Draft:Surbhi Sarna

• Comment: Written like an ad, not very well sourced, and the sources that exist aren't formatted correctly. I dream of horses (Hoofprints) (Neigh at me) 03:57, 23 November 2024 (UTC)

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Surbhi Sarna (born 1988) is an Indian-American entrepreneur, inventor, and advocate for women's health. She is the founder of nVision Medical, a pioneering company focused on developing technology to improve early detection of ovarian cancer. Sarna's journey from a young girl battling a health scare to a Y Combinator-backed entrepreneur exemplifies resilience and innovation. Her contributions have significantly impacted women's healthcare, a field often underfunded and overlooked [1].

Early Life and Education

Surbhi Sarna grew up in Fremont, California, in a family that valued education and hard work. Her trajectory toward innovation was profoundly influenced by a personal health crisis at the age of 13 when she experienced a debilitating ovarian cyst rupture. This incident led her to witness firsthand the limitations of diagnosing and treating gynecological conditions. Determined to address this gap, Sarna pursued a degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley [2]. Her undergraduate studies were complemented by internships and early professional experiences at Abbott Laboratories, where she gained insights into the intersection of healthcare and innovation. This foundational exposure inspired her to bridge the gap between medicine and engineering, particularly for women's health.

Founding nVision Medical

In 2009, Sarna founded nVision Medical with the mission of improving early detection of ovarian cancer and other gynecological conditions. At the time, the survival rate for ovarian cancer was notoriously low due to late diagnoses. Sarna's solution involved a minimally invasive device capable of collecting cell samples from the fallopian tubes, where many ovarian cancers originate [3]. Launching nVision Medical was not without challenges. Sarna faced skepticism from investors, many of whom doubted the potential marketability of her innovation. However, her persistence paid off when nVision became one of the first female-led companies to secure funding from Y Combinator, a renowned start-up accelerator. The technology received FDA approval in 2015, solidifying its clinical relevance and paving the way for wider adoption [1].

Impact and Legacy

In 2018, Sarna's vision and dedication culminated in the acquisition of nVision Medical by Boston Scientific for $275 million. This milestone underscored the value of addressing unmet medical needs in women's health. The device continues to be a critical tool in the early detection of gynecological cancers, helping save lives by enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses [4]. Sarna's work has inspired a new wave of entrepreneurs to pursue innovations in healthcare, particularly in areas often marginalized in medical research. Today, she serves as a mentor and advisor to startups focused on healthcare while advocating for more inclusive funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs.

Recognition

Surbhi Sarna has been recognized by leading publications, including Forbes, which named her to its "30 Under 30" list in healthcare [3]. Her journey is also featured in Y Combinator's case studies on successful women entrepreneurs. Beyond her accolades, Sarna's work has had a transformative effect on society, advancing gender equity in healthcare innovation and improving health outcomes for countless women [4].

References

1. ^Chen, A. (2018). Boston Scientific buys nVision for $275 million to fight ovarian cancer. TechCrunch. 2. ^Clifford, C. (2018). How Surbhi Sarna turned a personal health scare into a $275 million business. CNBC. 3. ^Forbes Staff. (2014). 30 Under 30: Healthcare. Forbes 4. ^“Surbhi Sarna: YC Partner.” Y Combinator, www.ycombinator.com/people/surbhi-sarna. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.