Doctor Sophia Bampoh felt inspired to pursue a career in vascular medicine because she discovered a deep personal interest in the cardiovascular system. This interest was founded on the realization that she could make a palpable impact on the lives of patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vast number of individuals in the United States are affected by cardiovascular diseases in their lifetimes, and these diseases can have morbid consequences and cause overall health crises. Every 33 seconds, someone in the US dies from cardiovascular disease. Sophia has been able to observe the profound impact that vascular conditions have on an individual’s quality of life and, therefore, has found herself driven to specialize in the field.
Sophia is very interested in the monumental potential that artificial intelligence holds to shape the future of medicine in the cardiovascular field. AI advancements can contribute to improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment strategies, and progressing patient outcomes.
“From assisting in the interpretation of imaging studies to aiding in risk stratification and treatment planning, AI algorithms can provide valuable insights that augment clinical decision-making,” Sophia says. “Looking ahead, I anticipate AI technologies playing an increasingly pivotal role in personalized medicine approaches, tailoring treatments to individual patients’ vascular profiles, and facilitating the development of predictive models for vascular disease progression and response to therapy.”
Currently, Sophia works with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, providing patient-centered care to individuals with a range of vascular diseases. This work encompasses diagnosing and treating conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and aneurysmal disease. In addition to her clinical efforts, she puts substantial time into the research side of her field, progressing in the knowledge of vascular pathophysiology as well as the development of new and improved forms of treatment.
Striving to shape the medical care landscape in a positive way, Sophia is focusing on the ongoing amputation crisis across the US. Amputation can cause extreme negative psychological impacts on a person, such as major depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Many patients are at excessive risk of facing limb loss as a result of diabetes-related PAD. In rural areas where access to proper care is few and far between, this risk grows even greater. Sophia is interested in using AI tools to improve the effectiveness of PAD diagnostics and treatment in order to lower the number of PAD-related amputations.
The dangers of poor vascular health are all too real, but there are things that can be done to minimize these risks. Business owners, for example, should prioritize encouraging vascular health among their employees.
“Implementing initiatives such as ergonomic evaluations, promoting regular physical activity, and providing education on the importance of vascular health can help reduce the risk of vascular-related issues such as deep vein thrombosis and peripheral artery disease (PAD),” Sophia shared.
Providing resources for employees who can commit to eating better, working out more, and quitting smoking can encourage them to take care of their vascular health and foster a healthier and more productive workplace. Being in such an environment allows for a sense of community that will help to create overall positivity.
It is deeply important to Sophia to be involved in improving vascular medicine outcomes for patients all across America. She has chosen to invest in preventative medicine from a cardiovascular standpoint, exploring groundbreaking new ways to progress the field. From comprehensive patient care to extensive medical research to work within underserved communities, Sophia is actively committed to saving lives and improving the outcomes of those who recover from cardiovascular diseases.
