2018
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Background
Cancer prevention requires proactive engagement, but reaching high-risk populations is challenging. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) aimed to extend its expertise beyond treatment to identify and support at-risk individuals before cancer develops.
Outcomes
We turned a simple prototype into a powerful lung screening tool, engaging 6,000+ users with a 91% completion rate—far exceeding benchmarks. By scaling to 68,000 employees nationwide, we proved the demand for digital-first prevention, paving the way for expanded screening, outreach, and a full MSK Direct platform.
Role
Senior Design Strategist, leading team of service, UX, and developers to prototype cancer prevention interventions at a leading cancer hospital
Approach & Process
I led design, strategy, and product development for MSK’s digital engagement workstream, ensuring prevention services were accessible, relevant, and actionable by:
Aligning product vision with institutional goals.
Leading a cross-functional team of designers, researchers, and developers.
Conducting user research & prototyping to validate digital tools.
Establishing a strategic roadmap for scale.
User Research & Insights
We conducted extensive research to understand the motivations, barriers, and needs of high-risk groups, including:
Clinical Genetics & High-Risk Breast Patients
High-Risk Tobacco Users
Expert & Patient Interviews
Key Design Principles
Our research uncovered six key principles that guided the design of MSK’s prevention services:
Make It Personal – Tailored information makes users feel seen and motivated to act.
Encourage Open Conversations – Stigma creates barriers. Judgment-free experiences build trust and engagement.
Spark Curiosity – Fear leads to avoidance. Safe, low-pressure interactions help users explore their options.
Empower with Action – Awareness isn’t enough. Clear, step-by-step guidance makes prevention feel achievable.
Simplify Expertise – Overwhelming information deters action. Clear, accessible communication builds confidence.
Build Trust Through Transparency – Aligning MSK’s goals with users’ health priorities fosters trust and commitment.
These principles shaped every digital tool and service, making prevention more engaging, accessible, and actionable.
Results and Impact
Lung Screening Digital Quiz
A simple quiz launched during Lung Cancer Awareness Month engaged 6,000+ employees through MSK’s corporate partnership program MSK Direct, offering personalized screening recommendations.
12% Click-Through Rate (above industry benchmarks).
91% Completion Rate, indicating strong engagement.
19 screenings recommended, 3 appointments scheduled, proving effectiveness in driving preventive action.
Expanding Access
Expanded similar prototypes to 68,000 partner employees nationwide, validating the need for scalable, widely accessible prevention strategies.
Scaling the Impact
Building on these successes, the initiative led to:
Improved screening & genetics services, informed by user feedback.
Targeted digital outreach campaigns aligned with behavioral insights.
Development of a full digital platform for MSK Direct partners, extending MSK’s reach beyond hospital walls.
This initiative laid the foundation for a scalable digital prevention model, ensuring MSK remains at the forefront of early cancer detection and risk reduction.
