Seniors Ameya Kohli, left, and Bhavini Saini placed first in the Medical Innovation category at the HOSA International Leadership Conference last month. Courtesy photo

Two Wylie High School students were named world champions after taking first place at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in June, thanks to a medical invention they hope will change the future of patient care.

Seniors Ameya Kohli and Bhavini Saini placed first in the Medical Innovation category, beating out 98 other teams from around the world at the annual competition, held June 18–21 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Their invention, a self-sanitizing IV (SSIV), uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill pathogens that can enter the bloodstream through IV lines, causing dangerous—and sometimes fatal—infections known as central line-associated bloodstream infections or CLABSIs.

“What began as a small idea—just a hope to help the patient we knew—grew into something with real impact,” Ameya said. “Knowing that Bhavini and I created something that can meaningfully improve this patient’s quality of life and also save many others has left me feeling fulfilled and excited for the future.”

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