Address burnout, boundaries, and emotional load head-on
Ask direct questions about scope, ethics, and real-life scenarios
Gain language for the situations that feel complicated or uncomfortable
Meet other doulas and professionals building in this space
Exchange referrals, resources, and collaboration opportunities
Build relationships that extend beyond a single event
Inspiration + Building Community
Achieve Clarity in Your Practice
Identify where you want to grow in your practice
Refine how you talk about your work and who you serve
Leave with a clearer plan for your next step in death care
Will you join us for a day of transformation, connection and help create the new standard of deathcare?
“To help someone transition is not to lead them away from life, but to walk beside them with steadiness, love, and deep respect for what is unfolding.”
Travel & Accommodations
The LaborOut Conference will take place at Cleveland State University and will bring together death doulas, caregivers, and end-of-life professionals from around the world.
Additional information on travel, lodging, and accommodations will be shared shortly.
Details Coming Soon…
Meet Our Speakers
Kacie Gikonyo is a registered nurse, death doula, public speaker, and online educator, and the founder of Death Doula School. She is also the author of Laboring Out of Life, equipping heart-led professionals with the skills and confidence to transform end-of-life care while building meaningful, sustainable practices of their own.
Death Doula + Educator
Kacie Gikonyo, RN
Mikey Marin, known as Mikey the Death Doula, is the founder of Healing Hearts House LLC, offering compassionate, holistic end-of-life care. She supports individuals and families with comfort, education, advocacy, and steady emotional presence.
Mikey Marin
Death Doula + Reiki Master
Chelsey Ernst, PA-C
Chelsey Ernst, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant with over a decade of experience and a deep commitment to palliative and end-of-life care. She is the creator of Your Palliative PA, an educational platform dedicated to demystifying serious illness, advance care planning, and death.
Founder of Your Palliative PA
Dr. Bob Uslander is a pioneer in palliative and end-of-life care and will serve as the keynote speaker. As co-founder and medical director of Empowered Palliative Care and Empowered Endings, he brings over 37 years of experience leading a more holistic, compassionate approach to caring for patients and supporting their families. Through his work, he continues to inspire a new vision for end-of-life care—one rooted in dignity, presence, and empowered support.
Palliative Care Physician + Founder, Empowered Endings
Dr. Bob Uslander, MD
Lisa Vigil Schattinger is an advocate for the U.S. Model of medical aid-in-dying and patient autonomy in end-of-life care. Her professional trajectory began in women's health and evolved into a dedicated focus on supporting terminally ill individuals seeking patient-centered end-of-life options. As board president of the Death with Dignity National Center, Lisa provides dual-level leadership, shaping national policy while simultaneously driving advocacy for state-level end-of-life options.
Lisa Vigil Schattinger, MSN, RN
Founder, End of Life Options
Molly McMahon Graziano
Co-founder of the Aid in Dying Collaborative
Molly McMahon Graziano is a leader in compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare advocacy, education, and nonprofit leadership. As co-founder of the Aid in Dying Collaborative, she works with organizations across the U.S. to expand access to end-of-life options, including Medical Aid in Dying, work deeply informed by her personal experience caring for her parents.
“We’re all just walking each other home.”
Q&A
-
The LaborOut Conference is for death doulas, caregivers, healthcare professionals, educators, and heart-led practitioners who are involved in — or curious about — end-of-life care. Whether you’re just beginning or deeply experienced, this space is designed to meet you where you are.
-
Yes. We welcome volunteers who feel aligned with the mission and energy of LaborOut. Please complete the form HERE to apply for volunteer opportunities.
-
Absolutely. LaborOut offers meaningful sponsorship opportunities for organizations and individuals who support compassionate, ethical, and human-centered death care. Community partners CLICK HERE and Corporate sponsors CLICK HERE.
-
Yes. Connection is a core part of LaborOut. You’ll have time for intentional conversations, community building, and relationship-centered networking throughout the day.
-
Full details, including ticket options and registration information, can be found HERE. *Early bird pricing available NOW!
Sponsorship Information
LaborOut offers meaningful sponsorship opportunities for organizations aligned with compassionate, human-centered end-of-life care. By partnering with us, you’ll connect directly with engaged death doulas, caregivers, and healthcare professionals while positioning your brand within a growing global movement.
We offer tailored partnership options for both community partners and corporate sponsors, with varying levels of visibility, engagement, and impact. Explore the options to find the right fit for your organization.
Find Details Below:
we saved you a seat
You belong in this room.