1 00:00:01,679 --> 00:00:04,240 Every year, Becker's annual meeting brings health care 2 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:06,799 leaders together to unpack the most pressing issues 3 00:00:06,799 --> 00:00:07,779 facing the industry. 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:10,960 And every year, those conversations shift in profound 5 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:12,339 and unexpected ways. 6 00:00:12,785 --> 00:00:15,025 This April, more than 3,500 7 00:00:15,025 --> 00:00:17,204 healthcare executives will return to Chicago 8 00:00:17,505 --> 00:00:19,445 for Becker's sixteenth annual meeting. 9 00:00:19,824 --> 00:00:22,704 Seven ninety five elite speakers will offer new 10 00:00:22,704 --> 00:00:23,204 lessons, 11 00:00:23,505 --> 00:00:26,010 new case studies, and predictions about what comes 12 00:00:26,570 --> 00:00:29,070 next. Join us April 13 through the sixteenth. 13 00:00:29,530 --> 00:00:31,390 For the agenda and event details, 14 00:00:31,690 --> 00:00:34,010 visit beckershospitalreview.com 15 00:00:34,010 --> 00:00:35,850 and click on the events tab in the 16 00:00:35,850 --> 00:00:36,590 upper right. 17 00:00:38,010 --> 00:00:40,250 This is Laura Dierda with the Becker's Healthcare 18 00:00:40,250 --> 00:00:42,465 podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by 19 00:00:42,465 --> 00:00:45,105 Megan Doyle, chief executive officer at Partum Health. 20 00:00:45,105 --> 00:00:46,385 Megan, it's a pleasure to have you on 21 00:00:46,385 --> 00:00:48,865 the podcast today. Excited to be here, Laura. 22 00:00:48,865 --> 00:00:51,685 Thanks so much for having me. Absolutely. Well, 23 00:00:51,745 --> 00:00:53,984 I'm excited for our conversation. And, you know, 24 00:00:53,984 --> 00:00:55,350 I think there's a lot happening in the 25 00:00:55,350 --> 00:00:56,789 health care space, and so it'll be great 26 00:00:56,789 --> 00:00:58,870 to learn a little bit more about Partum 27 00:00:58,870 --> 00:01:00,390 Health and how you're thinking about the future. 28 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:01,670 But before we dive in, can you tell 29 00:01:01,670 --> 00:01:03,030 us a little bit more about yourself and 30 00:01:03,030 --> 00:01:03,690 the organization? 31 00:01:04,390 --> 00:01:07,109 Happy to. Yeah. So Partum Health is a 32 00:01:07,109 --> 00:01:08,890 maternal and family care organization, 33 00:01:09,935 --> 00:01:12,515 and our focus is really uniquely on 34 00:01:13,295 --> 00:01:15,854 complementing the care that most families receive from 35 00:01:15,854 --> 00:01:18,415 their OB and midwife with a range of 36 00:01:18,415 --> 00:01:19,634 specialty support 37 00:01:20,094 --> 00:01:22,769 that we know really helps improve outcomes 38 00:01:23,229 --> 00:01:23,729 and, 39 00:01:24,109 --> 00:01:25,569 creates a better patient experience. 40 00:01:26,430 --> 00:01:28,289 And so that includes areas 41 00:01:28,590 --> 00:01:30,829 that are are common gaps in the maternal 42 00:01:30,829 --> 00:01:33,009 and family care experience, including 43 00:01:33,310 --> 00:01:34,689 behavioral health support, 44 00:01:35,354 --> 00:01:35,854 lactation, 45 00:01:36,474 --> 00:01:36,974 nutrition, 46 00:01:37,515 --> 00:01:38,415 physical therapy, 47 00:01:39,034 --> 00:01:40,254 and also nonclinical 48 00:01:40,555 --> 00:01:42,734 care, in the form of birth and postpartum 49 00:01:42,954 --> 00:01:43,854 doula support. 50 00:01:44,474 --> 00:01:46,954 We are definitely an organization that is 51 00:01:47,579 --> 00:01:48,879 believes in blending, 52 00:01:49,659 --> 00:01:50,799 the best of technology 53 00:01:51,099 --> 00:01:53,819 with in person care. And so our model 54 00:01:53,819 --> 00:01:55,979 is hybrid. We do a mix of virtual 55 00:01:55,979 --> 00:01:58,379 and in person support and kind of wrap 56 00:01:58,379 --> 00:02:00,319 everything with digital care navigation 57 00:02:00,700 --> 00:02:03,254 to help make sure patients really are having 58 00:02:03,254 --> 00:02:06,935 that frictionless experience and getting to access both 59 00:02:06,935 --> 00:02:10,055 preventive and early intervention support in the areas 60 00:02:10,055 --> 00:02:11,194 that we focus on. 61 00:02:11,814 --> 00:02:13,254 And you also asked a little bit about 62 00:02:13,254 --> 00:02:16,259 my background. So I've spent my career largely 63 00:02:16,259 --> 00:02:18,199 on the business side of health care, 64 00:02:18,579 --> 00:02:21,239 did a lot of work, with payer, provider, 65 00:02:21,379 --> 00:02:22,919 and health services organizations, 66 00:02:24,099 --> 00:02:25,539 a lot of that during my time at 67 00:02:25,539 --> 00:02:26,919 Boston Consulting Group. 