A Conversation with Priya Bathija the Founder of Nyoo Health
In a world where women’s health is often overlooked, the founder and CEO of Nyoo Health is on a mission to bridge the gaps in knowledge and access to healthcare for women. With a background in health law and policy, she has dedicated her career to transforming women’s health through advocacy, education, and strategic advisory services.
Starting as an attorney, she spent nearly a decade practicing health law, working at a law firm in Columbus, Ohio, and later serving as in-house counsel for two major health systems, ProMedica and MedStar Health. Seeking to expand her impact beyond legal practice, she transitioned to the American Hospital Association (AHA), where she played a crucial role in shaping healthcare policy. Her work at AHA evolved from payment policy to strategic initiatives, ultimately leading efforts in healthcare affordability, maternal health, and health equity.
Driven by a deep-seated passion for women’s health, she founded Nyoo Health to address the critical gaps in knowledge and strategy within the healthcare industry. Through her company, she provides strategic advisory services to hospitals and health systems, equipping them with the tools to improve access, outcomes, and patient experiences for women. She also educates healthcare professionals on the importance of investing in women’s health and the tangible returns it can bring.
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she remains deeply connected to her legal and policy roots, teaching Healthcare Payment and Policy and Women’s Health Law and Policy at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Her work extends into advocacy, serving as a board member for Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington, ensuring reproductive healthcare access remains a priority in today’s shifting landscape.
A Personal Journey into FemTech
Her entry into the FemTech industry was both personal and professional. Witnessing the challenges in maternal health firsthand—through her sister’s postpartum struggles and the tragic passing of her friend Arika Trim due to childbirth complications—she recognized the dire need for systemic change. As she delved deeper, she realized that women’s healthcare extended far beyond maternal and reproductive care, yet remained inadequately addressed by the system.
“The biggest obstacle I faced was believing in myself. When you’re challenging the status quo and creating something new, there’s always resistance. I had to learn to trust my instincts and rely on my experiences.”
Building Nyoo Health was not without its hurdles. Transitioning from a structured corporate environment to the often-isolating journey of a founder required resilience. Without traditional workplace validations like promotions or performance reviews, she had to develop new ways to measure progress and create a support network that fueled her mission.
Milestones and Achievements
Among her proudest accomplishments is designing and launching a Women’s Health Law and Policy course—one of the first of its kind—at two law schools. With no existing textbook on the subject, she built the curriculum from scratch, educating future legal professionals on critical issues affecting women’s health, including coverage, clinical research, access, equity, and payment.
Additionally, her role at Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington stands as a testament to her commitment to reproductive rights and healthcare access. In a time when these services face significant challenges, she takes pride in contributing to an organization that provides comprehensive care, from primary check-ups to gender-affirming treatments and reproductive health services.
Nyoo Health: Transforming Women’s Healthcare
Nyoo Health operates at the intersection of strategy, education, and advocacy. Through strategic advisory services, it helps hospitals and health systems identify and fill gaps in women’s healthcare, ensuring better access and outcomes for patients and staff alike. She also leads educational initiatives, offering workshops, speeches, and panels on best practices in women’s health, emerging investment trends, and innovative healthcare solutions.
Her recent keynote at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon is a testament to her thought leadership in the space. Sharing personal experiences and industry insights, she continues to push the conversation forward on women’s heart health, an often-overlooked area in medical research and treatment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of FemTech
With projects in the pipeline—including a podcast and a potential book—her vision extends beyond advisory services. She aims to reshape the narrative around what women need from healthcare and ensure these needs are met at systemic levels. As she refines educational offerings for hospital leaders, she remains committed to driving tangible improvements in women’s healthcare experiences.
“The FemTech movement is crucial because women make up 51% of our population but birth 100% of our future. We cannot move forward as a society without addressing women’s health—it’s that simple.”
The future of FemTech holds immense potential, with technology playing a pivotal role in reshaping healthcare. Innovations such as AI, wearables, and digital health platforms are providing new opportunities for women to understand their bodies, track their health, and access necessary care. Hospitals are also beginning to integrate comprehensive women’s health programs, expanding beyond maternal care to address mid-life health, menopause, and chronic disease prevention.
Yet, challenges persist. Political and policy shifts continue to threaten advancements in women’s health, making advocacy more critical than ever. She remains optimistic, however, citing increasing hospital research into gender-specific health issues and the growing recognition of the economic and social benefits of investing in women’s healthcare.
Advice for Aspiring FemTech Professionals
Her message to those looking to enter the FemTech industry is clear: build your community. Surrounding yourself with mentors, advisors, and peers who understand the founder journey is crucial. She emphasizes the importance of professional guidance in areas like fundraising and business development, as well as the need for personal support systems.
“Get a good therapist. The startup journey is tough, and therapy can help you build resilience, trust yourself, and navigate difficult conversations. And don’t forget your cheerleaders—those who celebrate your wins and check in on the hard days.”
Her ultimate goal? To make sure people understand what they don’t currently know about women’s health. Because once they do, she believes real change will follow.
Women’s health isn’t a niche market—it’s a necessity. And she’s leading the charge to ensure that necessity is met.
If you’re a trailblazer in women’s health or FemTech, we’d love to hear your story! Share your journey and insights with us at info@femtechindia.com. Together, let’s amplify the voices driving positive change.
