Meet the Cohort | Edith Institute

We have a truly inspiring cohort for Elevate Equity, Health and Wellness Equity Edition. Take a moment to meet one of our social entrepreneurs, Alicia Suguitan, founder of The Edith Institute. Then follow us on Social Media or sign up for our newsletter. We will profile a new founder each week.

Flywheel: How do you describe your venture?

Alicia: Edith Institute is dedicated to the memory of a cherished mother and committed to the care of all mothers, with a special emphasis on uplifting mothers of color. Our mission is to address implicit bias in maternal healthcare through education and training for healthcare providers and support staff

Flywheel: What inspired you to start your venture?

Alicia: In 2018, I underwent a challenging pregnancy and birth. My child is healthy and happy today, but the journey to bringing him here deeply moved me, inspiring my commitment to enhancing the pregnancy and birth experiences of other mothers. As a White-passing, multiracial woman, I am particularly driven by the disproportionate burden of high-risk pregnancy and birth experiences borne by mothers of color. At Edith Institute, our exclusive focus is on enhancing healthcare provider education, understanding its pivotal role in improving maternal health outcomes.

Flywheel: If you are wildly successful, how will our community be a better place?

Alicia: More mothers would survive their pregnancies to watch their children grow. Mothers would thrive through their pregnancies and enter motherhood healthy.

Flywheel: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?

Alicia: I wanted to be both a nurse and veterinarian at different times. Nurturing and caring for both people and animals was always something I loved to do as a child. After spending time in higher education, it is fitting that I am merging my passion for developing great curriculum with medicine.

Flywheel: What’s a good piece of advice you got from a former boss or mentor?

Alicia: I'll never forget when a mentor asked me about my "fail tolerance." It was early in my career, and I was petrified of making mistakes. That moment was a game-changer. Instead of waiting until I had everything perfect—a flawless presentation, report, or even email—I embraced the idea of innovation and learning from missteps. It shifted my perspective entirely.

Flywheel: Favorite Cincinnati Food?

Alicia: Cincinnati Chili Ramen from Café Mochik

Flywheel: What is your super power?

Alicia: Listening and making someone feel uniquely valuable, just the way they are.