68 00:02:27,299 --> 00:02:28,359 And then importantly, 69 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:30,439 I'm also a mom of two. 70 00:02:30,739 --> 00:02:33,215 And so it's really that experience of starting 71 00:02:33,215 --> 00:02:35,794 my own family that helped me identify 72 00:02:36,574 --> 00:02:38,835 the opportunity to really better serve, 73 00:02:39,215 --> 00:02:40,514 women and their families 74 00:02:41,055 --> 00:02:42,895 when it comes to taking care of their 75 00:02:42,895 --> 00:02:45,634 whole mental, emotional, and physical health. 76 00:02:46,750 --> 00:02:48,750 I love that. That's such a needed service 77 00:02:48,750 --> 00:02:49,569 and opportunities 78 00:02:49,870 --> 00:02:50,370 for, 79 00:02:51,069 --> 00:02:54,509 women, mothers, and families in order to, have 80 00:02:54,509 --> 00:02:55,810 healthy and growing, 81 00:02:56,830 --> 00:02:59,150 you know, within their own families and lives. 82 00:02:59,150 --> 00:03:00,585 So that's great to hear. 83 00:03:01,305 --> 00:03:03,224 I'm curious. Can you start off by talking 84 00:03:03,224 --> 00:03:04,985 a little bit about an initiative that you've 85 00:03:04,985 --> 00:03:06,585 led in the last year? What did you 86 00:03:06,585 --> 00:03:07,805 do, and what were the results? 87 00:03:08,504 --> 00:03:09,944 Yeah. 2025 88 00:03:09,944 --> 00:03:12,045 was a a really big year for Partum. 89 00:03:12,745 --> 00:03:13,245 We 90 00:03:13,625 --> 00:03:15,245 historically have been serving 91 00:03:15,860 --> 00:03:18,039 a mix of patients across different, 92 00:03:18,979 --> 00:03:19,959 commercially insured 93 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:23,060 members. And then last year was our first 94 00:03:23,060 --> 00:03:25,159 foray into serving patients with Medicaid. 95 00:03:26,099 --> 00:03:27,080 So that expansion 96 00:03:27,459 --> 00:03:30,004 was really fueled by some of the regulatory 97 00:03:30,145 --> 00:03:32,645 changes that are happening in maternal care. 98 00:03:33,425 --> 00:03:35,905 We've now moved over the last few years 99 00:03:35,905 --> 00:03:37,585 from just a couple of states, 100 00:03:37,905 --> 00:03:39,125 particularly providing 101 00:03:39,745 --> 00:03:41,844 Medicaid coverage for doula care 102 00:03:42,189 --> 00:03:43,009 to now, 103 00:03:43,550 --> 00:03:44,930 more than 20 states, 104 00:03:45,469 --> 00:03:46,610 where this is becoming 105 00:03:47,229 --> 00:03:48,849 really part of the expected 106 00:03:49,389 --> 00:03:49,889 and, 107 00:03:50,270 --> 00:03:52,750 covered care that families can receive as they 108 00:03:52,750 --> 00:03:54,610 go through their pregnancy and postpartum. 109 00:03:55,724 --> 00:03:57,585 So for us, that was a a really 110 00:03:58,044 --> 00:03:59,104 important opportunity 111 00:03:59,405 --> 00:03:59,905 to, 112 00:04:00,604 --> 00:04:02,365 move further in the direction of the mission 113 00:04:02,365 --> 00:04:04,705 of the organization, which is really to elevate 114 00:04:04,764 --> 00:04:06,604 the standard of care for every woman and 115 00:04:06,604 --> 00:04:07,104 family, 116 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,560 no matter where they live or who pays 117 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:11,180 for their, health insurance 118 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,900 so that we're delivering a more consistent 119 00:04:14,199 --> 00:04:16,620 kind of gold standard maternal care experience. 120 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:19,639 So for us, that's meant being one of 121 00:04:19,639 --> 00:04:20,540 the first providers, 122 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,259 in our home state of Illinois to have, 123 00:04:23,399 --> 00:04:25,535 you know, a large and growing number of 124 00:04:25,535 --> 00:04:27,314 doulas who are providing care, 125 00:04:27,774 --> 00:04:30,975 really in partnership with, MCOs, and we're contracted 126 00:04:30,975 --> 00:04:33,394 with all the major MCOs here in Illinois. 