In each edition we delve into the minds of those who are redefining the boundaries of health. Our goal is to share the insights and stories of those leading the way to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for everyone.

In this edition I have been speaking to Sivan Sadan, Executive Vice President of HeraMED Limitedwho is shaking up the world of maternity care.

The modern maternity model is arguably very outdated. Could you tell us how HeraMED is transforming the industry and enabling equitable care for women around the world?

HeraMED is addressing the limitations inherent in traditional maternity care models through the strategic use of technology, fostering a remote care experience that is both personalized and proactive for pregnant patients.

HeraMED developed HeraCARE, a holistic patient engagement software platform that provides educational content by the Mayo Clinic, customizable care plans, mental health surveys and proactive monitoring. Proactive monitoring is done through various connected devices such as our unique FHR/MHR monitor HeraBEAT, as well as off the shelf devices such as Blood Pressure monitors, Scales, Glucose monitoring and more.

This innovative approach signifies a departure from conventional models, which were predominantly designed around the needs of healthcare providers. Looking ahead, I envision a future where expecting mothers are at the focal point of care. In my view, our technological solutions are poised to not only bring value to healthcare professionals and improve the quality of health, but also ensure contentment among pregnant patients, placing their well-being at the forefront.

You are an inspiring champion for women’s health, could you please tell us a little on how you personally were inspired to become part of the world of health?

Thank you for the compliment. I’ve always held a strong interest in health. When confronted with the decision of choosing a career path in my youth, I wrestled with the dilemma of becoming a doctor or pursuing a business career. Despite harboring a desire for both, it appeared unattainable at the time. Ultimately, I chose a career in business. It’s fascinating how my life’s journey remains intertwined with health as I found myself immersed in the business side of a digital health startup.

Upon encountering HeraMED, it struck a chord with me, evoking memories of my own pregnancy experience. Reflecting on the challenges I faced during my first pregnancy, now 21 years ago, particularly the complications towards the end and the unacknowledged postpartum depression, I felt a profound connection. Recognizing that HeraMED presents a solution capable of revolutionizing maternity care, I felt compelled to join the company. My motivation springs from the belief that we can genuinely make a meaningful impact on women’s health.

Could you please give us some more insight into the HeraCARE platform and the difference HeraBEAT is making to mothers going through the journey of pregnancy?

HeraCARE is leveraging technology to provide a more personalized, proactive, and efficient remote care experience for pregnant patients.

We are highly regarded by pregnant women. In surveys encompassing over 600 women who utilized our technology, we received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Both HeraCARE and HeraBEAT play a crucial role in providing peace of mind.

Our approach has the potential to contribute significantly not only to peace of mind but also to the improvement of maternal healthcare outcomes through the following:

Customizable Care Plans: The ability to prescribe customizable care plans suggests that HeraCARE recognizes the uniqueness of each pregnancy. This personalization leads to more effective and targeted care, considering the diverse needs and conditions of expectant mothers. For example, a pregnant patient with high blood pressure will receive different care from a pregnant diabetic patient

Proactive Monitoring: The platform’s proactive approach, particularly in monitoring of patient health, is a significant advancement. This capability enables healthcare providers to identify potential issues promptly and intervene as needed, potentially reducing complications and enhancing overall maternal well-being.

Mental Health: HeraCARE facilitates the monitoring of the mental health of pregnant women through mood surveys. If deemed necessary, these surveys can activate an assessment using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to identify the requirement for mental health support, be it during the prenatal or postpartum period.

Care Management Dashboard: The intelligent care management dashboard consolidating vital information allows for a streamlined and comprehensive view of patient data. This unique technology enhances healthcare providers’ ability to make informed decisions based on a holistic understanding of the patient’s health status.

Patient Empowerment & Engagement: The expecting mother’s positive experience increases patient adherence and is crucial for ensuring that expectant mothers are empowered and engaged following prescribed care plans.

Where do you hope HeraMed will be in the next 5 years?

HeraMED’s vision encompasses a progression from its initial stage to achieving exponential growth. To date, we’ve supported 3,000 pregnancies, and I anticipate HeraMED making a substantial impact on millions of pregnancies in the future.

Moreover, a particular area of my interest revolves around our pilot collaboration with the non-profit organization “Project Rozana.” This initiative employs our technology to provide care for pregnant women in six Palestinian villages in the Hevron area. Currently, we are actively working on adapting our technology to extend pregnancy care to remote rural and maternity desert areas. My hope is that within the next five years, women in rural areas will have increased access to our technology.

The overarching goal remains consistent: to save lives and significantly contribute to enhancing maternal and fetal health on a global scale.

Could you please tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I hold a deep conviction in the significance of nurturing meaningful relationships with family and friends. I hug and kiss my kids almost every day (if I can) even though they are 21 and 19 years old, I do Pilates regularly (20 years), and recently on Saturday nights, my husband and I dance salsa and bachata. We also enjoy taking walks on the beach next to our house.

I find the human body amazing, and I’m really interested in how the body and mind are connected.

I am enthusiastic about incorporating holistic dimensions of health into our platform. Recently, we introduced Yoga for pregnancy, and we have numerous ideas to further enhance our offerings.