Healthcare startup founder on how diverse leadership helps address health inequities

All the co-founders of Yuvo Health, a startup that helps community health centers access lucrative value-based contracts with Medicaid, come from diverse backgrounds. That representation serves a purpose beyond checking boxes, says Janel Sia, co-founder and chief operating officer. The four-founder team's diversity across race and gender has helped them understand the healthcare experience of people of color and, thus, boosted their ability to address equity issues accordingly. Sia adds that because some members of the team had at one point received services from federally qualified health centers, which are the company's clients now, it better informs them about which immediate needs to address.

What exactly are federally qualified health centers, and why is their work important?

FQHCs are our nation's safety-net providers, giving quality care to those who need it most and serving many Medicaid beneficiaries and people living in poverty. Studies have suggested at least 20 million people living in more than 4,000 medically underserved areas across the country would need their services.

What is your team's mission?

Each of us has diverse experiences interacting with healthcare but also expertise in different areas. I come from a history of working with community-based organizations and nonprofits that serve communities, and the other co-founders have worked in legal, health tech and health [insurance] plans. That allows us to know not only what the current situation is but what it can improve to be. We are creating this pathway for federally qualified health centers to sustainably maximize their revenue to be able to serve people more deeply.

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Do health center patients feel they receive dignified care?

A few months ago I was doing a patient-engagement project with a health center in Midtown, learning more about healthcare interaction among community members. What struck me was when someone said, "I've always been a poor person, so whatever healthcare I can get right now is probably pretty good." But it was said in such a non-hopeful way, which was sad to hear. There was a sense of "I am lesser than society" and "I don't deserve dignified healthcare."

How are your clients feeling about the possibility of making improvements?

Although there's a sense of FQHCs feeling left behind, there's consistent hopefulness for something to make things better for them operationally. They're open to trying new models, but they need to be looped in earlier so that they can have a say and fully understand what's going on. But even despite the challenges they face, they remain dedicated to serving people in their communities. These are organizations tasked to do the most with the least amount of money. They'll never turn someone who needs services away just because they can't pay or fill out paperwork. Their belief in their mission is extra motivating for our team to try harder to help them.

This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain's New York Business.