Halvard RamstadInteresting fact: winner of the prestigious “His Majesty The King of Norway’s Gold Medal”.
TL;DR
Introducing our co-founder and CMO at Livv Health, Ishita Barua. Ishita holds an MD and PhD from the University of Oslo, she was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Medical School, and recently published the book “Artificial Intelligence Saves Lives”.
What did you do before Livv?
I grew up in Oslo and attended medical school at the University of Oslo. After graduating, I completed my internship at Akershus University Hospital, where I discovered my passion for non-invasive surgical procedures like colonoscopies.
This led me to specialize in gastroenterology at Bærum Hospital, focusing on colorectal cancer screenings. My gaming skills, especially with joystick maneuvering, proved surprisingly useful.
How did you become interested in applying AI to healthcare?
For me it was when I realized the critical nature of accurately identifying polyps to prevent future cancer. This motivated me to research AI in colorectal cancer screenings, spending time at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
In 2022, I completed my dissertation and joined Deloitte as Lead AI in Healthcare to gain experience outside the clinical setting.
It was during this time, I connected with Sverre on LinkedIn, whose vision for healthcare aligned well with mine. And the rest is history.
Later on in 2023, I published the book "Artificial Intelligence Saves Lives," focusing on AI's potential to transform healthcare by streamlining processes, increasing efficiency, and improving patient outcomes.
Why do you believe in Livv Health and what is the problem we are solving?
I believe in Livv Health because we're tackling a fundamental issue in patient care: the lack of easy access to one's own health data.
This deficiency can lead to poorer health decisions and reduced health competency. One of the most concerning consequences is the potential for algorithmic discrimination in healthcare, which I have personally experienced.
Two years ago, I joined AI experts visiting hospitals and startups that had integrated AI into healthcare. One startup demonstrated an AI tool for screening age-related eye diseases with over 90% accuracy. I volunteered for the screening, which incorrectly diagnosed me with glaucoma. The staff, not being healthcare professionals, couldn't answer my questions and disclosed my diagnosis publicly without consent.
Back home, an ophthalmologist confirmed I didn't have glaucoma but a rare, benign condition called myelinated retinal nerve fibers, which less than 1% of the global population has. This likely caused the AI's misdiagnosis. I wanted to donate my retinal images to improve the AI, but due to size and privacy issues, I could only take a phone snapshot, which wasn't suitable for training. This personal experience highlighted the importance of data ownership for ensuring diverse and representative datasets. As AI usage in healthcare increases, securing diversity in datasets will be crucial.
Where do you spend most of your time outside the office?
I am married to my best friend, Philip, and together we enjoy swimming, hiking in the forest, and spending time in the mountains.
Those who know me also know that I take a sauna daily — it’s my essential me-time.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with one person, it would be Madame Curie. When I was growing up, I read her biography and was profoundly inspired by her relentless dedication to science. Her groundbreaking work in the field of radioactivity and her incredible perseverance in the face of numerous challenges are truly inspiring.
I would love to discuss her scientific discoveries, the obstacles she overcame as a female scientist in her time, and her thoughts on the future of science. It would be fascinating to hear her thoughts on AI and its potential scientific advancements too!
Lastly, what do you envision the Norwegian healthcare system will look like in the future?
I believe the future of healthcare can be summed up in three words: personalized, patient-centric, and AI-powered. Personalized care tailors treatments to individual needs, patient-centric care prioritizes patient preferences, and AI technology enhances diagnostics and treatment. Together, these elements will transform healthcare, improving outcomes and quality of care for all.
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