In Conversation With: Priya Bathija
Priya delivering the featured address at the Beazley Health Law Symposium on maternal health.
This month we spoke with Priya Bathija, founder and CEO of Nyoo (pronounced “new”) Health, which helps guide healthcare leaders as they improve access to health and healthcare for women.
We spoke shortly after Nyoo’s recent launch of new services for healthcare organizations about how she hopes to shift the conversation around women’s health. With striking clarity of purpose, Priya invites a new way of thinking about women’s health—we hope you enjoy reading.
Top three takeaways from this interview with Priya Bathija
The idea of “women’s health” needs to be expanded far beyond issues related to child-bearing and should explore links between women’s physiology and their risk for a range of chronic and acute diseases
Making meaningful change in health care delivery requires helping hospital system C-suite members see women’s health (broadly defined) as a branding issue and a matter with the potential for significant ROI
The best way to understand what patients, caregivers, and providers need is to ask them and listen closely
What inspired you to start Nyoo Health?
Nyoo Health began as a way to improve access to health and healthcare for women. We help healthcare organizations think differently about women’s health, assess where the gaps are, and then navigate toward solutions. That means looking not just at what’s missing for patients but also at what their workforce is asking for—because the healthcare workforce is predominantly female. We create action plans, facilitate workshops, and collaborate with those that want to move thought leadership forward in the women’s health arena.
I’ve heard so many stories of women who weren’t listened to or respected, who waited years for a diagnosis or treatment that worked. But I’ve also heard stories of women who were heard, who had care teams that made them feel like they mattered. The gap between those good and bad stories is exactly where I want Nyoo Health to make a difference.
You held a senior role at the American Hospital Association. What made you strike out on your own?
When you work within a large organization, especially a membership one, there are limits on what you can say or do. Women’s health, unfortunately, has been politicized and often reduced to maternal or infant health. But there’s so much more to it. For example, women who experience hypertension or gestational diabetes during pregnancy face higher risks of heart disease later in life—but we rarely educate them about that. How can we do better at alerting women to these risks and helping them connect with preventative care? I wanted the freedom to focus on those broader questions.
You’re really talking about expanding the definition of women’s health.
Exactly. Right now we’re seeing big conversations around maternal health, fertility, abortion rights, and menopause—but very little about adolescent medicine, endocrinology, bone health, or brain health. Two out of three people with Alzheimer’s are women, and we still don’t fully understand why. There’s likely a connection to estrogen, but the clinical research hasn’t caught up. We need a much more comprehensive view of women’s health across the lifespan.
You’ve said that women’s health can be a branding issue. What do you mean by that?
When a hospital invests in women’s health, it’s also saying, “We see you. We respect you. You matter here.” That can become a powerful part of their brand — but only if it’s backed by real action. If you’re going to say, We’ve got your back, you have to make sure women have better access, better outcomes, and better experiences. Branding and care delivery have to move hand in hand.
You’ve mentioned that women are eager to share their experiences. How do you gather those stories?
Honestly, I just say the words “women’s health,” and people start talking. Every time I speak or teach, someone approaches me afterward to share their story. I once held an informal discussion with members of the South Asian Bar Association, and within an hour every woman in the room had opened up about her experiences—some positive, many painful. There were tears, laughter, and so much relief at finally being able to talk about it. These stories are powerful because they show both what’s broken and what’s possible when women are heard.
Last question — chocolate or garlic?
I’m not a huge chocolate fan, but I love sweets — cakes, cookies, Skittles… pure sugar is my jam.