127 00:04:34,495 --> 00:04:36,975 And just the effort to really bring on 128 00:04:36,975 --> 00:04:37,955 both the workforce, 129 00:04:38,579 --> 00:04:40,419 and and this is a a brand new 130 00:04:40,419 --> 00:04:43,560 provider type for a lot of Medicaid plans, 131 00:04:44,180 --> 00:04:45,779 which means there's a lot of learning, 132 00:04:46,180 --> 00:04:48,040 as you go through all of the, 133 00:04:48,419 --> 00:04:51,079 you know, various pieces of credentialing and contracting 134 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:54,040 and, of course, care delivery as well. 135 00:04:54,714 --> 00:04:56,394 So this has been a huge, you know, 136 00:04:56,394 --> 00:04:58,955 part of our our last year is really 137 00:04:58,955 --> 00:05:02,235 getting that inter entire service line, you know, 138 00:05:02,235 --> 00:05:04,714 up and running to serve a a segment 139 00:05:04,714 --> 00:05:07,295 of the population that, you know, not only 140 00:05:07,514 --> 00:05:10,399 needs and deserves this support, but has also 141 00:05:10,399 --> 00:05:11,459 shown in 142 00:05:11,759 --> 00:05:14,420 a lot of research to really benefit in 143 00:05:14,959 --> 00:05:18,020 a differentially positive way from getting that nonclinical 144 00:05:18,399 --> 00:05:19,220 care from, 145 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:20,899 trained doulas 146 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,680 during their pregnancy, their labor and delivery, and 147 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:24,420 their postpartum. 148 00:05:25,814 --> 00:05:27,254 Got it. That makes a lot of sense 149 00:05:27,254 --> 00:05:29,194 and is, you know, helpful to understand 150 00:05:29,495 --> 00:05:31,335 some of the actions you're being taken, especially 151 00:05:31,335 --> 00:05:32,855 given I I know there's a lot of 152 00:05:32,855 --> 00:05:35,895 changes in the health care environment around, you 153 00:05:35,895 --> 00:05:38,134 know, health care and health care delivery and 154 00:05:38,134 --> 00:05:39,660 access and insurance and, 155 00:05:40,139 --> 00:05:42,779 especially in in the Medicaid population. So that's 156 00:05:42,779 --> 00:05:43,839 helpful to see, 157 00:05:44,139 --> 00:05:46,620 how you're able to work with them. Looking 158 00:05:46,620 --> 00:05:48,060 ahead, what do you see as being some 159 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:49,980 of the big priorities and headwinds you're focused 160 00:05:49,980 --> 00:05:51,439 on for 2026? 161 00:05:52,314 --> 00:05:52,814 Yeah. 162 00:05:53,354 --> 00:05:55,375 You know, like you said, there's a constant 163 00:05:55,995 --> 00:05:57,914 ebb and flow and and sea of change 164 00:05:57,914 --> 00:05:59,754 happening in health care. So we very much 165 00:05:59,754 --> 00:06:02,634 are, you know, paying attention to both the 166 00:06:02,634 --> 00:06:05,509 regulatory environment as well as, you know, practically 167 00:06:05,569 --> 00:06:07,970 what's happening on on the ground in the 168 00:06:07,970 --> 00:06:10,230 markets where we're serving patients. 169 00:06:11,009 --> 00:06:12,230 For us, we, 170 00:06:12,850 --> 00:06:16,769 particularly following this expansion to begin serving Medicaid 171 00:06:16,769 --> 00:06:18,790 in addition to a commercially insured population, 172 00:06:19,294 --> 00:06:21,875 we are forging really exciting partnerships 173 00:06:22,254 --> 00:06:23,394 with health systems 174 00:06:24,014 --> 00:06:27,475 that are allowing their patients to really experience 175 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:28,995 more of an 176 00:06:29,375 --> 00:06:31,949 end to end model of care that blends 177 00:06:31,949 --> 00:06:34,350 what they might be getting in clinic and 178 00:06:34,350 --> 00:06:35,250 in the hospital 179 00:06:35,790 --> 00:06:37,470 with the type of support that they might 180 00:06:37,470 --> 00:06:38,210 be receiving 181 00:06:38,589 --> 00:06:40,689 from an organization like Partum virtually 182 00:06:40,990 --> 00:06:41,730 in home, 183 00:06:42,750 --> 00:06:44,509 you know, outside the four walls of the 184 00:06:44,509 --> 00:06:45,009 clinic. 