Systemic Track Record

Providence Swedish — JUST Birth Network: 2022 - current

Deriving from the Black Birth Empowerment Initiative, Sauleiha Akangbe built and operationalized JUST Birth, a hospital-integrated network uniting doula talent across Washington state. Developed cross-cultural respectful care education for hospital staff, directed three high-turnout Black Maternal Health Week institutional conferences, and established the hospital navigation framework. This model is currently sustained through Medicaid. 

Providence Swedish Postpartum Doula Program: 2019 - current

Designed, launched, and sustained the postpartum doula program, providing continuous, uninterrupted operational support within the hospital infrastructure and at-home support. 

Black Birth Empowerment Initiative (BBEI): 2020 - 2022 

Created and directed community-centered, culturally-affirming doula work that followed the "For us by us" model, while demonstrating to the overall birth-community Swedish's dedication to operate alongside and for the communities that utilized the facilities.

Governance, Restructuring & Clinical Training: Ongoing

Guided the equity-centered dissolution and transition of PALS Doulas in Washington State, implemented health equity training curricula for DONA-approved doula training cohorts at Bastyr University, and advised emerging digital health platforms including eDoula on doula integration.