Have you had any eye-opening healthcare-related experiences before?
All of us realize that the advent of the internet and mobile devices has enabled not only work, but also, the healthcare experience to migrate to new and changing places. Despite advances in technology, the healthcare experience today largely remains reactive, focused on sickness, not wellness. Costs are extremely high and overall outcomes are inconsistent at best. On a personal note, my mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. Because I live in another city, I participated in her diagnostic moment via cell phone while my mother, brothers and sisters were crammed into a small patient room to meet with the oncologist to receive the devastating news. Needless to say, despite the advancements in technology, the environment did very little to humanize the experience nor empower my mother or other family members to improve the overall health outcome. 

Following my mother's diagnosis, I was able to accompany Mom to her chemo treatment at Spectrum Health's Lemmen Holton Cancer Center. The infusion bay featured Sonata casegoods and Empath recliners. The space did an excellent job of integrating technology (power, t.v., monitor). Because of the insights gained during observational research, the Empath recliner also enabled my mother to be wheeled to the restroom during chemo and the space nicely accommodated her nurse and I as we engaged in our consultative session with my mom. While no one desires to participate in their own reactive healthcare journey, the space humanized the experience by enabling better connection and empowerment of all parties involved.

Excited to join the Nurture team? What have you seen or learned in your short time so far at Nurture?

Externally, I've been excited by the market opportunity that exists as a result of the massive change underway in healthcare, both out of necessity (cost and quality), enablement (technology) and desire (improved healthcare outcomes). Internally, I'm motivated by the passion teams at Steelcase and dealers have for "carving out" our unique offering in support of the healthcare journey.