Flourish Care

There is something that is so awesome about being able to bring your child to work functions! I always get so nervous about bringing my super active toddler to things but somehow I am always surrounded by supportive humans who ground me and remind me he’s 3 and I’m doing a great job! Melissa Bowley I believe you’re officially Grayson’s best friend ??Jessie Colbert thank you for your support as well. Flourish Care

Back at MassChallenge: A Full Circle Moment What a thrill to be back at the MassChallenge offices, this time sharing my journey with the 2024 healthtech cohort! As an alum and the finalist of the MITRE Maternal Health Equity Challenge, it’s always inspiring to reflect on how Flourish Care grew from an idea into a company shaping maternal health innovation. MassChallenge wasn’t just a program—it was a launchpad. From milestone moments to transformative mentorship from Sonia Millsom, Dave Fielding, Hope Hopkins and in-person meetings with Liz F. and Jonathan Blum at CMS, the experience was instrumental in turning big dreams into real-world impact. I can’t wait to see how this innovative 2024 cohort tackles healthcare’s biggest problems and bring their visions to life. #MassChallenge #HealthTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #MedicaidInnovation #MaternalHealth #DoulaCare #HealthEquity Trent Haywood, MD, JD, Verlon Johnson Cheryl Powell Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Meg Green, MBA

Throwback to the Women’s Health PAC event on this Election Day ???? —a powerful reminder of both the progress we’re making and the work that still lies ahead. As we navigate an election season marked by contrasting visions, it’s clear how much more needs to be done to make women’s health a priority. Leaders like Liz Powell, Elizabeth Garner, Ramita Tandon, Jamie Zahlaway Belsito and Neel Shah reminded us that while strides have been made, deep gaps remain in access, equity, and comprehensive support for women’s health. Jamie’s discussion on Massachusetts’ recent steps—expanding coverage for midwifery, doulas, and mental health screening—shows what’s possible. But this has to be just the beginning. Nationwide, research, funding, and structural support for women’s health must become non-negotiable. It’s time to push harder—for stronger policies, for dependable funding, and for a healthcare system that truly listens to and values women. Until women’s health is an unquestioned priority, our work is far from over. #HealthEquity #WHPAC #FundWomensHealth #Throwback #WomensHealth #AdvocacyInAction #YourVoteMatters Amy Gerner Alyssa Reisner Nada (Osman) Hanafi Shannon Field Candice Privott Laura Bronner elisabeth howard Marie Stefanowicz Flourish Care Michelle Wu Bilikis Jumoke Oladimeji MD, MMCi, CPHIMS

Our Why: A Flourish Care x MassHealth Patient Story Recently, MassHealth shared the story of one of our patients, Cecilia, and her doula, Emma—a relationship that became a true lifeline during an incredibly difficult time. I had the privilege to witness firsthand the powerful impact that compassionate doula support has on families, especially for Cecilia. ?? “Without doula support, I was in and out of the hospital. With Emma, I gained the confidence to care for my baby and advocate for myself as a Deaf mother.” Since January, we’ve supported over 200 MassHealth families through more than 1,000 appointments, each journey as unique and impactful as Cecilia’s. Stories like hers show why our work is essential: to make sure every birthing person, no matter their circumstances, feels seen, supported, and empowered. Cecilia’s story also highlights a big gap: doula support should be available to all mothers, no matter their insurance since she was initially denied doula coverage. Medicaid plans in 18 states and Washington, D.C., already cover doula services, with another 25 states following. While some commercial/private insurers are beginning to cover this care, there’s still a long way to go. We’re driven by stories like these, working to make compassionate maternal healthcare accessible to all. MassHealth GBH Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Point32Health Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Candice Privott Marie Stefanowicz #OurWhy #MaternalHealth #DoulaCare #HealthEquity #MassHealth #MedicaidInnovation ?? Read Cecilia’s story below

? #HLTHUSA was a whole experience—flashy, fast-paced, and a bit overwhelming at times. But what truly stood out for me were the small, intimate moments in between the chaos—those real conversations with some of the most inspiring women leaders, investors, and founders. The conversations, the shared passion for women’s health, and the collective drive to make sure we’re not just at the table—but building the table—were unforgettable. I left feeling so fired up (and maybe a little exhausted, let’s be real) and SO ready to keep pushing forward, especially addressing the maternal health crisis with Flourish Care, alongside these powerhouse women. Kelsey Mayo Emma Cartmell Tracy Warren Anna Zornosa Susan Solinsky Rachel Kern Effie Carlson Ruby Gadelrab Tudor Jessica J. Federer Soo Jeon Somer Baburek, MBA Julia McDowell Tony Ma CDR Michael Banyas, USPHS, MPA Sarah O'Leary Jennifer Sargent Andrea Ippolito Alexandrina (Dina) Rusu, PhD Bridget Duru Vanessa Villaverde Noel Pugh Thorne Sparkman Colby Holtshouse Meghan Doyle Erica Jain Light-it Janna Meyrowitz Turner #WomenInHealth #WomensHealth #HLTH2024 #WomenWhoLead #RepresentationMatters #maternalhealth #medicaidinnovation

