Dr. AkkeNeel Talsma and Maternity Metrix
Dr. AkkeNeel Talsma, a highly accomplished healthcare innovator and founder of Maternity Metrix, has dedicated her career to addressing the informational gaps faced by pregnant women. With a PhD in Nursing and an MS in Community Health Nursing from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Talsma brings decades of expertise to her work. Her latest creation, Maternity Metrix, is a web-based app designed to provide evidence-based health guidance in a format that is practical, inclusive, and accessible. Talsma’s approach is a blend of expertise, empathy, and collaboration, aimed at reducing the risks associated with pregnancy while empowering women and their families.
The development of Maternity Metrix reflects an unwavering commitment to listening to the needs of its users. Recognizing that traditional healthcare communication can often feel clinical and intimidating, Talsma and her team flipped the script. “We recreated the app from the perspective of pregnant women,” she explained, “not as nurses telling them what to do.”
User-Centric Design
To achieve this, the team gathered extensive feedback from key stakeholders, including doulas (women employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during labor), senior nursing students, and healthcare professionals. These insights helped shape the app’s simple and straightforward interface, tailored for a fourth to sixth-grade reading level and featuring intuitive graphics. The focus was on creating a tool that women could use easily and quickly, whether they were “in the parking lot of Taco Bell” or in remote areas with limited service.
The app’s content goes beyond basic pregnancy advice, addressing vital health challenges that can have long-term implications. It offers guidance on monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and anemia—common yet preventable complications during pregnancy. Additionally, it educates users on the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and marijuana use, debunking myths about the safety of natural or herbal substances.
Addressing Preterm Births
At its core, Maternity Metrix aims to reduce preterm births, which Talsma identifies as a pressing issue. “Preterm births aren’t just a health challenge; they’re a financial burden,” she said, noting the annual $400 million Wisconsin spends on addressing preterm birth complications. By equipping women with accessible and actionable health information, the app seeks to improve maternal outcomes, reduce Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions (care for premature and critically ill newborns), and alleviate the emotional and financial toll on families.
The success of Maternity Metrix is rooted in its strong partnerships with initial funding from multiple Greater Milwaukee Foundation donor funds including the Raymond and Bernice Eschenburg Fund; the Mr. and Mrs. William A. Johnson Fund; and the Alma Smith Wright Fund. The UWM Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC) offered space and resources for brainstorming and development. The UWM Research Foundation further supported the project with grants that enabled the transition from concept to reality.
Community Impact and Health Education
Dr. Talsma’s work also extends deeply into community engagement. Collaborations with African American church health ministries and Promotores de Salud have been instrumental in adapting the app to serve diverse populations. These partnerships have also facilitated the creation of a Spanish version of the app, broadening its accessibility and impact.
One of the most exciting developments in the pipeline is the integration of telehealth functionality. This feature will allow community healthcare workers and doulas to connect with pregnant women securely through video calls, enabling consistent support and personalized guidance. “With this grant, we’re reaching out to community organizations to adopt Maternity Metrix and incorporate it into their programs,” Talsma shared.
The app’s design also supports group education. Talsma envisions it being used as a curriculum tool for doulas and non-licensed providers, helping them deliver structured and effective health education. This adaptability ensures that Maternity Metrix can meet the varied needs of women across different settings and circumstances.
Future Innovations and Accessibility
Dr. Talsma’s initiative is more than just a technological solution, it’s a testament to the power of innovation to drive social good. By addressing healthcare inequities and making critical information accessible, Maternity Metrix has the potential to transform how expectant mothers approach their pregnancies.
“This project isn’t just about an app,” Talsma emphasized. “It’s about contributing to community health, supporting families, and creating positive environments for mothers and children.”
As the app continues to expand its reach, Talsma invites UWM students and faculty to join her in exploring the intersections of innovation, healthcare, and community impact. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the profound change that can occur when expertise is combined with a commitment to serving others.
With its focus on simplicity, inclusivity, and actionable health guidance, Maternity Metrix is poised to become a cornerstone of accessible healthcare for families across Wisconsin—and beyond.
– Written by LEC Innovation Intern, Nikko Javier. Connect with Nikko on LinkedIn!