Dr. Nishtha Sareen’s journey into cardiology was rooted in an early and profound experience—at just eight years old, she knew her heart was devoted to healing others. The daughter of two highly compassionate professionals, Dr. Devendra Sareen, a compassionate pediatrician, and her mother, Mrs. Madhu Sareen, a committed social worker—Dr. Sareen was exposed to underserved communities and the silent struggles they endured. Particularly troubling was the lack of advocacy for women’s heart health, an area long overshadowed by general assumptions and male-centric medical narratives. From volunteering at rural health camps as a child to noticing the disproportionately high rate of undiagnosed conditions like “heart attack with open arteries” and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) among women, her commitment only deepened.
Despite heart disease being the number one killer of women—surpassing all cancers combined—conversations in cardiology remained strikingly male-oriented. At conferences, the excitement revolved around technologies that improved survival by a mere few percentage points, while women’s specific conditions were largely ignored. It was these gaps, coupled with staggering statistics—like 75% of women with POTS being misdiagnosed with mental health issues—that fueled Dr. Sareen’s resolve. She pledged her career to shifting the paradigm, ensuring women’s cardiovascular health was no longer an afterthought but a core focus.
Educational Path and Mentorship
Dr. Sareen’s professional rise is a testament to the power of mentorship, academic perseverance, and a clearly defined mission. Her impressive credentials include board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, Echocardiography, Endovascular Interventions, and Coronary CTA. To deepen her understanding of systemic issues in healthcare, she pursued a Master’s in Public Health followed by a specialization in Health Care Economics from Harvard Medical School.
Guided by a constellation of mentors including Dr. John Cotant, Dr. Shukri David, and Dr. Alan Multz among others, and supported unfailingly by her husband Abhishek Ojha, Dr. Sareen steadily ascended to her current role as Director of the Women’s Heart Program and Medical Director at Ascension. Appointed first in Michigan and later transferring the model to Tennessee, she quickly expanded operations by establishing three locations in just three months. Her initiative identified 13 healthcare champions who worked collaboratively to advocate for and deliver comprehensive women-centric cardiovascular care. This was made possible through the unwavering support of forward-thinking leaders such as Fahad Tahir, Dr. Brian Wilcox, and Dr. Evelio Rodriguez.
Understanding Gendered Misconceptions in Heart Care
One of the foundational challenges Dr. Sareen confronts is the pervasive misconception that “women are just men with extra hormones.” This flawed assumption undermines the stark differences in how cardiovascular conditions present, progress, and respond to treatment in women. “The reality is that women are fundamentally different—not just physically, but also emotionally, biochemically, and socially. For instance, a woman with diabetes has significantly higher complications than a man with the same diagnosis. Likewise, women may react differently to cardiac procedures and medications, yet existing treatments are still predominantly tested on men.” she says.
This knowledge gap has profound consequences. From delayed diagnoses to inappropriate treatments, countless women suffer simply because the research and data do not reflect their realities. Dr. Sareen stresses the urgent need to test therapies on female populations, tailor diagnostics specifically for women, and challenge long-standing gender biases in medicine.
Values That Drive Transformational Leadership
At the heart of Dr. Sareen’s leadership lies a steadfast value: “Service before self is what I believe my approach to healthcare is grounded in listening first—to patients, to communities, and to institutional needs. For me effective leadership means setting aside personal narratives to prioritize those of the people I serve.” By understanding what communities lack and methodically working to fill those gaps, she shapes policy and patient care from a place of empathy, not ego.
Her leadership is also marked by the influence of her parents, who exemplified balance, teamwork, and a relentless commitment to purpose. This has translated into her own career, where she seamlessly integrates compassion with strategy, always guided by a mission larger than herself.
Innovation as a Tool for Equity
To enhance cardiovascular care for women, Dr. Sareen harnesses technology and innovation not just as tools of convenience, but as instruments of equity. Women, she notes, respond exceedingly well to lifestyle modifications and non-invasive interventions—yet accessibility remains a barrier. Through telemedicine, she has extended specialist care to underserved areas, ensuring women are not left behind due to geographical or financial constraints.
