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A Story of Design Defying The Status Quo

We’re an innovation studio dedicated to finding the most creative and effective solutions that transform the way healthcare is delivered and experienced.

A Mission To Re-Design Healthcare Experiences

We are a member of the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research hospital, but our work extends far beyond the walls of UHN. In fact, we view the health system as our lab. We challenge ourselves to re-imagine what it means to be an innovator in an era of healthcare so rich in technological progress yet so challenged in meeting the needs of people.

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A large sheet of paper covers a table. There are colourful markers on the table and a variety of messages are written on the paper.

Our Laboratory Is the Health System Itself

OpenLab builds on the work and experience of its predecessor, the Centre for Innovation in Complex Care (CICC). In order for us to tackle big challenges in healthcare, we realized our laboratory needed to be the health system itself. The name OpenLab reflects the shift from an “in here” to an “out there” orientation towards innovation.

Meet Our Team

Featured Projects

Our projects cover many themes with a focus on tech-based patient experiences, aging in place, and addressing complex care for chronic diseases.

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NORCs

Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) are regular residential buildings that have become home to a high density of older adults.

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Friendly Neighbour Hotline

The Friendly Neighbour Hotline is a volunteer-driven program to support low-income seniors with food access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Two young women are sitting on either side of a senior aged woman wearing a virtual reality headset.

Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx)

Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx) is a suite of projects that design and evaluate therapeutic VR-interventions for diverse and challenging populations (patients, caregivers, providers), from community to acute care.

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Overdose Response Network

ORN is a mobile app connecting people who use drugs alone with peers who can respond to overdose alerts with naloxone. It takes the concept of a safe consumption site virtual.

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The Open Lab Manifesto poster in the office

Our Manifesto

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    This is your health system. Stop thinking someone else is going to fix the problem.

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    All the world’s a lab. It has all the tools you need. Design for the messiness of the real world. That’s where innovation has to live.

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    Take the user’s perspective. Know their expressed and unexpressed needs. The average user is just a statistic. People are diverse.

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    Beware of your own expertise. Invite the outside in. Encourage unconventional mashups of people and ideas.

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    Innovate responsibly. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Simplicity spreads.

Our People

Our dynamic team has a depth and breadth of experience and knowledge. We invite you to get to know them.

Meet Our Team
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OpenLab_Open Rounds

Join The Conversation The First Tuesday of Every Month

Curious about our work? Have an idea to contribute? Our monthly gathering is open to anyone who wants to meet our team, learn about current projects, and hear from thought-provoking guest speakers.

See Upcoming OpenHouse
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