185 00:06:45,394 --> 00:06:47,555 So we have a couple of partnerships that 186 00:06:47,555 --> 00:06:49,555 we were working on in 2025 187 00:06:49,555 --> 00:06:50,115 that we are, 188 00:06:50,834 --> 00:06:53,394 we haven't yet announced. So stay tuned for 189 00:06:53,394 --> 00:06:55,095 the the, you know, exact 190 00:06:55,555 --> 00:06:58,209 models and the names, but there's really innovative 191 00:06:58,209 --> 00:06:59,509 things coming to market. 192 00:07:00,289 --> 00:07:02,449 I think the foundation for that is, you 193 00:07:02,449 --> 00:07:05,729 know, whether you're running an OB GYN service 194 00:07:05,729 --> 00:07:07,729 line and, you know, seeing the need of 195 00:07:07,729 --> 00:07:08,949 your patients or 196 00:07:09,250 --> 00:07:11,495 you're more in the, you you know, digital 197 00:07:11,555 --> 00:07:13,095 virtual care environment. 198 00:07:13,555 --> 00:07:15,235 You know, we all see there's such a 199 00:07:15,235 --> 00:07:17,875 need to really step up the level of 200 00:07:17,875 --> 00:07:19,254 support that patients, 201 00:07:20,355 --> 00:07:22,435 have access to and have access to through 202 00:07:22,435 --> 00:07:23,175 their insurance. 203 00:07:23,714 --> 00:07:25,895 So it's really exciting. We're gonna be bringing 204 00:07:26,069 --> 00:07:28,069 what we call kind of an embedded model 205 00:07:28,069 --> 00:07:30,710 of care in partnership with health systems so 206 00:07:30,710 --> 00:07:33,430 that there's a lot more continuity between what 207 00:07:33,430 --> 00:07:34,250 patients are 208 00:07:34,550 --> 00:07:36,730 getting in their communities, in their homes, 209 00:07:37,350 --> 00:07:40,009 alongside that traditional care that they are getting, 210 00:07:40,274 --> 00:07:42,454 you know, inside a labor and delivery unit. 211 00:07:42,514 --> 00:07:44,115 So for us, that's one of the big 212 00:07:44,115 --> 00:07:47,495 opportunities that we're very focused on for 2026. 213 00:07:48,595 --> 00:07:50,914 You also asked about headwinds, and I think, 214 00:07:50,914 --> 00:07:52,675 you know, we can't talk about women's health 215 00:07:52,675 --> 00:07:55,589 without, bringing up some of the challenges that 216 00:07:55,589 --> 00:07:56,089 persist 217 00:07:56,790 --> 00:07:58,729 when it comes to reimbursement 218 00:07:59,189 --> 00:08:00,009 in the space. 219 00:08:00,949 --> 00:08:02,329 You know, there's been really, 220 00:08:02,789 --> 00:08:04,870 really helpful research in the last couple of 221 00:08:04,870 --> 00:08:05,930 years that's shown 222 00:08:06,245 --> 00:08:08,745 a lot of the starting point for reimbursement, 223 00:08:09,285 --> 00:08:12,485 you know, for women's health procedures even relative 224 00:08:12,485 --> 00:08:13,305 to a similar, 225 00:08:14,324 --> 00:08:16,725 procedure for men. We we tend to be 226 00:08:16,725 --> 00:08:18,345 reimbursing at lower rates. 227 00:08:19,259 --> 00:08:21,519 We see service lines where we're treating 228 00:08:21,819 --> 00:08:23,519 women, you know, as a result, 229 00:08:24,139 --> 00:08:26,240 often having more financial constraints. 230 00:08:27,019 --> 00:08:28,939 And so one of the things that, you 231 00:08:28,939 --> 00:08:31,419 know, we're really focused on is ensuring that 232 00:08:31,419 --> 00:08:33,679 the care we're providing is absolutely 233 00:08:34,654 --> 00:08:35,154 demonstrating 234 00:08:35,615 --> 00:08:37,934 value to the patient in terms of those 235 00:08:37,934 --> 00:08:38,835 improved outcomes. 236 00:08:39,455 --> 00:08:41,075 And also thinking both about 237 00:08:41,615 --> 00:08:43,554 cost as well as continuing 238 00:08:43,855 --> 00:08:44,355 to 239 00:08:45,054 --> 00:08:45,554 really, 240 00:08:45,855 --> 00:08:48,649 you know, fight for improve the value for 241 00:08:48,649 --> 00:08:50,110 more equitable reimbursement 242 00:08:50,490 --> 00:08:51,309 in the field. 