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Isn't it strange? We live in a world where we can spend hours discussing movies and the underlying message of feminism, the intricacies of the latest tech gadgets, or AI and how it’s a major breakthrough for the future of all careers. But the moment the topic shifts to women's health (a subject matter that’s not new, by any means), there's almost always a sudden pause, an awkward silence, if you will. Whether it's talk of periods or reproductive choices, there's still a ton of hush-hush and side-eye.
Breaking this stigma and creating a safe space for women to come in with concerns about their health is the mission behind Kindred. “We offer a full spectrum of health and wellness services that are designed for every step of a woman’s journey–consultations with trusted healthcare professionals and specialists, contraceptives, HPV vaccine and other types of vaccines, health packages, IV therapy and more,” shares Jessica de Mesa, CEO of Kindred.
Jessica, with her background in nursing and a decade in e-commerce, found herself back in the health sector just a couple of years ago, but this time, with a unique twist. Her drive to innovate the femtech space emanated from a personal quest for quality healthcare. “Kindred is a love letter to our younger selves,” she muses, reflecting on the gaps in women’s health that the platform seeks to bridge. “My business partners, the Kindred team, and I know that we and many women around us are looking for quality healthcare as defined by us. My own personal experiences and reflections during the pandemic was what led me to go back to healthcare, but this time, combining my passion for entrepreneurship, tech, and healthcare in order to help build the future of women’s health in the Philippines.”
“There are so many barriers to accessing quality care and the right resources. That’s why at Kindred we’re so determined to help women navigate the complex healthcare system and pursue innovating in the femtech space.”
Peeling back the layers, Kindred's true allure isn't just its offerings, but its ethos. "Envision a realm where technology's precision marries the warmth of human connection–that's our idea of healthcare."
Jessica adds, “We infuse hospitality and technology in order to increase access to quality care and make it less complicated. It's about understanding the deeply human aspects of healthcare. Every tool we develop or service we offer stems from asking a simple question: ‘How does this improve the patient's journey?’"
When asked how they ensure that women feel comfortable and supported when discussing their health concerns, Jessica shares that they take a holistic approach.
“Feeling at ease is an essential part of a woman’s health journey,” she said. “Our team of healthcare professionals are non-judgemental, empathetic, reliable, and forward-thinking. They treat a patient’s concerns with privacy and confidentiality, apply a holistic approach to healthcare–caring for a woman holistically as opposed to isolated parts or systemic approach, and provide a patient-centered personalized experience to achieve the best possible health outcomes.”
Now, challenging age-old norms in women’s health hasn’t been without its skepticism, but Jessica emphasized that educating stakeholders and building a strong community of advocates have been key strategies in solidifying Kindred’s vision.
“There were moments when my assertiveness was misconstrued as aggressiveness, or my empathy was misinterpreted as weakness,” she admitted. “Overcoming this required developing a strong personal brand grounded in authenticity. I made a conscious effort to communicate with clarity and conviction, ensuring that my values, competencies, and vision were unmistakably clear to my peers and teams.”
She adds that while it’s not without trepidation, speaking up while speaking for others is just something that had to be done: “Earlier in my career, it felt isolating to be one of the few female voices in the room. However, I took it upon myself to be a voice for change. I sought mentorship, networked extensively, and advocated for more diverse hiring at leadership levels. I made sure to lift as I climbed, creating opportunities for other women, too.”
Chatting with Jessica, it's clear that her leadership journey as a woman in the healthcare sector has been nothing short of instructive. And everything that she has lived through, she makes sure to instill in herself and the organization that she heads:
“It's an honor to be in a position where I can potentially influence and shape the aspirations of future female leaders…by demystifying the path to leadership and being candid about the challenges, I hope to provide a realistic perspective that prepares them for their own paths.”
She adds, “Within our organization, I emphasize the importance of empowering young leaders, especially women, to make decisions and take on responsibilities. By entrusting them with impactful roles, we're not just speaking about empowerment; we're practicing it.”
Her golden piece of advice for budding women leaders is simple yet profound: “Don’t forget the core reason—the WHY—of your journey. When you’re fueled by a genuine wish to spark change, that passion becomes evident in everything you do, creating a ripple effect of positive change.”
Looking ahead, Jessica is bullish on Kindred’s growth. She details plans to expand their network of clinics across the Philippines, integrate more features into their mobile app, and broaden their range of services, ensuring they cater to women at every stage of life.
“Based on feedback and identified needs, we're working on expanding our menu or services to cater to specific stages of a woman's life, from adolescence to senior years that we're excited to introduce,” she shares. “Continuous improvement is crucial for us and we aim to set up dynamic feedback mechanisms, collecting feedback on our services' effectiveness and making the necessary adjustments.”
Wrapping up our conversation, we also touch on personal well-being, with Jessica defining beauty as a harmonious blend of health, strength, and compassion, “A beautiful life is about acknowledging that we are, in ourselves, complete.”
“It's not about striving for an unattainable ideal, but about appreciating who we are and celebrating our unique journeys. I believe that a woman's beauty is deeply intertwined with her well-being. That's why at Kindred, we aspire to provide tools and resources to empower every woman to define and embrace her own version of a beautiful life.”
When women's health comes up, the silence can be deafening, and getting your point across feels like an uphill battle. "It's more than just a headache", "You're not being dramatic", and truly, those monthly aches might just be hinting at more profound issues. Yet, people like Jessica and initiatives like Kindred are challenging this hushed status quo. She's making it clear: Women's health is not just a niche topic, but a central dialogue that deserves unwavering attention, empathy, dedication, and more leaders who understand exactly that.
Kindred is at 2/F Serendra Mall, 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City. Get exclusive deals on Kindred services through Parlon. For more information, visit https://parlon.ph/parlon/kindred/services.
