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Technology Alone Will Not Fix Maternal Health. Humanity, Equity, and Innovation Together Can.
Every birth tells a story of hope, but for far too many women, especially Black mothers, that story has become one of risk. In the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, a gap that has persisted for decades despite advances in medicine and technology. Behind every number is a mother, a family, and a community forever changed.
Catalyst by Wellstar believes that improving maternal health outcomes requires more than new tools. It requires rebuilding trust, representation, and access at the foundation of care. This commitment is why Catalyst is proud to invest in Mae, a culturally responsive digital solution that bridges clinical, social, and cultural gaps in maternal care through technology and community-based support.
Honoring Wellstar’s Leadership in Doula Care
This partnership builds on the impactful work already underway across the Wellstar system. Nearly two years ago, Wellstar became the first health system in Georgia to launch a hospital-based doula program, a pioneering initiative designed to provide emotional, physical, and educational support to pregnant and postpartum families. Since then, the program has expanded to include a Healthy Start component and continues to deliver outstanding outcomes, connecting patients with compassionate, culturally aligned support at critical moments in their care.
The leadership and results demonstrated by Wellstar’s program directly inspired Catalyst to explore how this success could be expanded beyond Georgia. Catalyst is honoring and amplifying that work by taking the proven strengths of Wellstar’s model and helping scale that vision nationally. Mae operates outside of Georgia and focuses on Medicaid and Medicaid-expansion states beyond Wellstar’s footprint, creating a natural and complementary extension. This partnership represents an opportunity to elevate Wellstar’s pioneering approach and extend its impact on maternal health across the country.
Voices of Partnership
“At Catalyst, we are investing in solutions that make healthcare more human. Mae’s approach bridges technology and culture to meet mothers where they are, in their communities and in the moments that matter most. This is not only about improving birth outcomes. It is about restoring trust and dignity to the process of becoming a parent. And it builds on the extraordinary foundation Wellstar has already created here in Georgia.”
Stefanie Diaz, Principal, Innovation and Venture Strategy for Catalyst by Wellstar
“Expanding access to doula care and other critical resources proven to address inherent maternal health disparities is foundational to our work at Mae. Partnering with Catalyst by Wellstar is an incredible opportunity, given Wellstar’s leading position in patient care, to co-define a model that meaningfully embeds doulas into health systems. This work can serve as an example not only in Georgia, but across the nation. Together, we look forward to scaling comprehensive, culturally responsive, digitally enabled maternity support to improve outcomes for mothers everywhere.”
Maya Hardigan, Founder and CEO, Mae
A Shared Commitment to Health, Humanity, and Hope
Catalyst by Wellstar invests in transformative ideas that redefine what health means and how it is delivered. Maternal care is one of the most powerful levers for long-term community health, shaping outcomes for generations.
Together with Mae, Catalyst and Wellstar are supporting a future where:
This partnership goes beyond investing in technology. It is an investment in mothers, families, and the conviction that equitable beginnings create healthier futures for all. It honors the pioneering work Wellstar began in Georgia and expands that vision to communities nationwide.
