Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America has named Indian American physician-scientist Dr. Neel Shah as its new president to lead its clinical and strategic agenda aimed at addressing the national maternal health crisis.
The bipartisan campaign, founded in May 2026 by philanthropist Olivia Walton, is working toward a goal of reducing the U.S. maternal mortality rate by 50% within five years.
In his new capacity, Shah will work alongside Walton and Executive Director Robin Reck to expand frontline clinical solutions and collaborate with medical providers, policymakers, and business leaders.
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Shah, an Indian American physician, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and grew up in Hyde Park, New York, and Holmdel, New Jersey. He earned his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and his medical degree from Brown University, along with a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.He completed his residency training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Throughout his career, Shah has focused on health care equity, system design, and maternal safety. Prior to joining the campaign, he served as Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic, overseeing care delivery models reaching millions of patients globally.
A lecturer and former assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, he also founded TeamBirth, a clinical workflow program designed to improve communication and safety during labor that has been adopted by hundreds of hospitals nationwide.
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The appointment comes as public health organizations continue to highlight severe outcomes in U.S. maternal care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation experiences the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries, with most pregnancy-related deaths identified as preventable.
Research from Heartland Forward estimates that complications surrounding maternal health cost the U.S. economy approximately $165 billion annually. In taking on the role, Shah noted that addressing disparities across health systems remains a central focus of the organization’s mission.
“A mother’s chance of coming home safely shouldn’t turn on which hospital she reaches or which day she goes into labor,” Shah said, emphasizing that turning existing research into standard practice across all communities will be crucial to reducing preventable deaths.