Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education

Human-Centered Design Laboratory

The Kern Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin is advancing innovation in medical education by applying human-centered design principles and the tenants of the entrepreneurial mindset: curiosity, connections, and creating value. Learn how we are partnering with faculty, students and staff to innovate medical education through inclusive, creative problem-solving techniques and design thinking methodology.

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Human-Centered Design is a team-based approach to problem-solving that uses empathy to develop a deep understanding of a problem through engagement with stakeholders. This allows the problem to be clearly articulated, which paves the way for brainstorming of solutions, followed by prototyping a solution that is most impactful. There is then continuous and intentional short-cycle iterative improvement to the solutions design. Human-centered design can be practiced as a standalone discipline in a core fundamentals workshop, or taught by embedding the methodology within an existing curriculum.

The Human-Centered Design Lab partners with departments, committees, pathways and other groups across the MCW/Froedtert health system to solve problems though facilitated Design Sprints. The Lab also offers a variety of workshops to help groups use this methodology to develop and advance projects.

Human-Centered Design Lab Initiatives

Transformational Ideas Initiative (TI2)

Transformational Ideas Initiative (TI2)

This annual seed grant program funds projects proposed by MCW faculty, staff, students, residents and fellows that focus on innovating medical education. Projects are developed using an innovator's mindset and piloted each academic year, with an emphasis on advancing successful pilots into the college permanently.

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Human-Centered Design Sprints

Human-Centered Design Sprints

Human-Centered Design is a team-based approach to problem-solving that uses empathy to develop a deep understanding of any problem. This allows the problem to be clearly articulated, which paves the way for brainstorming of solutions, followed by prototyping a solution that is most impactful.

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Design Thinking Workshops

Design Thinking Workshops

Work with HCD lab members to add design thinking to a class or course. We offer everything from single introductory workshop sessions, where students gain experience with real-world design challenges in a single session, to more advanced sessions that build across several sessions.
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Human-Centered Design Lab Members

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Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd

Director, Human-Centered Design Lab; Member, P-METaL Lab, Kern Institute

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Ilya Avdeev, PhD

Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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Amy Beierle, MEd

Instructional Designer; Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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Ethan Duwell, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

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Kristina Kaljo, PhD

Director, Faculty Pillar, Kern Institute

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Emily M. Lambert

Student Member, Human-Centered Design Lab

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Ramneet Mann

Student Member, Human Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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Morgan Maring

Student Member

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Lauren Stippich

Student Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

Alumni

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M. Chris Decker, MD

Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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Kathryn Havens, MD

Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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Karen Marcdante, MD

Professor, Section of Critical Care Medicine

Contact Us

Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd

Director, Human Center Design Lab

Kern Institute
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Suite M1990
Milwaukee, WI 53226