SAN FRANCISCO– Modern Health, a leading global workplace mental health platform, today announces the appointment of Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH, as Clinical Advisor and Board member of Modern Health’s Professional Corporation entities, and Reena Pande, MD MSc, as Clinical Advisor. Both Dr. Pande and Dr. Meltzer-Brody bring deep healthcare expertise and experience to Modern Health. Dr. Pande is a physician, entrepreneur, and experienced healthcare executive, and Dr. Meltzer-Brody is the Assad Meymandi Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Both will be offering their expertise to Modern Health as the company continues to expand its partnerships with employers, health plans, and other organizations.
“We are incredibly honored to welcome esteemed clinical advisors like Dr. Pande and Dr. Meltzer-Brody to our team. Their unparalleled expertise and dedication are invaluable as we continue to double down on delivering a member experience that drives the best clinical outcomes in the most engaging and effective way,” comments Alyson Watson, Founder and CEO of Modern Health. “With their guidance, we are poised to unlock new possibilities and reach even greater heights in our vision to make mental health a strength and priority for all.”
Dr. Pande previously served as Chief Medical Officer at behavioral healthcare company AbleTo for nearly a decade, taking it through its eventual acquisition by Optum/UnitedHealth Group. Dr. Pande brings a wealth of leadership experience in data science, healthcare economics, clinical product development, and outcomes research. Prior to her time at AbleTo, Dr. Pande was an academic cardiologist and clinical researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, and also served as an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Harvard University, her M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and a Masters degree in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.
“Given the growing prevalence of mental health needs in the US, it’s clear that we need more innovative and flexible models of care that drive outcomes for both clinical and sub-clinical needs,” comments Dr. Reena Pande, Clinical Advisor at Modern Health. “Modern Health is ahead of this curve and is building a deeply engaging and impactful solution. I am thrilled to be working alongside the team when the need for rapid and scalable access to mental health care has never been greater.”
In addition to being the Assad Meymandi Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Meltzer-Brody also directs the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. As Chair, Dr. Meltzer-Brody directs one of the largest public university departments of psychiatry in the United States and collaborates with UNC Health and the state of North Carolina on broad-based initiatives to improve mental health. She has also served in leadership roles in physician and health care workers’ mental health and well-being in the School of Medicine and UNC Health. Dr. Meltzer-Brody is an internationally recognized physician-scientist in perinatal depression and has led the MOMS GENES study—the largest global genetic study of postpartum depression (PPD) using app-based tools. She also served as the academic PI for the novel psychopharmacologic clinical trials developing the first FDA-approved medication for postpartum depression (brexanolone) and also served as an investigator for the newly approved oral drug (zuranolone) for PPD.
“I am a passionate advocate for innovation and transformation of mental health care. I have been impressed with how Modern Health is redefining global workplace well-being,” comments Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Clinical Advisor at Modern Health. “Its commitment to providing innovative and clinically robust modalities of care that are personalized to the needs and preferences of individuals across the globe is truly commendable. I look forward to joining the team to further enhance accessibility and equity in mental health solutions, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they deserve.”
