Women's Healthcare Innovation · Dr. Belle Heppard
Malama®
“A more dignified approach to women’s medical care.”
Malama® is the first patented women’s examination gown in the United States, thoughtfully designed to improve comfort, modesty, warmth, and ease during medical care. Created from direct clinical insight, it offers a more respectful experience for patients while supporting practical medical examination and treatment needs.
Malama® Examination Gown · Patented Design
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Mission Statement
Rooted in compassion, innovation, and respect — affirming that medical care should not require the surrender of dignity.
Malama® exists to restore dignity, comfort, modesty, and thoughtful function to the medical examination experience for women. Created in response to a longstanding need within women’s healthcare, Malama® seeks to elevate the standard of care by offering a garment that honors the patient as a whole person while also supporting clinical practicality and efficiency.
Its mission is rooted in compassion, innovation, and respect — affirming that medical care should not require the surrender of comfort, warmth, confidence, or personal dignity.
“Women deserve care that preserves dignity as well as health. This belief is not a detail — it is the foundation from which Malama® was born.”
– Dr. Belle Heppard, M.D.
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About Malama®
Malama® is the first patented women’s examination gown in the United States, created to improve the experience of medical care through a more respectful and patient-centered design. It was developed to provide greater modesty, warmth, comfort, and ease of use while also supporting medical access and efficiency during examination and treatment.
More than a garment — a shift in how women’s care may be approached: with greater dignity, greater sensitivity, and greater regard for both emotional comfort and practical function.
More than a garment, Malama® represents a shift in how women’s care may be approached — with greater dignity, greater sensitivity, and greater regard for both emotional comfort and practical function. It is an invention born of direct clinical understanding and a desire to improve women’s healthcare in a meaningful and enduring way.
The Malama® Gown Design
The Malama® Dutch Gown –
They are created from soft thick fabric patterned in never before seen beautiful patterns by Malama’s designer (a lady doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology who also makes award-winning fine art) and styled in the comfort of a kimono with front closures and relaxed sleeves, the bodice and skirt closing separately allowing a more tailored feminine fit for all.
A short seam secures the gown’s left and right back panels together at the neckline. Below this juncture, the neatly finished edges expose the back to one’s lower sacrum. A velcro waist closure allows the continuation of patient modesty.
Walking down a hallway for a procedure does not cause embarrassment as the Malama’s thicker fabric provides appropriate patient modesty.
An ingenious design cinches the Malama as indispensable for the patient and provider. A section of this gown covering an area of concern can be discreetly opened while the remaining gown is left in place, securely covering your patient.
Imaging studies are easy to perform. The few plastic snaps are all 3/4 of an inch in diameter, allowing wearers with limited dexterity to dress and undress independently.
Malama®
Dignity by Design
Every element of Malama® was designed with the patient’s dignity at the center — from fit and coverage to ease of movement and modesty during examination.
Clinical Intelligence
Created from direct clinical insight, Malama® supports the practical needs of medical examination while never compromising patient comfort or self-respect.
Compassionate Innovation
The first patented women’s examination gown in the United States — a landmark in patient-centered healthcare design driven by empathy and purpose.
Those We Serve
Who Malama® Serves
Malama® is intended for women’s healthcare settings, medical institutions, providers, and advocates who value innovation, dignity, and improved patient experience — recognizing that compassionate care begins with every detail of how a patient feels, is seen, and is respected.
Healthcare Providers
Medical Institutions
Women's Care Advocates
Patient-Centered Practices
WELCOME
Welcome to
Malama®
Malama® was created to bring greater dignity, comfort, and thoughtful design to women’s medical care. As the first patented women’s examination gown in the United States, it reflects a compassionate and practical innovation intended to improve the patient experience in meaningful ways.