What is your hometown?
Omaha, NE (but I’ve lived in Chicago for almost 30 years!)
                 
What are your interests/hobbies?
napping with my dogs, playing ukulele and cooking with my friends

What are your favorite Chicago activities?
The Old Town School of Folk Music is an incredible community of musicians. I enjoy seeing music at Space in Evanston and City Winery in Chicago, and The 606 is the best urban park and trail system in the country!
                 
Did you work full time through the program?
Yes, I worked full time throughout the program.  And I’m a small business owner, too.  In some ways, I treated each class like it was a new “client” of mine. 

Was time commitment reasonable?
It was a busy year, but with good planning and discipline, it was really very doable.

Professionally, what are you doing now?
I’m planning how to bring my current healthcare clients better insights and human-centered strategies. 
                 
Tell us about a “Northwestern moment.” More specifically, was there a moment either in class or otherwise associated with the program where something really clicked for you?
In spring quarter, when our practicum teams were assigned, I was really excited to start putting everything I’d learned so far into action.  And when our practicum sponsor explained their challenges and what they wanted from us in only 8 short weeks, I thought to myself, “We got this.”  We were all confident we had the right knowledge and the skills to deliver a great project.  And we did!

How has the program changed the way you view healthcare?     
Absolutely. The need for a different approach to healthcare is critical. We must be more collaborative and involve patients in new solutions.  Healthcare does too many things TO patients rather than WITH patients.  And healthcare is too focused on keeping surgery bays and hospital beds full. We should be trying to keep them empty.

Did you discover anything new or unexpected at Northwestern?
As a journalism undergrad at NU, I’d never taken a class in the school of Communication.  I wished I’d taken “How Interaction Works” years ago!