Medical Students Reimagine Postpartum Care, One Stitch at a Time

A student-led initiative blends fiber arts, crochet and conversations to support maternal health

Medical students at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School are redefining postpartum care with an innovative, community-centered approach. 

Through the Pozen Scholars Program, established in 2009 to advance the medical school’s service mission and support student-led initiatives, students leading the Hooked on Healing program are building community by creating a safe space for open dialogue on maternal health, infant development, and the realities of parenthood. Each session interweaves crochet, fiber arts and meaningful conversations in an environment for both skill-building and emotional support. 

The initiative launched in late 2024, with its first session held in October 2025. To date, two sessions have been hosted, and the students plan to meet monthly. Open to all participants and volunteers, the program primarily supports new mothers while welcoming anyone interested in joining.

Backed by research showing crochet’s positive impact on mental well-being, third-year medical students Esha Shah, Hrithika Ravuri and Monika Weglarz are demonstrating how creativity and conversation can reshape what care looks like beyond conventional medical settings. They discuss the program.

What inspired you to create Hooked on Healing and why did you choose crochet and fiber arts as the foundation for this work? 

Shah: The inspiration came from recognizing a gap in postpartum care, which focuses mainly on clinical checkpoints, but can miss the emotional isolation and exhaustion new mothers face. We chose crochet to address this because of its ability to create connection: When our hands are busy, conversation flows naturally. 

Repetitive motions are meditative and calming, and creating something tangible provides a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, crochet is accessible, affordable and sustainable beyond sessions. Participants can continue practicing at home, teach it to others or use it as an outlet. Ultimately, we realized that addressing social determinants of health doesn’t always require extensive infrastructure; sometimes it starts with yarn, a welcoming space and a willingness to listen.

How did your partnership with the Unity Family Success Center in Irvington, N.J., come about? 

Weglarz: It developed after we searched for community centers serving postpartum mothers in underserved areas with our faculty adviser, Pauline Thomas, who suggested it because it supports local families and it aligns perfectly with our goals. 

What does a typical session look like, and how do participants engage with the crafts, conversations and resources to support their overall well-being? 

Weglarz: A typical session at the Unity Family Success Center begins with a check-in and informal welcome. Students teach a crochet technique while providing hands-on guidance in a small, supportive group. As participants work on their projects, we invite discussions regarding their lives and education on postpartum recovery, infant milestones, nutrition and stress management. 

The sessions aim to feel relaxed, and we encourage questions and peer sharing. Participants leave with new crafting skills, practical health information and strengthened social connections that support their well-being.

How has this initiative shaped your perspective as a future physician, particularly maternal health and the role art plays in one's well-being? 

Shah: It has changed how we understand care. We’ve learned that effective medicine requires meeting people where they are physically, emotionally and socially. Working with our participants has shown us that health is woven into the fabric of community, identity and daily life. 

We’ve seen firsthand how creative activities can serve as powerful tools that reduce stress, build confidence and create belonging in ways clinical interventions alone cannot. As future physicians, sometimes the most impactful support we can provide is connecting patients to community resources, validating their experiences or simply creating space for them to feel heard and less alone in their journey. 

Can you share a memorable moment from a session that captures the impact of this work? 

Ravuri: One of the most powerful moments from our sessions came when we met a devoted mother of four, referred to us by an Irvington Family Success Center staff member. 

As we worked through crochet basics, we began talking about infant milestones, and she opened up about her son’s autism diagnosis and the pressure she felt to keep it to herself due to stigmas in her immigrant community. Her honesty invited us to share our own experiences navigating immigrant households, and through that exchange, she found reassurance that she wasn’t alone. 

This moment captured the essence of what Hooked on Healing set out to be: not simply a crochet class, but a space where community members can be reassured that they are not navigating parenthood alone.

What skills are participants building through this initiative, and what types of educational resources are provided to support parenting and maternal wellness? 

Ravuri: Participants build foundational crochet skills – slip knots, chain stitches and single crochets, progressing toward more involved techniques over time. Our goal is to equip participants with skills to complete small projects like a granny square or baby beanie. We hope participants develop confidence in their craft, a sense of creative accomplishment, and meaningful connections with one another. 

Alongside the craft, our educational handouts are incorporated into conversation rather than delivered formally. A group chat connecting all participants was also created to share progress and sustain peer support beyond the workshops.