2026 Good Grief Conference

The Good Grief Conference is a dynamic, interprofessional virtual gathering that brings together chaplains, clinicians, social workers, psychologists, volunteers, and caregivers to deepen their understanding of grief and strengthen the ways they support individuals and communities through loss. Designed to inspire reflection, connection, and renewed purpose, the conference offers a meaningful space for participants to engage with diverse perspectives and enhance their approach to compassionate, person-centered care.

This year's topics include:
- Delivering difficult news with clarity and compassion
- Understanding moral injury and its connection to grief
- Recognizing grief beyond death
- Exploring cultural and religious perspectives on suffering
- Harnessing the healing power of human-animal interactions and therapies

1. Apply effective grief support strategies for individuals experiencing grief related to health crises, chronic or life-changing conditions, end-of-life, or bereavement.

Click on "Request Notification" button to receive an email when registration is open.

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Cancellation Policy
Registration fee, less a 15% non-refundable administrative fee, will be refunded only if written notice of cancellation is received via email to [email protected] on or before September 19, 2026. There will be no refunds after this date.

In support of improving patient care, VCU Health Continuing Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

VCU Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

VCU Health designates this activity for a maximum of 6.25 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

6.25 CE credits will be awarded for psychologists attending the entire program. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibly for the content of the programs.

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, VCU Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. VCU Health maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 6.25 ASWB continuing education credits.

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 6.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Accommodation
All participants have the right to participate in this continuing education activity without discrimination due to age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex (sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and pregnancy), protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact us at [email protected] for more information. Requests for accommodations must be received 21 days prior to activity start date.

Complaint Policy and Resolution Process
All complaints must be made in writing to [email protected].

All complaints will be logged into the complaint log. The Director, Continuing Education will attempt to resolve the complaint within the first contact, when possible, and will respond to the client and customer's concerns within 5 business days of the initial complaint. At the time of the first contact, Director, Continuing Education will inform the complainant if more time will be needed to research the complaint.

If the complaint is still unresolved after communication with the Director, Continuing Education, or if the initial complaint is not addressed in a timely manner, the complainant may contact the President & CEO, UHS-PEP. The President & CEO will then contact the complainant and endeavor to resolve the complaint within 10 business days after being contacted.

The complaint log will be regularly reviewed to identify areas of operations and service that may require improvement. The Director, Continuing Education will research reoccurring complaint matters and recommend process and procedure changes, when appropriate. These changes will be noted on the Complaint Resolution Log, and any necessary policy and/or procedure updates will be made within 15 business days thereafter.

Disclaimers
Minimum and maximum numbers for attendance at this event have been established, and we reserve the right to substitute speakers/topics, adjust credit hours, or cancel if necessary.

By attending this event you grant VCU Health Continuing Education the right at the event to record, film, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media and to distribute, broadcast, use, or otherwise disseminate, in perpetuity, such media without any further approval from or any payment to you. 

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

VCU Health Continuing Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

All VCU and VCU Health reviewers have nothing to disclose.