UTI Testing & Antibiotic Overuse

Dr. Mara Holton and Kathleen Mackey first met in 2007 while practicing general urology with a large local urology group.  At the time, Dr. Holton had just recently completed her urologic residency at the University of Maryland, and Kathleen had been in practice with the group as a CRNP for just over a year.  

Although both practiced general urology, over the years, the majority of their patient population became women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, uncomfortable vaginal symptoms, and difficulty with sexual activity.  They quickly found a common theme that many women had experienced these symptoms for years prior to identifying a provider who could address their concerns.  Unfortunately, many patients recounted that, when they did seek help, they were often undertreated, misdiagnosed, or led to believe their symptoms were just something that had to be tolerated. Many women described scenarios of being brushed off by male providers or told that their symptoms were a normal part of aging. As active women and mothers themselves, Mara & Kathleen empathized with the burden these conditions caused and the associated negative impacts on the quality and enjoyment of life.  In developing Snippa, a female-focused health care platform,  Mara and Kathleen seek to broaden and expand their reach and efforts in order to educate patients about pelvic health and to advocate for access to care, research into , and the development of treatment alternatives for these prevalent health conditions.

Dr. Mara Holton and Kathleen Mackey first met in 2007 while practicing general urology with a large local urology group.  At the time, Dr. Holton had just recently completed her urologic residency at the University of Maryland, and Kathleen had been in practice with the group as a CRNP for just over a year.  

Although both practiced general urology, over the years, the majority of their patient population became women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, uncomfortable vaginal symptoms, and difficulty with sexual activity.  They quickly found a common theme that many women had experienced these symptoms for years prior to identifying a provider who could address their concerns.  Unfortunately, many patients recounted that, when they did seek help, they were often undertreated, misdiagnosed, or led to believe their symptoms were just something that had to be tolerated. Many women described scenarios of being brushed off by male providers or told that their symptoms were a normal part of aging. As active women and mothers themselves, Mara & Kathleen empathized with the burden these conditions caused and the associated negative impacts on the quality and enjoyment of life.  In developing Snippa, a female-focused health care platform,  Mara and Kathleen seek to broaden and expand their reach and efforts in order to educate patients about pelvic health and to advocate for access to care, research into , and the development of treatment alternatives for these prevalent health conditions.