About Uwa
At its core
Uwa’s mission is to optimize the postpartum experience, making it safer and more rewarding for all families. By offering a comprehensive, accessible and inclusive option, our goal is to re-conceptualize the U.S. paradigm of postnatal care, making what has been an afterthought become the standard of care for everyone regardless of race, religion, culture or socioeconomic background.
About our name
As a Nigerian our founder grew up in a culture where people are taught to look to their villages to guide and ground them no matter where they are in life. The heart and foundation of villages are the mothers, as the ones who guide the future and preserve the past. The word Uwa (ooo-wah), meaning mother in our Dr.Kwaji’s native tongue of Hausa, embodies that essence.
Meet your Uwa Team
Farida Kwaji, MD FAAP
Uwa Founder, CEO and Mommy to 3
In 2018 while working as a pediatric urgent care physician I started my journey into motherhood and struggled through high risk pregnancies, delivery complications, and what I assumed was a typical postpartum recovery. I was shocked by the lack of support as I struggled through healing and adjusting to motherhood. With limited time off from work and on returning to work, I constantly felt the pressure of juggling my healing with caring for my newborn and finding answers to our questions. So much time was wasted on where to find the information, how to access it, and who to trust.
Having built a community of mothers and resources of professional knowledge from my first postpartum experience, during my subsequent experiences I was able to recover more quickly and engage with my infants more fully. Every mother should be able to have that experience every time. Professionally, I saw the toll this gap in care placed on mothers, their families and on the existing healthcare infrastructure. With over 15 years of medical training and clinical experience I still struggled, so what were other mothers doing? In Uwa, I wanted to provide a comprehensive space for women to access evidence-based support while learning how to become the type of mothers they want to be.
Operations Manager and Mommy to 2
Donna Brown
As a certified training instructor in CPR, BLS, AED, and First Aid, with 16 years of dedicated service in leadership roles within the healthcare industry, I have a profound commitment to advocating for maternal health and a passion for fostering the well-being of mothers and infants. This resonates throughout my work as an entrepreneur and as a single mom. I have founded organizations that provide families with essential life-saving skills, caregiving, and household management solutions to give them peace of mind. I'm excited to continue making a meaningful impact with Uwa by ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and delivering high-quality service to mothers and infants on all levels.
Clinical Advisory Team
Public and Digital Health Advisory
Thaïs Diaz, MPH
As a public health professional, I have always been drawn to family health, health promotion, and health education. After spending the last few years in Europe, I saw the differences in the European and U.S. healthcare systems in how postpartum families are supported and have access to high quality, evidence-based information and guidance. I cannot wait to continue my work in the women’s health field through Uwa by bridging the existing postnatal gap and helping to create educational materials with attention to health literacy. My goal is to boost families' confidence to make informed health decisions during an already confusing time.
Kiana Ayers, RN IBCLC LCCE
Lactation Advisory and Mommy to 4
As a dedicated lactation consultant and after breastfeeding my 4 children, I am committed to empowering breastfeeding journeys for all. With a passion for prenatal education and community support, I appreciate the vital role of informed care and nurturing environments in achieving breastfeeding success. Through my advocacy work with Ready Set Push, I continue to champion access to lactation care and human milk for families everywhere. In joining Uwa, I hope to help guide a transformative journey towards empowering thriving breastfeeding experiences.
Andrea Braden, MD FACOG
Maternal Health Advisor and Mommy to 5
As an Obstetrician-Gynecologist with over 13 years of experience, I am passionate about enhancing postpartum care and lactation support through technology. With a proven track record as a thought leader and national expert in postpartum health, I am dedicated to empowering parents to make the best decisions for themselves and their newborns. I find joy in counseling families on routine care and more complex concerns, always striving to build a supportive community. I am thrilled to join Uwa in reshaping the postpartum experience, focusing on caring for birthing parents and babies outside of the hospital setting.
Angelica Whaley, PT DPT, WCS
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Advisor
As a board-certified clinical specialist in women’s/pelvic health physical therapy, my focus in the perinatal space is in preparing birthing persons physically for labor and delivery and facilitating a smooth postpartum recovery. My hope is that through Uwa, in doing the work that I do in movement, exercise, mobility, strength, flexibility, and patient education, we can reach individuals early and impact their journeys in such a way that the body can perform physically undeterred during labour and delivery, heal safely with evidenced-based guidance, and recover optimal function with ease in the postpartum period.
Tamara Hunter, LPC
Mental Health Advisor and Mommy to 1
As a Perinatal Mental Health Therapist, I am excited about the increase in awareness, education, and activism for Maternal Health. Uwa’s mission of holistic care aligns with my passion for supporting mothers and birthing people during one of the most critical and vulnerable periods of their lives. My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that meets the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of postpartum mothers and birthing people. Through Uwa, I hope to create a nurturing environment where members feel heard, supported, and empowered as they navigate the challenges and joys of motherhood.
Khalilah Johnson, RDN
Maternal Nutrition Advisor
As a registered dietitian with a focus and passion for women’s health, particularly maternal health, I have had the opportunity to support many friends and family members during pregnancy and postpartum. I currently work as a perinatal RD, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experience in the field of maternal nutrition with the Uwa community as a member of the clinical advisory team.