Her Organization Has A Perfect Track Record Preventing Maternal Deaths During Childbirth. But She Knows One Day It Won’t.

Aza Nedhari set out to solve an enormous problem facing women giving birth. The US has the highest rate of maternal death of any high-income country, and within the US, that rate is by far the highest for Black women.

Researchers estimate that most of these deaths are preventable. To fix this, Aza helped invent a new type of community health worker, a perinatal community health worker, coordinating across medical professionals and generations of family members to reshape the environment around expecting mothers.

Over more than a decade, her organization, Mamatoto Village, has a perfect track record: four thousand families and zero maternal deaths. But what kind of toll does perfection take when navigating complex health systems, economic inequality, and bias? And how important is it to celebrate now when you know that eventually, statistically, you will lose at least one?

1:25 Mamatoto Village’s history and the story behind its name

4:45 The stark maternal mortality statistics facing Black women and why these disparities persist across income and education levels.

7:30 The unique challenges facing families in Washington, DC’s Wards 7 and 8, where maternal mortality rates are especially severe

9:20 Aza traces the roots of today’s maternal health inequities through American history, public policy, and healthcare system design.

11:45 Black patients often must advocate forcefully to receive appropriate healthcare and be heard by providers.

18:55 Serena Williams’ experience gave these disparities a national audience.

23:10 Mamatoto Village’s intervention model and how it operates on the ground. It’s a three-generation approach, educating not only mothers but also partners, grandparents, and extended family members.

25:30 The Perinatal Community Health Worker credential that Aza and her co-founder created

31:20 How do healthcare providers respond to Mamatoto’s involvement with patients?

34:45 Mamatoto Village’s extraordinary track record: over 4,000 families served with zero maternal deaths. But should they continue to tout that number?

44:40 The first time they met, Lionel made Aza cry.

46:15 Aza explains the immense personal weight of leading a social change organization and carrying community stories.

49:45 Aza reflects on sustainable leadership practices and the need for strong support systems around founders and social entrepreneurs.

55:00 Mamatoto Village’s proprietary electronic health record platform

58:40 Aza shares future initiatives, including a new birth center east of the river in Washington, DC