Surabhi Bhandari: Healthcare Digital Women Leadership of the Year at Soulside

Ye Chen | MUSE Creative Awards
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April 17, 2025

Surabhi Bhandari

Surabhi Bhandari's journey in healthcare began at McKinsey & Co. and continued as a venture investor at Sequoia Capital. After earning her MBA from Harvard, she led commercialization efforts at Lexington Medical, expanding innovative surgical devices globally. In 2022, she founded Soulside to leverage AI in addressing critical challenges in the behavioral health industry.


1Please provide us a brief bio of yourself and your health industry background.

My journey in healthcare began at McKinsey & Co., and subsequently, I was a venture investor at Sequoia Capital. After completing my MBA at Harvard, I led early commercialization and growth efforts at Lexington Medical, bringing innovative surgical devices to global markets.

In 2022, I founded Soulside to solve critical challenges in the behavioral health industry through AI.

2What motivated you to pursue this particular health initiative, and what impact has it had on individuals or communities?

My experience in healthcare technology revealed some critical challenges: healthcare data exists in unhelpful silos, and critical patient insights are lost or underutilized. Healthcare providers spend too much time on administrative tasks instead of patient care. Access to critical resources is blocked by inefficient workflows.

At Soulside, we're using AI to transform this landscape with a focus on behavioral health. We've developed technology that automates administrative work while providing data-driven clinical insights, enabling providers to focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional care.

3Tell us more about your business/company, your job profile, and the specific responsibilities you undertake.

As the founder and CEO of Soulside, I lead a company that's transforming mental healthcare through AI. My role involves several key responsibilities. I led the assembly of our world-class team of clinical and technical leaders and established partnerships with leading behavioral health experts across the country.

The company has raised capital from leading venture funds and received recognition from organizations like the UCSF Rosenman Institute, One Mind Accelerator, and others. Day to day, I focus on driving our mission to expand access to quality mental healthcare. My priority is to continually innovate and scale our solution to help the behavioral health industry address the growing crisis while maintaining the highest standards of care.

4Can you share a specific story or testimonial that exemplifies the positive impact your project has had on an individual or community?
One of the most powerful validations of Soulside's impact comes from our engagement with behavioral health programs across the country. We constantly hear how our platform has transformed our partners’ ability to deliver care, especially for group-based care.
5What inspired you to create this health-related creative project, and what message or impact were you aiming to convey?

My inspiration for Soulside came from recognizing the urgent mental health crisis in America, as well as the immense complexity and gaps in behavioral healthcare delivery. Having worked at the intersection of healthcare and technology, I saw how we could leverage innovation to make quality mental healthcare more accessible.

The statistics were stark, but what truly drove me was the opportunity to create real change—and seeing the impact: clinicians focusing more on care delivery, improved patient engagement, and better treatment outcomes.

6Congratulations! As a winner of the TITAN Health Awards, what does it mean to you, your company or team to receive this award distinction?

This award is a meaningful validation of our mission to transform behavioral healthcare through AI. This gold-level recognition—awarded by an international panel of experts from over 26 countries—reflects the innovative work our team is doing at Soulside.

We're using technology to empower clinicians and improve patient care, and this award acknowledges our leadership in digital healthcare transformation. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries to make quality mental healthcare more accessible and efficient, while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.

7How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
This recognition has enhanced my ability to influence positive change in healthcare technology, opening doors to collaborate with leading institutions and industry leaders. It's validated my vision of using AI to transform mental healthcare delivery and strengthened my position as a thought leader in digital health innovation.
8What are your top three (3) things you think is unique about the health industry?

First, healthcare uniquely combines human-centered care with complex operational challenges. Success requires balancing clinical excellence with operational efficiency - something we see daily in behavioral health settings.

Second, the regulatory landscape is intricate, especially around data security and patient privacy. Understanding these compliance requirements is crucial for any healthcare innovation.

Third, the stakes are incredibly high because we're dealing with people's wellbeing. This demands exceptional attention to quality and safety while still pushing for innovation. Every decision must prioritize patient outcomes while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

9Where do you see the evolution of the health industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Healthcare is rapidly moving toward technology-enabled personalized care delivery. Over the next decade, we'll see technology making healthcare more accessible and efficient, and augmenting clinicians' capabilities. The focus will be on preventive care and data-driven insights, while maintaining the essential human element in healthcare delivery.
10What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the health industry?
I recommend joining industry organizations and participating in healthcare technology accelerators. Consider pursuing certifications in healthcare compliance and AI ethics. Most importantly, spend time with clinicians and healthcare providers to understand real-world challenges. Hands-on experience is invaluable in healthcare innovation.
11Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My father inspired me by showing me the power of determination and service to others. Growing up, I watched him tackle challenges with unwavering optimism and dedication, always putting others first. His belief that success comes from both hard work and making a positive difference in people's lives has guided my entire career journey.
12What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Stay authentic to your mission while remaining adaptable in your approach. Success comes from deeply understanding the problems you're solving and being relentless in finding solutions. Build strong teams who share your values, and never lose sight of the human impact of your work. Keep learning and stay humble.

Surabhi Bhandari

Surabhi Bhandari's journey in healthcare began at McKinsey & Co. and continued as a venture investor at Sequoia Capital. After earning her MBA from Harvard, she led commercialization efforts at Lexington Medical, expanding innovative surgical devices globally. In 2022, she founded Soulside to leverage AI in addressing critical challenges in the behavioral health industry.


Explore the journey of Jiahui Yu & Yixuan Song, the Silver Winners at the 2024 TITAN Health Awards. The two talented UX designers created MindMender, a platform integrating psychological therapies like CBT, REBT, and Psychoanalysis, using deep learning and natural language processing for personalized insights, with iWatch integration for real-time health monitoring.

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