Two Innovators Make Healthcare Easier for Underserved Families

Imagine being able to get mental health support through a simple text message, or applying for food assistance just by speaking on the phone.

Two organizations recognized by the American Heart Association are making these scenarios reality for families who need help the most. Mammha and ThriveLink received the 2026 Impact with Heart recognition for their innovative approaches to removing healthcare barriers.

Mammha, based in Miami and founded by CEO Maureen Fura, is transforming how new mothers get mental health support. The platform uses text and web-based tools to screen, refer, and treat mothers experiencing depression and anxiety. The support is culturally relevant and reaches mothers both in clinics and remotely, meeting them where they are.

ThriveLink, headquartered in St. Louis, tackles a different but equally critical problem. CEO Kwamane Liddell created an AI-powered voice technology that helps families enroll in essential programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and utility support simply by speaking. No internet required, no complex forms to read.

The timing matters more than ever. At least six in 10 U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease in the coming years, with related healthcare costs expected to triple. Heart disease and stroke already kill more people than all forms of cancer combined.

But healthy hearts need more than just clinical care. They need access to insurance, transportation, nutritious food, and mental health support. These are exactly the gaps Mammha and ThriveLink are filling.

The American Heart Association is backing both organizations through its Social Impact Funds and EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator programs. These initiatives provide investment capital, coaching, and strategic guidance to help health-focused entrepreneurs scale their solutions nationwide.

The Ripple Effect

What started as local solutions in Miami and St. Louis are now available nationwide. ThriveLink's voice technology removes literacy and internet barriers that keep millions of families from accessing programs that could change their lives. Mammha's platform ensures mothers don't slip through the cracks during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

The Association's Social Impact Funds, launched in 2018, support both for-profit and nonprofit organizations tackling healthcare access, food security, and economic vitality. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator provides MBA-style training to help health entrepreneurs refine their business models and prepare to scale.

"The challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. What these innovators prove is that sometimes the best solutions come from understanding exactly what communities need and building tools that actually work for them.

When healthcare meets you where you are, whether through a text message or a phone call, everyone gets a better shot at a healthy life.