Partnership will Bolster Wider Circle’s Ability to Provide Longitudinal Care
Redwood City, CA (May 19, 2026) Wider Circle, a company focused on building communities to improve health and quality of life through trusted connections, today announced the acquisition of Menda Health. The acquisition brings together two organizations that have built their care models around the same conviction: that group connection is one of the most powerful tools available in senior healthcare.
Menda Health was founded to expand access to high-quality virtual care for adults living with chronic pain. The company developed a group-based behavioral care model combining structured group sessions with evidence-based behavioral approaches, with transformative results for seniors. Menda’s approach supports an often overlooked population regain function, hope, and quality of life.
That group-based approach is precisely what drew Wider Circle to Menda — whose proven community health model is built around the power of group connection: peer programs and community engagement that reduce isolation and improve outcomes for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and dual-eligible members. The two organizations share a fundamental belief that chronic illness is best addressed through sustained connection rather than episodic individual care.
“From the beginning, Menda’s mission has been to help people suffering from chronic pain feel supported and capable of getting their lives back,” said Kartik Shastri, CEO of Menda Health. “Wider Circle shares that commitment — their community-driven model and proven ability to reach seniors in need, who are often the hardest to serve, make them the ideal partner to bring Menda’s approach to the people who need it most.”
“At Wider Circle, we’ve always believed that community is essential to better health, especially for older adults,” said Darin Buxbaum, CEO of Wider Circle. “In talking to Kartik, what impressed us about Menda was how they helped seniors living with chronic pain regain hope through a unique approach delivered in groups. That combination of care and connection can transform a member’s life, and we’re excited to bring it to Wider Circle.”
About Wider Circle
Wider Circle builds communities to improve health and quality of life through trusted connections. Its peer-driven model recruits local community members to lead health engagement programs, supported by advanced data science and technology. Wider Circle’s approach has been actuarially validated and shown to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and increase member retention for Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans across the country.
About Menda Health
Menda Health was founded by Dr. Les Aria, Arun Nijhawan, and Kartik Shastri to expand access to high-quality virtual care for older adults living with chronic pain. Through a group-based behavioral care model, Menda helped thousands of adults reduce pain, regain function and transform their quality of life.
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About the author: Jamie Zale
Wider Circle
