Who We Are

We are a collective of passionate individuals united by a shared commitment to supporting young adults with chronic health conditions. Driven by personal experiences and a deep sense of purpose, we come from diverse backgrounds but are connected by the belief that every young adult deserves the chance to live fully, regardless of their health challenges.

Our Story

Invisible Wave began with a simple truth: America isn’t ready to support the millions of young adults with chronic health conditions.

Invisible Wave was born in Maryland and Washington D.C. to bring these invisible young adults into the light. We unite people and entities to build a community that cares, advocates for and demands change. We fight for the recognition, rights, and future of every young adult facing chronic health challenges. Invisible Wave is based on a foundation of research and analysis over two decades by the voluntary think tank Physician-Parent Caregivers.

Our Impact

PPC has organized national policy roundtables and working groups, presented at numerous conferences, and authored a white paper along with medical articles and briefs. We have hosted benefits, summits, events, and various group meetings, and were honored with the Inaugural Anthem Award as Health Leader for Invisible Wave.

Additionally, PPC has offered internships and practicums at prestigious institutions like The Milken School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, and American University.

Our collaborative efforts include working with champions in the Maryland legislature and Congress to drive groundbreaking policy changes:

Maryland Senator Brian Feldman and Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk sponsored Higher Education legislation that led to a landmark Joint Commission Report with 17 recommendations to include and support students with chronic conditions.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin co-sponsored a joint
Congressional resolution on young adults with chronic health conditions.

Sen. Van Hollen requested CDC to evaluate young adults’ risk of COVID and prioritize them for vaccines. He secured Congressional legislation directing the CDC to report federal research on children, adolescents & young adults with chronic conditions.

Meet the Leaders Behind the Wave

Our Champions

US Senator Chris Van Hollen

US Representative Jamie Raskin

MD Senator Brian Feldman

Judy Woodruff

Meet Our Invisible Ambassadors

Invisible Wave is proud to introduce our ambassadors of change who are bravely stepping forward to share their lived experiences to help the world understand what young adults go through and how they feel. They are promoting social health by creating a safe space for all young adults with chronic conditions to share, learn, connect and bond.

Natasha Bhagat

Amber Chaney

Dr. Adaobi Ugochukwu

Trisha Pilgrim

The Wave also relies on Invisible Agents, individuals who acts as agents of change from across the country. If you are interested in joining our movement as an ambassador or an agent of change, please fill out this interest form!

Our Board

Dr. Santi KM Bhagat

On the first day of her medical fellowship, Dr. Bhagat’s 8-year-old daughter was rushed to the emergency room, where they induced a medical coma to stop her first seizure. In that moment, Dr. Bhagat crossed the threshold from being a physician to a frightened mother desperate to protect and save her child. This experience moved her to create Physician-Parent Caregivers (PPC), a non-profit to protect young people with chronic health conditions and their families.

Santi has since founded the Anthem Award-winning Invisible Wave, bringing her unique blend of medical and health policy expertise, along with deep empathy and understanding born of personal experience, to her role as host of The Invisible Wave Podcast.

Founder & Podcast Host