Championing Health Equity for Moms: Shweta Shanbhag's Impact at Cayaba Care

Introduction

In our Women's History Month series celebrating the trailblazers of maternal health, we feature Shweta Shanbhag, Vice President of Product at Cayaba Care. Presented by Research With Moms, this narrative explores how personal maternal experiences and deep engagement with mothers fuel innovative solutions in maternal healthcare.

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A Personal Path to Professional Purpose

Shanbhag's path to Cayaba Care showcases how motherhood can profoundly reshape career trajectories. After a period of consulting, which offered her the flexibility to homeschool her children in 2021, Shanbhag reevaluated her professional goals. This introspection brought her to Cayaba Care, where she could merge her firsthand experiences as a mom and her commitment to equitable healthcare. "Women’s health is often overlooked, but specifically, there is a pressing need for healthcare solutions that serve all mothers inclusively," Shanbhag notes.

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Personalized Healthcare: Inspired by Stories, Driven by Equity

Cayaba Care's mission is to provide comprehensive, wraparound care from pregnancy to a baby's first birthday, including services like lactation advice, nutrition, and doula and family support. Founded in 2020 with the mission to address the maternal health gap for the 60,000 U.S. women facing severe maternal morbidity each year, Cayaba emphasizes a care delivery model that’s as innovative as it is inclusive.

Shanbhag’s role is crucial in enforcing Cayaba Care’s approach, ensuring it's tailored to the unique needs of Black and Brown women or moms in a high-risk pregnancy, who often face barriers to accessing quality care. As the head of product, Shanbhag helps refine and execute Cayaba Care's distinctive care model, seamlessly delivered by human navigators who are complemented (not replaced) by technology, preserving the human connection. Informed by direct feedback from focus groups and consumer interactions, this approach ensures that the care they deliver meets the specific needs of mothers. "We're not just creating services; we're personalizing the healthcare journey, making it resonate on a human level," Shanbhag explains.

Her drive is further fueled by candid conversations with close friends and community members about their healthcare experiences and dismissive treatment by healthcare providers. "A close friend's struggle with fibroids and the lack of proper attention from her healthcare providers really opened my eyes,” Shanbhag recounts. “Many mothers, including my friend, aren't aware of the level of care they should receive. This situation highlighted a big gap: what mothers expect and what they actually need from healthcare. At Cayaba Care, we're inspired by these stories to help mothers understand and demand the quality care they deserve."

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"We're not just creating services; we're personalizing the healthcare journey, making it resonate on a human level."

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Envisioning a Future of Enhanced Care

Looking ahead, Shanbhag is excited about the potential of leveraging technology to enhance Cayaba Care's services while keeping the human aspect at the forefront. "Our vision involves using technology to meet our members' needs better, ensuring our care remains responsive, accessible, and, above all, human," she states. Celebrating Shweta Shanbhag and Cayaba Care's work during Women's History Month reminds us of the significant role empathy, innovation, and commitment play in transforming maternal health. Shanbhag's journey from personal revelations to leading change in the industry inspires a movement towards a future where every mother receives the quality care and support she deserves.

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"Our vision involves using technology to meet our members' needs better, ensuring our care remains responsive, accessible, and, above all, human."

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‍Get Involved and Make a Difference

Are you inspired by Shanbhag's dedication and Cayaba Care's mission? Visit their website for more detailed information on their unique care model and services. Similarly, if you're passionate about contributing to meaningful research that can lead to real change in maternal health, Research With Moms welcomes you. Join our diverse network of moms and researchers working together to shape the future of motherhood.