But innovation, as she defines it, goes beyond gadgets and apps. It lies in programmatic development that reflects the cultural, demographic, and social realities of the community. For Dr. Sareen, true innovation is dynamic—constantly evolving, consistently challenging itself to be better, and rooted in inclusivity.
Addressing the Core Challenge: Prevention
Despite advancements in medical interventions, Dr. Sareen believes the most pressing challenge in cardiology today is prevention. “While procedures like stenting offer immediate relief, they do not address root causes. The real battle lies in preventing heart disease from occurring in the first place.” she says.
She advocates for tackling systemic issues such as childhood obesity, food deserts, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns that set the stage for chronic conditions. These efforts require collaboration across sectors—between physicians, policymakers, educators, and the communities they serve. Unfortunately, she observes that the healthcare industry often struggles to unite around prevention due to systemic silos and competing interests. Still, she remains committed to bridging these gaps.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Research
To reduce the gender gap in cardiovascular treatment and research, Dr. Sareen calls on the medical industry to champion female inclusion across the board. This includes increased female participation in clinical trials, support for female researchers, and transparent reporting of gender-specific outcomes. Additionally, she urges greater funding for awareness campaigns, professional training, and community programs that highlight women-specific risk factors.
In this endeavor, institutions like Ascension have become critical allies. Their longstanding commitment to serving the underserved has made them uniquely positioned to implement gender-sensitive healthcare models like the Women’s Heart Program. From Michigan to Tennessee, Ascension has demonstrated that when an institution prioritizes quality, equity, and innovation, transformative change is possible.
Institutional Support and Sustainable Impact
The Women’s Heart Centers pioneered by Dr. Sareen operate on a model of evidence-based preventive care, with every woman receiving high-quality, patient-centric attention. These centers are not just clinics; they are community pillars committed to education, early intervention, and holistic wellness.
“What sets Ascension apart is its willingness to innovate and evolve continuously. By aligning with my vision, the institution has shown how healthcare systems can adapt to meet the unique needs of women while optimizing resource use. The model’s success lies in its simplicity and reproducibility—traits that make it scalable for broader national or even global implementation.” says Dr. Sareen.
Work-Life Integration Through Shared Purpose
Balancing a demanding career with personal life is no easy task, but Dr. Sareen attributes her success to a culture of shared responsibility at home. “Inspired by my parents’ equal partnership, I and my husband Abhishek have built a home centered on intentional presence. We prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that their time with their daughter Neysa is meaningful, even amidst busy schedules.”
By maintaining boundaries—keeping “work at work”—and functioning as a team, they create a sustainable, nurturing environment. Dr. Sareen emphasizes that the harmony between professional ambition and personal fulfillment lies in mutual respect, communication, and shared values.
Looking Ahead: A Global Vision for Women’s Heart Health
Dr. Sareen’s vision transcends geography. The Women’s Heart Program she developed is designed to be cost-effective, impactful, and easily implemented anywhere in the world. Her dream is simple yet profound: a future where every woman, regardless of socioeconomic status or location, has access to high-quality, evidence-based cardiovascular care.
She believes that protecting the health of mothers secures the future of families, communities, and generations to come. By continuing to refine, replicate, and expand her model, Dr. Sareen is not just changing cardiology—she is shaping the future of healthcare itself.
Advice for Emerging Healthcare Leaders
To the next generation of medical professionals, Dr. Sareen offers heartfelt advice. “Let passion and not profit, guide your path. I would want you all to listen deeply, think critically, and act compassionately. The real rewards in medicine, comes from bridging disparities and championing equity—not from devices or financial gain.”
In a field often dominated by tradition and hierarchy, she reminds young leaders that the power to change lives lies within them. It may take effort, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose—but the transformation is worth it.
A Legacy of Heartfelt Leadership
Dr. Sareen stands at the forefront of a new era in cardiology—one defined by inclusivity, innovation, and unwavering compassion. Through her leadership, advocacy, and relentless pursuit of equity, she is reshaping how the world understands and treats women’s heart health. Her journey is a powerful reminder that when medicine meets mission, the result is not just healing—but hope for generations to come.