243 00:08:51,930 --> 00:08:53,850 So for us, that's probably both, you know, 244 00:08:53,850 --> 00:08:55,850 a big part of the opportunity. And, also, 245 00:08:55,850 --> 00:08:58,490 we recognize that we're we're starting from a 246 00:08:58,490 --> 00:09:00,649 little bit of a disadvantage when it comes 247 00:09:00,649 --> 00:09:02,074 to the the reimbursement 248 00:09:02,534 --> 00:09:03,034 for 249 00:09:03,495 --> 00:09:05,034 a lot of women's health procedures 250 00:09:05,414 --> 00:09:07,514 and services relative to, 251 00:09:08,534 --> 00:09:11,654 to men's or to other areas, service line 252 00:09:11,654 --> 00:09:12,154 areas, 253 00:09:12,774 --> 00:09:15,194 where women's health often has to kind of 254 00:09:15,490 --> 00:09:17,889 get creative with how we're we're funding and 255 00:09:17,889 --> 00:09:18,710 how we're demonstrating, 256 00:09:19,570 --> 00:09:21,990 value in terms of cost reduction too. 257 00:09:22,370 --> 00:09:24,370 So that's those are our two big priorities 258 00:09:24,370 --> 00:09:27,009 for '26 is really focusing on deepening those 259 00:09:27,009 --> 00:09:27,830 health system 260 00:09:28,485 --> 00:09:30,884 partnerships and the innovative care that we're able 261 00:09:30,884 --> 00:09:33,205 to provide in in partnership with our larger 262 00:09:33,205 --> 00:09:34,024 health systems, 263 00:09:35,125 --> 00:09:37,445 health system partners, and then also being mindful 264 00:09:37,445 --> 00:09:38,985 of those reimbursement challenges. 265 00:09:40,245 --> 00:09:41,625 I love that. That's so 266 00:09:42,399 --> 00:09:45,279 helpful to understand how you're thinking about things 267 00:09:45,279 --> 00:09:46,179 and certainly, 268 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:48,659 you know, having those types of priorities, 269 00:09:49,759 --> 00:09:52,320 is so important, especially as you get more 270 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,799 into thinking about value, thinking about payment. Every 271 00:09:54,799 --> 00:09:56,995 dollar is critical in health care and very, 272 00:09:56,995 --> 00:09:58,455 very precious. And so, 273 00:09:58,835 --> 00:10:01,315 that's really cool to see and think about 274 00:10:01,315 --> 00:10:04,054 how you're bringing together both, you know, the 275 00:10:04,434 --> 00:10:04,934 current, 276 00:10:05,394 --> 00:10:07,634 seeing people in person, seeing people digitally, and 277 00:10:07,634 --> 00:10:08,375 and really, 278 00:10:09,309 --> 00:10:11,329 opening up and broadening those access points. 279 00:10:11,709 --> 00:10:12,909 What do you think will be the hardest 280 00:10:12,909 --> 00:10:14,190 thing you'll have to do in the coming 281 00:10:14,190 --> 00:10:14,690 year? 282 00:10:15,709 --> 00:10:16,429 Yeah. It's, 283 00:10:17,149 --> 00:10:18,909 a great question. And building on what I 284 00:10:18,909 --> 00:10:21,230 mentioned before, you know, one of the key 285 00:10:21,230 --> 00:10:23,455 areas of of growth and expansion for us 286 00:10:23,455 --> 00:10:24,355 has been focusing 287 00:10:24,894 --> 00:10:28,274 on serving women and families with nonclinical support 288 00:10:28,495 --> 00:10:28,995 from, 289 00:10:29,534 --> 00:10:31,154 birth and postpartum doulas. 290 00:10:32,014 --> 00:10:34,355 And it's a really exciting opportunity 291 00:10:34,815 --> 00:10:36,815 to be kind of at the forefront of 292 00:10:36,815 --> 00:10:37,362 that adoption, 293 00:10:38,790 --> 00:10:41,029 a new provider type, a new form of 294 00:10:41,029 --> 00:10:44,309 reimbursement that's coming online for both, patients with 295 00:10:44,309 --> 00:10:45,690 Medicaid as well as, 296 00:10:46,149 --> 00:10:48,870 in many states, families with commercial insurance are 297 00:10:48,870 --> 00:10:49,610 are now, 298 00:10:50,585 --> 00:10:53,225 will have access as legislation is being passed 299 00:10:53,225 --> 00:10:55,625 to ensure that, you know, doula care kind 300 00:10:55,625 --> 00:10:58,845 of falls under that umbrella of covered covered 301 00:10:58,904 --> 00:10:59,404 support. 302 00:11:00,184 --> 00:11:02,825 The challenging part is that it is a 303 00:11:02,825 --> 00:11:05,245 a part of the health care ecosystem that 304 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:06,420 really, 305 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,620 doesn't have the same type of infrastructure 306 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,259 as many other provider types. 