Five years ago, Dr. Chitra Akileswaran founded Cleo with the philosophy that parents need trusted relationships and guidance, not necessarily more medical care, to balance all the complexities of family health on top of their own careers. Since then, Cleo’s Guide organization has grown to a team of over 90 birth workers, educators, mental health experts, and more, providing Cleo members personalized support all around the world.
As Cleo has grown, so has our commitment to delivering evidence-based care that improves health outcomes. From the nation’s Black maternal health crisis to rising levels of pediatric mental health issues, the demand for programs that can anticipate a family’s needs and provide effective intervention has only increased. Families are facing a range of challenges that call for greater, more specialized support. In fact, our latest survey of working parents found that more than half of families are dealing with some type of pediatric health concern, a third of which is a neurodivergent or mental health condition.
For Cleo members, our unique, relationship-based approach with medical experts in the background shows real results for the most pressing challenges parents face. 30% of Cleo members report that Cleo support and preventative care has helped them avoid a medical or clinical escalation. And 92% of Cleo members return to work after parental leave compared to an industry average of 60%.
As we continue to meet families’ most urgent needs, we are thrilled to introduce Cleo’s Clinical Advisory Board of industry-leading and forward-thinking health professionals. They bring expertise in areas critical to today’s working families including neonatology development, pediatrics, better Medicaid support for marginalized communities, and improved Black maternal health outcomes. With the Clinical Advisory Board’s support, Cleo expands its commitment to evidence-based support for parents that improve whole family health outcomes.
Joining Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chitra Akileswaran are:
Dr. Seth Bokser, MD
Dr. Seth Bokser has two decades of experience caring for working families as Clinical professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School. He is a Board Certified Clinical Informaticist and has led many digital-health innovations throughout his career in the domains of telehealth, electronic medical records, and connected medical devices. Read more.
Dr Monica R. McLemore, RN, PhD, FAAN
Dr. Monica R. McLemore is a tenured associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco in the Family Health Care Nursing Department, an affiliated scientist with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, and a member of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health. Read more.
Adimika Arthur
Adimika Arthur is a healthcare executive with significant leadership commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Trained as a clinical epidemiologist, Adimika is now a successful healthcare administrator with a proven record of developing innovative strategies to improve the delivery and quality of health services, increase access to care, and stabilize struggling organizations. Read more.
Dr. Pamela J. Simms-Mackey, MD, FAAP
Dr. Pamela J. Simms-Mackey, MD, FAAP is the Chair of Pediatrics and Chief of Graduate Medical Education at Alameda Health System. Prior to her role at AHS, Simms-Mackey was the director of Graduate Medical Education and Pediatric Residency Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. She also holds an appointment as a clinical professor of Pediatrics with University of California, San Francisco’s School of Medicine, educating medical students as well as pediatric residents. Read more.
In partnership with our growing team of in-house clinicians, these new Board members will be active participants in our continued innovation of clinical programs. Collaborative learning and a perspective in challenging traditional practices of our health systems and telehealth programs is critical to producing better outcomes. And in connecting with the boldest leaders in areas of equity, access and outcomes, and focusing on those most often left behind, we will improve outcomes for all members.