Anthony Scarpone-Lambert, a first-generation college student, is not your average 21-year-old. Although he is fulfilling his standard final semester responsibilities as a resident advisor, member of student government, and as a nursing student, the Chalfont, Pennsylvania native is also building out a business based on a novel invention, uNight Light, a wearable night light. The product was inspired by the 2021 Class Board’s new tradition, U-Night.
Helped in part by Penn’s capacity to connect good ideas with technical expertise and entrepreneurial guidance, Scarpone-Lambert co-founded the start-up Lumify Care to develop uNight Light.
Made by nurses for nurses, uNight Light was co-created with Jennifferre Mancillas, a nurse in California, who Scarpone-Lambert met at a hackathon. They describe their invention as an elegant, simple solution to a complicated problem. The uNight Light is meant to avoid disturbing hospital patients with bright overhead lights while they are asleep, helping patients receive the rest they need to heal. “Nurses don’t always get the credit for exceptional care or brilliant ideas, but Lumify Care is a nurse-led venture within the innovation ecosystem,” said Scarpone-Lambert.
“Anthony did the homework, and took advantage of every opportunity at Penn,” said his academic advisor, Dr. Terry Richmond, the Andrea B. Laporte Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean for Research & Innovation at Penn Nursing.
The uNight Light was not Scarpone-Lambert’s first bright idea. As a Hillman Scholar in Nursing Innovation, he has flourished in Penn’s environment of entrepreneurship. Lumify Care participated in and received funding from the Wharton Venture Lab VIP-X Launch Accelerator. Additional capital was raised through the Wharton Innovation Fund, and the WeissFund Innovation Award. “As a first-generation student, I wanted to maximize my four years here,” he said. “My parents work really hard, and that same drive lives in me.”
In 2019, Scarpone-Lambert won the “Social Impact Award” at the Wharton Startup Showcase with fellow Quaker Kirti Shenoy, W’21. Their idea, Text 911, allowed people to text 911 as an emergency request.
Although it’s an oft-repeated phrase at Penn, access to all types of knowledge across campus is real, says Dr. Richmond. “I regularly meet with students like Anthony who have innovative ideas,” she said. “We coach them on how to pitch, and let them know who to collaborate with at places like Penn Law, Penn Libraries, Penn Medicine, or Penn Engineering.”
Scarpone-Lambert’s reaction to being accepted to Penn has millions of views online. “It was a huge deal for my family, really a dream come true,” he said. Since that life-changing moment, he has spoken publicly about “imposter syndrome,” the idea that he did not belong at Penn. That misconception faded quickly for Scarpone-Lambert, as his involvement in groups for entrepreneurs and performing arts became part of the fiber that made up his daily Penn experience.
“I know I do belong here. I found my people,” he said. “That’s the beauty of Penn—there are so many people to support you along the way.”
As Scarpone-Lambert looks ahead, he plans to focus on his start-up, which is taking pre-orders for uNight Light, connecting with hospitals, and planning for more products in the future. At the moment, however, he wants to make sure he soaks up every last second at Penn. “There’s still so much to see and learn—every day is an adventure here.”
Support Nursing Innovation at Penn
Header image: Sukhmani Kaur.