307 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:14,559 And so for us, part of the challenge 308 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:15,059 is, 309 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:17,940 being able to build that infrastructure. 310 00:11:19,034 --> 00:11:21,695 So bringing new provider types that, 311 00:11:22,315 --> 00:11:24,954 you know, don't have the same kind of 312 00:11:24,954 --> 00:11:26,014 training credentials. 313 00:11:26,794 --> 00:11:29,134 We have states standing up individual 314 00:11:29,674 --> 00:11:31,214 approaches to credentialing 315 00:11:31,754 --> 00:11:33,695 these providers in different states. 316 00:11:34,129 --> 00:11:36,209 And so it's this dual challenge of being 317 00:11:36,209 --> 00:11:38,929 able to both serve patients, to be in 318 00:11:38,929 --> 00:11:40,549 market, delivering care, 319 00:11:41,089 --> 00:11:43,909 and kind of building and navigating the infrastructure 320 00:11:44,129 --> 00:11:45,970 needs for an entirely new part of the 321 00:11:45,970 --> 00:11:46,470 workforce, 322 00:11:47,284 --> 00:11:49,924 and doing that in parallel. So we're always 323 00:11:49,924 --> 00:11:52,024 thinking about both how do we set up, 324 00:11:52,725 --> 00:11:53,625 the long term 325 00:11:54,245 --> 00:11:56,245 needs for our patients and knowing that we 326 00:11:56,245 --> 00:11:58,725 have a huge opportunity to continue to build 327 00:11:58,725 --> 00:11:59,384 the supply 328 00:11:59,960 --> 00:12:01,720 as well as to build, you know, the 329 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:05,100 technology, the support, the administrative excellence that 330 00:12:05,399 --> 00:12:06,940 is needed to really integrate, 331 00:12:07,879 --> 00:12:10,539 a more holistic approach to maternal care 332 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,160 with, you know, serving patients who need and 333 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,735 deserve that help today. So that's probably our 334 00:12:15,735 --> 00:12:16,934 big challenge for this year is how do 335 00:12:16,934 --> 00:12:18,934 we balance those two things and and kind 336 00:12:18,934 --> 00:12:20,955 of keep them moving in concert together. 337 00:12:22,215 --> 00:12:23,254 Absolutely. I, 338 00:12:23,735 --> 00:12:26,134 love that and and definitely, you know, curious, 339 00:12:26,375 --> 00:12:28,134 from your perspective, when you look at those 340 00:12:28,134 --> 00:12:29,549 two challenges and think about 341 00:12:29,950 --> 00:12:31,709 a patient's and the infrastructure needs from the 342 00:12:31,709 --> 00:12:34,610 health care establishment, you know, is there anything 343 00:12:34,750 --> 00:12:36,690 new or different that you're going to, 344 00:12:37,149 --> 00:12:39,389 try in the next twelve, twenty four months 345 00:12:39,389 --> 00:12:41,389 or so to, continue to, 346 00:12:42,975 --> 00:12:44,735 you know, meet the needs and and the 347 00:12:44,735 --> 00:12:45,794 demands of the market? 348 00:12:46,495 --> 00:12:48,115 Yeah. It's interesting. I think 349 00:12:48,575 --> 00:12:50,174 this is an area where we have a 350 00:12:50,174 --> 00:12:51,075 lot of opportunity 351 00:12:51,454 --> 00:12:54,115 to really rapidly test and learn, 352 00:12:54,654 --> 00:12:56,174 and a big part of that for us 353 00:12:56,174 --> 00:12:59,129 is to develop and and deploy new care 354 00:12:59,129 --> 00:12:59,629 models. 355 00:13:00,410 --> 00:13:01,309 So that means, 356 00:13:02,009 --> 00:13:03,950 you know, what has historically been, 357 00:13:04,809 --> 00:13:06,269 patients very much 358 00:13:07,450 --> 00:13:10,250 driving and saying, okay. My my friend told 359 00:13:10,250 --> 00:13:12,009 me that I need to worry about and 360 00:13:12,009 --> 00:13:14,455 think about my pelvic floor and, you know, 361 00:13:14,455 --> 00:13:16,375 okay. I scored high on this screening. I'm 362 00:13:16,375 --> 00:13:19,174 gonna go find care. It's really about how 363 00:13:19,174 --> 00:13:20,315 to help patients 364 00:13:21,254 --> 00:13:23,115 navigate that in a more proactive 365 00:13:24,054 --> 00:13:24,554 fashion 366 00:13:25,335 --> 00:13:27,570 and to build a care model that kind 367 00:13:27,570 --> 00:13:29,910 of anticipates those needs from a patient 368 00:13:30,529 --> 00:13:33,730 rather than waiting for them to raise their 369 00:13:33,730 --> 00:13:35,809 hand or be in a crisis moment when 370 00:13:35,809 --> 00:13:37,190 they're seeking that support. 