Meet Dr. Lillianne “dr. Lilli” Debnam and Dr. Charnetta Williams | Pediatrician, Physician Leader, and Co-Founder of The Mom Spa

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lillianne “dr. Lilli” Debnam and Dr. Charnetta Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lillianne and Dr. Charnetta, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The Mom Spa was born out of our shared passion for community and caring for women and babies. My Mom Spa co-founder, Dr. Netta, is an OB/GYN and I, Dr. Lilli, am a pediatrician. Through years of working in healthcare, we witnessed firsthand how so much attention is placed on the baby while the mother often becomes an afterthought. Postpartum women are expected to prioritize their baby and growing family’s needs while they often end up neglecting their own physical health and emotional wellness. Too many women don’t get the village of support that they need and deserve across the joyful yet challenging time of the postpartum period.

We started The Mom Spa postnatal retreat because we want to change that – we want to be a part of the village dedicated to supporting new moms, whether its first baby or 10th baby. When mothers are cared for and supported, they’re better equipped to care for their families. A Happy and Healthy Mommy leads to a Happy and Healthy Baby and a Happy and Healthy Family. By creating a physical and virtual space dedicated to maternal wellness, we hope to help women prioritize themselves in those critical early weeks after childbirth. Beyond this, we’re also passionate about addressing the staggering rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in communities of color. By helping mothers feel seen, supported, and restored, we aim to make a unique and meaningful contribution, even if small, to reducing these alarming statistics.

On a personal level, starting our own business also allows us to optimize our own wellness. Healthcare is a deeply rewarding but demanding field, and we see this venture as an opportunity to continue serving women and babies while building a business model that allows us to balance our own needs and aspirations. The Mom Spa represents our commitment to creating a better postpartum experience, one that centers the mother and fosters wellness for both families and communities.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Founded by two female physicians, The Mom Spa is redefining postpartum care with the vision of ensuring that every mother, infant, and family receive exceptional attention from a team deeply rooted in health and wellness. Our mission is to ensure that every mother feels rejuvenated, supported, and empowered during her stay and beyond.

Our careers in medicine required years of dedication to our education and training, a deep-seated commitment to serving patients and communities, and countless sacrifices. Clinical medicine can be especially demanding and at times overwhelming, but, for both myself and Dr. Netta, persistence and resilience have served as guiding principles. Similarly, venturing into the world of entrepreneurship can also be challenging and unpredictable. While we have both immersed ourselves in various clinical and public health initiatives across our careers, neither of us had started our own business before, especially a non-medical business. In both medicine and entrepreneurship, every challenge we experienced reaffirms our passion for maternal and child health and reminds us that persistence and resilience are key. Too often, people give up when they’re just one step away from reaching their goal. We are incredibly grateful for the experiences and people that keep up focused, compassionate, and uplifted. Our greatest lesson is truly the value of a village.

Hence, our business is more than just a venture-it’s a movement to change how women experience the 4th trimester. The Mom Spa stems from our genuine concern for mothers (and babies too) and a deep desire to create meaningful change. We are most proud and very excited about the opportunity to serve as a village for women in the Greater Atlanta area, providing a transformative experience that prioritizes their wellness and helps them feel supported and empowered during this critical time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend were visiting us in Atlanta for several days, we’d make sure to take them on a well-rounded adventure filled with culture, great food, fun and relaxation. We’d start with a visit to the Atlanta BeltLine for a stroll, where they can enjoy art installations, walk or bike along the trails, and get a taste of local street art.

For food, Atlanta’s culinary scene is vibrant! We’d definitely make a stop at Ponce City Market for some delicious bites from local vendors, followed by a visit to a favorite spot like Busy Bee Cafe for a taste of Southern comfort food or Canoe for a relaxing dinner by the Chattahoochee River. We’d also take them to one of Atlanta’s many incredible farmers markets for some local produce and a feel for the city’s commitment to fresh, sustainable food.

For relaxation and wellness, we’d spend some time at a luxury spa or wellness center-perhaps The Mom Spa for an experience of ultimate self-care. Whether it’s a massage, a mani-pedi, or simply a quiet retreat, it’s important to take a break and reset in a city that’s always buzzing.

Of course, we’d also plan to make time for visits to the High Museum of Art, The King Center and birth home of Martin Luther King, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, the World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta History Center, and a night at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for some culture, history, and inspiration. Additional must-dos: A visit to my alma mater, Spelman College, a game of bowling at the Painted Duck and we definitely have to catch one of our home team games – be it Atlanta United or the Falcons in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or the Braves at Truist Park and the Battery. Atlanta’s diverse mix of modern art, historical sites, sports, and Southern charm means we will definitely have fun and that there’s something for everyone.

ATL, my hometown, is a city that blends culture, food, fun, and relaxation seamlessly, and we’d make sure our friend got a full experience of everything it has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We’d like to dedicate this article to the incredible women who have shaped, supported, and inspired us-our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, and the countless women who have poured into us throughout our lives. They are the foundation of everything we do, embodying strength, resilience, and grace in ways that leave an indelible mark.

We also dedicate this to the women we have yet to serve-new and new-again mothers who are navigating one of the most beautiful yet challenging transitions of their lives. Our mission is to honor their journeys, lift their burdens, and remind them that their wellness matters, too. These women are the cornerstones of their families and, by extension, our communities.

This is for all the women who have ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, or forgotten during the postpartum period as well as to those women who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or child. We see you, we honor you, and we are building this space of wellness for you. You are our inspiration, and it’s our greatest privilege to serve you in the years to come.

Website: https://www.TheMomSpa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themomspaatl

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