Using technology to provide needed nutrition care education to expecting moms, babies and families

Northern Light Women’s Health has been offering a digital nutrition platform for new and expecting mothers for the past six months, with impressive results. 

Northern Light Health is a sponsoring partner of the Roux Institute of Northeastern University’s Future of Healthcare Founders Residency, a year-long residency designed to accelerate digital health, healthcare technology, biotech, and clinical innovation startups at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey.  

 Mother of Fact, which participated in the inaugural year of the residency in 2023, offers personalized online nutrition and dietary support to pregnant and post-partum mothers via a digital platform that connects patients directly with registered dietitians. 

 Since January 2024, Mother of Fact has proven to be a tremendous resource for expecting mothers. There have been 132 referrals, with 122 nutrition telehealth sessions completed.  

 “Mother of Fact has been an amazing option for our patients,” comments Alison Hussey, RN/BSN, Northern Light Women’s Health clinical supervisor. “They have simplified the process by getting patients access very quickly via telehealth. We have received great reviews regarding the quality of the nutrition consults with the Mother of Fact dietitians.”  

 Another key aspect to having Mother of Fact offering nutrition counseling and education to patients pertains to access to such services. 

 According to Natalia Hall, MBA, associate vice president, Northern Light Women’s Health, “With Mother of Fact, we have been able to increase access to nutrition services for our patients and with that comes healthier mothers and babies. The service is extremely convenient, which is an especially important factor for pregnant women in rural areas like ours. Not only are our patients satisfied with the service, but our providers are also.” 

 Mother of Fact Registered Dietitian Destiny Nolan, MS, RDN observes, “It’s an honor to get to work with these patients and help them feel confident that they are making decisions to improve their health and their baby’s future. Seeing patients throughout their entire pregnancy and then getting to virtually meet their precious ‘Mother of Fact baby’ after we have developed a relationship is so special. The moms are always so proud of their journey and grateful for all of the support.” 

 The collaboration with Mother of Fact is in the early stages, with more opportunities to expand quality services to patients in the future. It’s an exciting example of the synergy being created through partnerships such as the Roux Institute at Northeastern University’s Future of Healthcare Founder Residency, which is not only supporting new innovations, but also generating tools and services that can directly benefit Maine residents and others beyond our great state. 

 This initial pilot project was made possible through the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) grant which was awarded to MaineHealth. The PI for this grant, Dora Anne Mills, Chief Health Improvement Officer, MaineHealth and the Program Manager for the grant, Anna Gilbert.