University of Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence
We provide respectful, compassionate care for families who experience the tragedy of stillbirth. Join us in the fight to end preventable stillbirths.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to be the most comprehensive center of excellence for stillbirth in the United States. We aim to be a national and global leader in the fight to end preventable stillbirths. As an academic medical center, we deliver excellence in clinical care, research, and bereavement support. Our vision is to provide encompassing, respectful, compassionate care for families who suffer from stillbirth pregnancy loss. The University of Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence is an approved University of Utah Academic Center.
Six Cores of Utah Stillbirth Center
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Clinical Care
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Bereavement Support
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Education
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Advocacy
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Research
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Justice and Community Engagement
Film Screening Event
You're invited to a special free screening of Before a Breath, which explores the nation’s stillbirth crisis.
Date & Time: Mon, May 12 6–8 pm
Venue: Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatre
Registration is required to attend the event.
Stillbirth Rates & Improving Stillbirth Support
The Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence works in partnership with many individuals and organizations to strive toward these ambitious yet critical aims by 2035.
- Cut the US stillbirth rate in half
- Cut racial disparities in US stillbirth rates in half
- Double the proportion of affected US families receiving bereavement support
- Ensure at least 75% of US stillbirths undergo a comprehensive perinatal audit and complete evaluation for potential causes
- Bring stillbirth permanently out of the shadows through changing cultural norms
- Establish the US as a global leader in stillbirth prevention, support, and research
- Make significant improvements to stillbirth rates in low-income and high-income settings worldwide
Utah Pregnancy After Loss (UPAL) Program Care
The Utah Pregnancy After Loss (UPAL) Program provides care to families who have experienced the following:
- Stillbirth
- Newborn death
- Recurrent loss
- Termination for medical or obstetric reasons
- Pregnancies with serious complications
In addition to caring for families who are pregnant again after loss, we offer consultations with families who have recently suffered a pregnancy loss and want to discuss test results or plan for future pregnancies. In addition to offering mental health care, we are building a peer support program for families.
Thanks to Our Donors
"Fe and Chase are amazing parents to all their children, including their stillborn daughter Natalie for whom their Foundation is named. They are incredibly passionate about making things better for moms, babies and families, and we are beyond fortunate to have them as colleagues and friends. We are honored to work together for stillbirth prevention and care."
“We are proud supporters of the University of Utah, which is setting the standard nationally for prenatal clinical care and research in stillbirth prevention all at an amazing speed, with admirable passion and grit. The establishment of the Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence addresses a dire need in our country and will establish the University as a national leader in perinatal care."
Team Spotlight
Ashley Joseph has a Bachelor's in Kinesiology, formerly known as the Exercise and Health Science Program, from the University of Utah. She started with the Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Network (OGRN) in 2018 on our 24/7 team as a research assistant, working weekends while finishing her Bachelor's. Upon graduation, she worked her way up the ranks as Study Coordinator and is now a Clinical Research Coordinator, managing the entire research team for placenta accreta and stillbirth. Notable accomplishments include hosting the National Accreta Conference in Salt Lake City in 2022, while supporting the International Stillbirth Alliance Conference held in SLC just a few weeks prior. Ashley has successfully managed several studies from start to finish, and is a vital part of our research management team.
"Ashley Joseph is essential to the stillbirth research team and never fails to go above and beyond to ensure team members are supported, patients are safe, and that our research studies are ethical and of quality. Her dedication to research on placenta accreta and stillbirth is admirable. She has a fiery passion for women's health, all while inspiring team members to see the downstream impact of our work and helping them navigate how they can continue improving women's health even after they move on to graduate school. Her passion is contagious; to have her on the team is a dream." - Sarah Lopez
"I can’t say enough good about Ashley Joseph! She consistently goes above and beyond in her role and makes a meaningful impact across the team. Ashley is someone you can always count on—whether it's meeting tight deadlines, stepping in to support a colleague, or finding solutions to complex challenges. Her reliability and work ethic are matched only by her willingness to help others, often going out of her way to ensure the success of both projects and teammates. Her positive attitude, calm under pressure, and deep sense of responsibility make her an invaluable asset to our organization. Thank you, Ashley, for everything you do! You elevate the standard for excellence, and we’re lucky to have you on the team." - Kathy Harvey
"Ashley is exceptional. She finds a way of connecting naturally with patients and the care team. Her work pushes the field of placenta-related research forward and changes the way people practice care for placenta accreta spectrum and other complications of pregnancy. Her organization and management skills are exemplary." - Brett Einerson, MD, MPH, FACOG
