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.
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)
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.
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.
Design Thinking Workshops
Human-Centered Design Lab Members

Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd
Director, Human-Centered Design Lab; Member, P-METaL Lab, Kern Institute

Ilya Avdeev, PhD
Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

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

Ethan Duwell, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Kristina Kaljo, PhD
Director, Faculty Pillar, Kern Institute

Emily M. Lambert
Student Member, Human-Centered Design Lab

Ramneet Mann
Student Member, Human Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

Morgan Maring
Student Member

Lauren Stippich
Student Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute
Alumni

M. Chris Decker, MD
Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

Kathryn Havens, MD
Member, Human-Centered Design Lab, Kern Institute

Karen Marcdante, MD
Professor, Section of Critical Care Medicine
Contact Us
Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd
Director, Human Center Design Lab
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Suite M1990
Milwaukee, WI 53226