371 00:13:37,730 --> 00:13:39,570 And so for us, that's the the thing 372 00:13:39,570 --> 00:13:42,445 we're continually innovating on is how do we 373 00:13:42,445 --> 00:13:45,725 both educate patients, make them aware, and also 374 00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:46,225 build 375 00:13:46,605 --> 00:13:47,584 kind of expectations 376 00:13:47,964 --> 00:13:49,745 or routines around care, 377 00:13:50,605 --> 00:13:53,325 that align and, you know, allow us to 378 00:13:53,325 --> 00:13:54,065 be sustainable 379 00:13:54,809 --> 00:13:57,850 financially while getting patients this proactive support that 380 00:13:57,850 --> 00:13:58,509 they need. 381 00:13:58,970 --> 00:14:00,730 So some of the things that we're thinking 382 00:14:00,730 --> 00:14:03,690 about on on that patient experience side is 383 00:14:03,690 --> 00:14:04,649 whether we can, 384 00:14:04,970 --> 00:14:07,149 for example, standardize more proactive, 385 00:14:07,610 --> 00:14:08,894 even very brief, 386 00:14:10,254 --> 00:14:12,675 engagement with patients to be able to introduce 387 00:14:12,735 --> 00:14:13,554 them to 388 00:14:13,934 --> 00:14:16,035 kind of the one zero one of perinatal 389 00:14:16,095 --> 00:14:17,554 mental health as an example 390 00:14:18,175 --> 00:14:20,735 rather than it being, you know, solely relied 391 00:14:20,735 --> 00:14:22,919 on needing a pull when somebody has a 392 00:14:22,919 --> 00:14:24,779 diagnosis. It's really how do we design, 393 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,759 technology and patient engagement and communication such that 394 00:14:28,759 --> 00:14:29,259 we're 395 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:31,740 enabling them to take a much more proactive 396 00:14:31,959 --> 00:14:32,459 approach, 397 00:14:32,839 --> 00:14:34,565 you know, to their care. And that's one 398 00:14:34,565 --> 00:14:36,684 of the really exciting things that we see, 399 00:14:37,004 --> 00:14:39,565 coming out of our partnerships with health systems 400 00:14:39,565 --> 00:14:41,644 is they're really keen to make sure that 401 00:14:41,644 --> 00:14:44,465 every patient knows about and has access to, 402 00:14:45,164 --> 00:14:47,725 the support services that we know can make 403 00:14:47,725 --> 00:14:50,460 a really meaningful difference in in their end 404 00:14:50,460 --> 00:14:53,440 outcomes by helping them reduce complications, 405 00:14:53,980 --> 00:14:54,480 avoid, 406 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:56,720 you know, injury and, 407 00:14:57,180 --> 00:14:58,240 lingering health, 408 00:14:59,259 --> 00:15:01,120 outcomes that can really 409 00:15:01,595 --> 00:15:04,154 not only impact the immediate postpartum period, but 410 00:15:04,154 --> 00:15:06,095 really have an impact on a woman and 411 00:15:06,634 --> 00:15:08,894 her family for for years to come. 412 00:15:09,835 --> 00:15:12,154 Absolutely. I love that. I I think that 413 00:15:12,154 --> 00:15:14,795 is so helpful to hear about it, know 414 00:15:14,795 --> 00:15:16,279 those things are in the works, and, you 415 00:15:16,279 --> 00:15:18,540 know, that postpartum period is so critical, 416 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,460 for so many families. 417 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:22,840 Now anything else you'd like to talk about 418 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:24,519 before we wrap up here in terms of 419 00:15:24,519 --> 00:15:26,440 growth? Where are some of the other opportunities 420 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:28,679 that you're seeing in ways that the organization 421 00:15:28,679 --> 00:15:29,820 is looking to expand? 