Excited to be here with Flourish Care at #HLTH2024! Day 1 is off to a great start, and we’re ready to dive into the incredible conversations happening around healthcare innovation. If you’re here, come by and say hi at our booth — we’d love to connect! Or drop me a DM. Looking forward to meeting everyone and exploring new partnerships to drive maternal health forward! Josefina Ruiz Cassarino Erica Jain Emma Bixler Meghan Doyle Pamela Nogués Light-it Healthie Tracy Warren Brittany Barreto, Ph.D. Somer Baburek, MBA Tony Ma Bridget Duru Julia McDowell Jessica J. Federer #doulainnovation #maternalhealth #medicaidinnovation #HLTHUSA

Coming out of the inaugural Symphonic Capital Health Equity Summit, I’m feeling inspired and fired up! ?? Last week I was fortunate to be a part of the first (of hopefully many) Orchestrating Opportunities in Health Summit, and wow—what an experience! Being surrounded by thought leaders like Chelsea Clinton, Toyin Ajayi of Cityblock Health, Veenu Aulakh, Adimika Arthur and more, I couldn’t help but feel totally energized. We dug into some big topics, including: ? Why maternal health is the ultimate indicator of a society’s well-being ? How health equity needs bold action and innovation ? The role of collaboration between public and private sectors in shaping the future of care Huge thanks to our incredible investors Sydney Paige Thomas and Shruti Shah at Symphonic Capital for curating such an amazing experience and for continually supporting leaders in health equity. The future looks bright when we tackle these challenges together! Aina Fadina, MBA #HealthEquitySummit #MaternalHealthMatters #BoldActionForEquity #MedicaidInnovation

Our first Flourish Care booth at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) was an amazing experience! Our booth was buzzing with energy as OBGYNs and midwives lined up to chat — and our team loved every minute of it. It was inspiring to connect with so many dedicated practices eager to explore the impact of doula care on maternal and infant health. We also gathered some interesting insights through our research at the booth: ?? 99% of OBGYNs agree that doulas positively impact birth outcomes ?? 81% would recommend doula care as part of standard prenatal care ?? 94% of OB practices want to collaborate with doulas At Flourish Care, we partner with OB teams to bring evidence-based reimbursed doula support to women and families before, during and after birth. ?? If you’re looking to integrate doula programs that prioritize better health outcomes and patient-centered care, let’s connect! Let’s keep the momentum going and build stronger, supportive systems for mothers and families. ?? Candice Privott elisabeth howard Marie Stefanowicz #ACOG2024 #FlourishCare #DoulaCare #MaternalHealth #OBGYN #HealthcareInnovation #Medicaid

Another day, another exciting milestone! ?? We’re thrilled to share that Flourish Care has been selected as a semi-finalist in the 2024 Women’s Healthtech Challenge. Coming off the incredible connections we made at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Women's Health PAC and Women's Health Innovation Series this week in Boston, this recognition feels truly special. We will share more updates from the nonstop events this week but we’re beyond grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with such dedicated individuals, all working to improve women’s health. A heartfelt thank you to HITLAB for this recognition and for giving us the chance to continue pushing the boundaries of maternal health innovation. We hope to share more about Flourish Care’s mission at the pitch on October 11th! Register here: https://lnkd.in/e8yvfWt9 Candice Privott, Bilikis Jumoke Oladimeji MD, MMCi, CPHIMS, Eryn-Ashlei B., Elizabeth Garner, Liz Powell, Michelle Wu, Tracy Warren, Kriti Lodha, elisabeth howard, Jyoti Gupta, PhD, Leslie Forde, Nada (Osman) Hanafi #WHTChallenge2024 #FlourishCare #WomensHealthInnovation #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #TechForGood #MediciadInnovation #DoulaCare

I’m incredibly proud to share that Flourish Care won the prestigious Women’s Health Innovation Showcase award, being recognized as one of the most innovative companies in women’s health ?? Accepting this award was a deeply meaningful moment. It represents the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who are committed to transforming maternal care for women and families. By integrating collaborative doula support with traditional OB care, we’re providing comprehensive care to mothers beyond the clinic. This award is not just a win for us, but for every mother and family we serve. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing team, investors, organizers, and all the innovators pushing boundaries in women’s health. We’re honored to lead this important work and excited for what’s ahead as we continue to drive innovation and improve outcomes in maternal care. Women's Health Innovation Series #WomensHealth #Innovation #DoulaCare #MaternalHealth #FlourishCare #HealthcareTransformation #WHIS