Bridging the gap between treatment and survivorship
Designed a hospital-based support system that gave survivors trusted guidance, community, and comfort through compassionate design.
Bridging the gap between treatment and survivorship
Designed a hospital-based support system that gave survivors trusted guidance, community, and comfort through compassionate design.
Bridging the gap between treatment and survivorship
Designed a hospital-based support system that gave survivors trusted guidance, community, and comfort through compassionate design.
Overview
During my first year at DFA UW, my team set out to explore how design could better support women transitioning from Ovarian Cancer treatment to survivorship.
Through months of qualitative research and synthesis, we created Aurora — a hospital-based support kiosk connecting survivors with trustworthy information, relevant groups, and a network of peers.
Team
Sara Behbakht (Lead), Kailey Terraciano, Srinithi Latha, Kerry Horton
Role & Duration
UX Design · Systems Thinking · Cross-Functional Collaboration
Oct 2018 - May 2019
Overview
During my first year at DFA UW, my team set out to explore how design could better support women transitioning from Ovarian Cancer treatment to survivorship.
Through months of qualitative research and synthesis, we created Aurora — a hospital-based support kiosk connecting survivors with trustworthy information, relevant groups, and a network of peers.
Team
Sara Behbakht (Lead), Kailey Terraciano, Srinithi Latha, Kerry Horton
Role & Duration
UX Design · Systems Thinking · Cross-Functional Collaboration
Oct 2018 - May 2019
The Challenge
Survivors described feeling adrift once treatment ended — unsure where to find trustworthy information or emotional support. Professionals voiced concerns about misinformation and the lack of structured post-treatment planning.
Design prompt:
How might we better support Ovarian Cancer survivors in their transition from treatment to survivorship?
Key observations:
• Gaps in continuity of care
• Need for verified educational resources
• Emotional benefit of peer connection
• Desire for self-paced recovery tools
“I spend a lot of time telling patients where not to look and what not to search.”
The Challenge
Survivors described feeling adrift once treatment ended — unsure where to find trustworthy information or emotional support. Professionals voiced concerns about misinformation and the lack of structured post-treatment planning.
Design prompt:
How might we better support Ovarian Cancer survivors in their transition from treatment to survivorship?
Key observations:
• Gaps in continuity of care
• Need for verified educational resources
• Emotional benefit of peer connection
• Desire for self-paced recovery tools
“I spend a lot of time telling patients where not to look and what not to search.”
The Process
Human-Centered Research
We began with deep listening — conversational interviews with survivors in clinic waiting rooms and dedicated sessions with oncologists and nurses. Our research plan emphasized empathy and psychological safety, allowing emotion and openness to guide discussion.
“[Oftentimes right after treatment patients] don’t feel better yet they feel sick and abandoned, doctor interaction is how they were coping”
“I wanted information. I wanted to know as much as I could about what I was going through.”
“There were women who went through far worse. They taught me a lot about going forward.”
Synthesis + Insight Mapping
We translated these stories into actionable insights through journey and affinity mapping. Patterns revealed that survivors needed continuity, validation, and flexible support — leading to three core design requirements: Education, Support, Connection.
Human-Centered Research
We began with deep listening — conversational interviews with survivors in clinic waiting rooms and dedicated sessions with oncologists and nurses. Our research plan emphasized empathy and psychological safety, allowing emotion and openness to guide discussion.
“[Oftentimes right after treatment patients] don’t feel better yet they feel sick and abandoned, doctor interaction is how they were coping”
“I wanted information. I wanted to know as much as I could about what I was going through.”
“There were women who went through far worse. They taught me a lot about going forward.”
Synthesis + Insight Mapping
We translated these stories into actionable insights through journey and affinity mapping. Patterns revealed that survivors needed continuity, validation, and flexible support — leading to three core design requirements: Education, Support, Connection.
The Process
Human-Centered Research
We began with deep listening — conversational interviews with survivors in clinic waiting rooms and dedicated sessions with oncologists and nurses. Our research plan emphasized empathy and psychological safety, allowing emotion and openness to guide discussion.
“[Oftentimes right after treatment patients] don’t feel better yet they feel sick and abandoned, doctor interaction is how they were coping”
“I wanted information. I wanted to know as much as I could about what I was going through.”
“There were women who went through far worse. They taught me a lot about going forward.”
Synthesis + Insight Mapping
We translated these stories into actionable insights through journey and affinity mapping. Patterns revealed that survivors needed continuity, validation, and flexible support — leading to three core design requirements: Education, Support, Connection.
Human-Centered Research
We began with deep listening — conversational interviews with survivors in clinic waiting rooms and dedicated sessions with oncologists and nurses. Our research plan emphasized empathy and psychological safety, allowing emotion and openness to guide discussion.
“[Oftentimes right after treatment patients] don’t feel better yet they feel sick and abandoned, doctor interaction is how they were coping”
“I wanted information. I wanted to know as much as I could about what I was going through.”
“There were women who went through far worse. They taught me a lot about going forward.”
Synthesis + Insight Mapping
We translated these stories into actionable insights through journey and affinity mapping. Patterns revealed that survivors needed continuity, validation, and flexible support — leading to three core design requirements: Education, Support, Connection.
The Solution
The kiosk’s design language mirrors its purpose — white and teal tones, soft curves for privacy, ADA-compliant height, and open structure to foster calm and trust.
Aurora is a research and support kiosk placed on oncology floors, offering survivors a safe starting point for post-treatment recovery.
Core features:
Personalized onboarding that curates reading materials, survivor stories, and local groups.
Privacy controls for anonymous participation.
Organized content under Connections, Resources, and Support.
Printed or digital take-home summaries for continued access.
The Solution
The kiosk’s design language mirrors its purpose — white and teal tones, soft curves for privacy, ADA-compliant height, and open structure to foster calm and trust.
Aurora is a research and support kiosk placed on oncology floors, offering survivors a safe starting point for post-treatment recovery.
Core features:
Personalized onboarding that curates reading materials, survivor stories, and local groups.
Privacy controls for anonymous participation.
Organized content under Connections, Resources, and Support.
Printed or digital take-home summaries for continued access.
The Reflection
Aurora taught me that rigorous research and deep empathy can coexist — and together, they create meaningful design. This project reinforced the importance of building safe spaces for dialogue, even within clinical settings.
Design begins with listening.
We presented Aurora at Artefact Studio in Seattle, sharing not only the final concept but the human stories that inspired it.
The Reflection
Aurora taught me that rigorous research and deep empathy can coexist — and together, they create meaningful design. This project reinforced the importance of building safe spaces for dialogue, even within clinical settings.
Design begins with listening.
We presented Aurora at Artefact Studio in Seattle, sharing not only the final concept but the human stories that inspired it.
