Providence Saint John's Health Center and Mahmee Partner to Expand Breastfeeding Services and Enhance Maternal Health Care

Proud to share recent media coverage from the Los Angeles Daily News about Providence Saint John's Health Center's partnership with Mahmee to support families.

Santa Monica, Calif. (January 11, 2024) – Providence Saint John's Health Center is today announcing a partnership with Mahmee, a wraparound maternal health care company, to expand lactation care, enrich the postpartum experience and provide seamless support for new parents when they leave the hospital.

Starting this month, Mahmee’s international board-certified lactation consultants will begin providing personalized support during the crucial hours following delivery. Studies show early support has a significant impact on breast/chestfeeding initiation and continuation, delivering a range of positive health benefits to mothers, birthing people and babies.

“Our decision to have Mahmee's consultants available on-site from day one is a testament to our commitment to ensuring every mother can start feeding her baby with confidence and expertise," said Tiffany Grunwald, M.D., FACS, executive medical director of the Women's Health & Wellness Institute at Providence Saint John’s.

In the month following delivery, Providence Saint John’s patients will have access to a complimentary Mahmee membership. This membership includes a dedicated team of nurses, doulas, lactation consultants, mental health coaches, nutrition coaches and care coordinators, available seven days a week. Patients will benefit from continuous monitoring of their postpartum vital signs, support groups and classes, unlimited messaging support and more.

Teresa M. Claeson, MSN, RN, NE-BC, executive director of the hospital’s women’s health services, commended the partnership, saying, "This collaboration signifies our dedication to providing comprehensive wraparound support to our maternity patients. By working with Mahmee, we are expanding our impact on families by offering essential support services, including mental health care and remote patient monitoring."

While Providence Saint John's has long championed maternal health care support, the partnership with Mahmee marks a monumental stride in creating a safety net during the most vulnerable phase of childbirth: the postpartum period. This time leaves mothers and birthing people particularly susceptible as routine medical visits become less frequent and traveling for appointments becomes more challenging.

“Our partnership with Providence Saint John’s aims to alleviate the difficulties that new mothers and families face after birth," said Mahmee’s co-founder and director of care programs, Linda Hanna, RNC, MSN/Ed., IBCLC. “As veteran maternal health care practitioners, we know how to make this transition as smooth and nurturing as possible.”

With thousands of deliveries each year at the hospital, the program ensures all patients, regardless of insurance coverage or income level, receive the indispensable care they deserve.

“At a time when many hospitals are grappling with resource constraints and scaling back on maternal health support, our joint effort is setting a bold example of commitment to maternity care,” said Mahmee’s medical director Amanda Williams, M.D., MPH, FACOG. “We stand together in fostering maternal health care equity for all families.”

###

About Providence

Providence is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 52 hospitals, over 1,000 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 120,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.

About Providence Southern California

Providence Southern California is Southern California's largest health system with 11 hospitals, more than 100 clinics, outpatient centers, TrinityCare Hospice and its TrinityKids Care pediatric hospice, Providence High School, home health care services, eight wellness centers, telehealth and numerous physician groups in its Southern California Region. Providence is committed to an enduring mission of outreach to the poor and vulnerable, and last year contributed $485 million in services, programs and charity care to those in need.

About Mahmee

Based in Los Angeles, California, Mahmee is a wraparound maternal healthcare company on a mission to make the United States the best place in the world to give birth. Emphasizing a tech-enabled, team-based approach, Mahmee offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support families through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Mahmee improves outcomes and increases access to maternal healthcare by partnering with health systems and insurance companies. The company is backed by notable investors such as Serena Williams, Mark Cuban, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Learn more at mahmee.com.