Innovators Break Health Barriers, Boost Community Impact

American Heart Association honors two mission-driven organizations using tech to improve access to care and essential benefits

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:55am

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The American Heart Association has recognized two community-focused innovators, Mammha and ThriveLink, for their scalable solutions to transform maternal mental health care and streamline enrollment in life-changing programs like Medicaid and food assistance. Powered by the Association's Social Impact Funds and EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator, these mission-driven organizations are using technology to break down barriers and improve lives.

Why it matters

Cardiovascular disease is projected to affect 6 in 10 U.S. adults, underscoring the critical need for innovative approaches to improve access to care and essential benefits, especially in underserved communities. The American Heart Association's support for Mammha and ThriveLink demonstrates its commitment to lifting up local, community-based solutions that can scale nationally.

The details

Mammha, based in Miami, is transforming perinatal mental health care with a text- and web-based platform that streamlines screening, referral and treatment to help more mothers experiencing depression and anxiety receive timely, culturally relevant support. ThriveLink, headquartered in St. Louis, uses AI-powered voice technology to make it easier for families to enroll in programs like Medicaid and food assistance, removing internet and literacy barriers to connect people with life-changing resources.

  • The American Heart Association honored the two organizations on January 28, 2026 in New York City.
  • Mammha and ThriveLink are part of the Association's ongoing Social Impact Funds and EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator programs, launched in 2018.

The players

American Heart Association

A non-profit organization focused on cardiovascular health and research, with a mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

Mammha

A Miami-based startup transforming perinatal mental health care with a text- and web-based platform that streamlines screening, referral and treatment.

Maureen Fura

The founder and CEO of Mammha.

ThriveLink

A St. Louis-based organization using AI-powered voice technology to make it easier for families to enroll in essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance.

Kwamane Liddell

The founder and CEO of ThriveLink.

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What they’re saying

“The American Heart Association has a long history of impact, but the challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership. What you see through Impact with Heart are powerful examples of what's possible when mission-driven innovators are given the resources, trust and support to scale ideas that remove barriers to care and improve lives.”

— Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer (American Heart Association)

The takeaway

By supporting innovative, community-focused solutions like Mammha and ThriveLink, the American Heart Association is demonstrating its commitment to tackling the social drivers of health and ensuring more people have access to the care and essential benefits they need to live longer, healthier lives.