422 00:15:30,855 --> 00:15:33,995 Yeah. I think the, really exciting part of 423 00:15:34,054 --> 00:15:35,975 what I mentioned before about the way that 424 00:15:35,975 --> 00:15:37,754 we're working hand in hand 425 00:15:38,294 --> 00:15:40,554 with health systems, with inpatient units, 426 00:15:40,934 --> 00:15:42,235 you know, that is a 427 00:15:42,710 --> 00:15:45,429 a key focus for us going forward because 428 00:15:45,429 --> 00:15:46,970 it allows us to really 429 00:15:47,590 --> 00:15:50,389 not just address the needs of patients who, 430 00:15:50,389 --> 00:15:52,710 you know, happen to find us, but also 431 00:15:52,710 --> 00:15:53,450 to create 432 00:15:53,990 --> 00:15:54,970 a much more, 433 00:15:55,429 --> 00:15:57,610 standard experience for patients 434 00:15:58,764 --> 00:16:00,445 in some of these areas where they may 435 00:16:00,445 --> 00:16:01,584 not have awareness 436 00:16:01,964 --> 00:16:04,125 around, you know, what is my pelvic floor, 437 00:16:04,125 --> 00:16:05,504 why should I see a PT, 438 00:16:06,125 --> 00:16:07,345 or just the common, 439 00:16:08,125 --> 00:16:11,004 occurrence that is that, you know, perinatal mood 440 00:16:11,004 --> 00:16:13,424 and anxiety disorders, how commonly they occur, 441 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:16,639 and therefore, why, you know, preventive therapy might 442 00:16:16,639 --> 00:16:19,519 be of of benefit for them. So for 443 00:16:19,519 --> 00:16:22,159 us, we we are really focused in the 444 00:16:22,159 --> 00:16:25,919 coming year on deepening those relationships, on building 445 00:16:25,919 --> 00:16:26,740 new partnerships. 446 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:29,225 And it's something actually even at the, you 447 00:16:29,225 --> 00:16:31,545 know, last Becker's event that we were at. 448 00:16:31,705 --> 00:16:34,504 We heard so much openness and excitement from 449 00:16:34,504 --> 00:16:37,085 health system partners who are also recognizing 450 00:16:37,865 --> 00:16:40,605 there's so much opportunity to engage with patients 451 00:16:41,289 --> 00:16:43,049 outside the four walls of their clinics, of 452 00:16:43,049 --> 00:16:46,169 their hospital, and really looking for innovative ways 453 00:16:46,169 --> 00:16:47,710 that they can partner with, 454 00:16:48,490 --> 00:16:51,629 with startups, with health tech organizations that are 455 00:16:51,929 --> 00:16:52,669 are really 456 00:16:52,970 --> 00:16:53,470 innovative 457 00:16:54,105 --> 00:16:54,845 and complementary 458 00:16:55,144 --> 00:16:58,184 to that traditional care system. So for us, 459 00:16:58,184 --> 00:17:00,264 that's a big focus in the coming year 460 00:17:00,264 --> 00:17:02,845 is is really finding more of those partners 461 00:17:02,904 --> 00:17:06,664 who wanna bring that really innovative experience to 462 00:17:06,664 --> 00:17:09,224 women and families, and they recognize the importance 463 00:17:09,224 --> 00:17:11,599 of this health care consumer, this health care 464 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:12,500 decision maker, 465 00:17:13,279 --> 00:17:15,839 and wanna be delivering that that kind of 466 00:17:15,839 --> 00:17:19,059 gold standard around this really important moment 467 00:17:19,759 --> 00:17:22,575 of building their family, of, you know, starting 468 00:17:22,575 --> 00:17:24,335 to decide, okay, this is where we're gonna 469 00:17:24,335 --> 00:17:25,234 go for care. 470 00:17:25,775 --> 00:17:27,855 So that's probably for us, you know, the 471 00:17:27,855 --> 00:17:30,575 biggest opportunity that we see is is just 472 00:17:30,575 --> 00:17:32,595 taking this type of support to 473 00:17:32,894 --> 00:17:34,575 more patients and doing that in a way 474 00:17:34,575 --> 00:17:36,900 that really works hand in hand with the 475 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:38,279 care that they're already receiving, 476 00:17:39,059 --> 00:17:41,080 you know, from systems on the ground. 477 00:17:42,259 --> 00:17:44,019 I love that. Thank you, Megan, so much 478 00:17:44,019 --> 00:17:45,779 for joining us on the podcast today. This 479 00:17:45,779 --> 00:17:48,500 has been such a fantastic and informative discussion, 480 00:17:48,500 --> 00:17:50,019 and I look forward to connecting with you 481 00:17:50,019 --> 00:17:50,840 again soon. 482 00:17:51,441 --> 00:17:52,981 Wonderful. Thanks so much, Laura.