To ensure the app resonated with its audience, I facilitated workshops with nurses and clinical directors to uncover their unique challenges. These sessions revealed critical insights into the daily stressors nurses face, from unpredictable shifts to limited downtime.

To guide design decisions, I developed a detailed persona, “Emily,” a 28-year-old Neonatal Nurse, embodying the core user’s needs and pain points. This persona became the foundation for every design choice. Additionally, I created comprehensive mind maps to visualize system relationships and prioritize features, ensuring the app addressed the most pressing user needs.

As the lead product designer for Keener (2019–2020), I spearheaded the end-to-end design process for HealthStream’s mental wellness app, addressing the staggering 70% burnout rate among nurses. Keener launched in October 2020, delivering personalized mental health support and quick stress-relief tools tailored to the unique demands of nurses’ schedules.

End to End Clinical Mental Health iOS App

I established the app’s information architecture and user flows, ensuring a seamless experience from onboarding to daily use. A component-based design system was created to maintain cross-platform consistency and scalability.

Key design highlights included:
  • An intuitive 5-step onboarding flow tailored to nurse specialties, reducing friction for first-time users.
  • High-fidelity prototypes built in Framer, enabling rapid iteration and stakeholder alignment.

B2c | mental health | zero to one

all work

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Overview

Impact & Evolution

Keener launched on iOS in October 2020, focusing on guided shift reflection, daily inspirational content, and mindfulness techniques. The app quickly built an engaged community (@keenerapp) of nurses supporting each other’s mental well-being through daily practice.

Key Outcomes
  • Empowered nurses with accessible mental health resources tailored to their demanding schedules.

  • Created a scalable platform that continues to evolve, serving as a vital resource for healthcare professionals managing stress and preventing burnout.

Design System & Architecture

Technical Implementation

Leading a cross-functional team of engineers and designers, I tackled technical challenges such as video playback and offline access—both critical for hospital environments with inconsistent connectivity. Responsive design solutions ensured the app functioned seamlessly across devices, while clinical experts validated all content for accuracy and relevance.

Core Functionality

Personalized Content Delivery: Tailored to nurse specialties, ensuring relevance and engagement.

Quick-Access Tools: Breathing exercises and guided shift reflections designed for fast relief during high-pressure moments.

Achievement Tracking: Aligned with varying shift patterns to encourage consistent use.

Offline Access: Critical for hospital environments with limited connectivity.

User Experience

Streamlined Onboarding: A 5-step process optimized for busy nurses.

Category-Based Navigation: Simplified content discovery.

Video-Based Learning Modules: Engaging, bite-sized content for mindfulness and stress management.

Daily Engagement Features: Inspirational content and reminders to encourage regular use.

Lessons Learned

This project reinforced the importance of:

  • Empathy-Driven Design: Deeply understanding the user’s environment and constraints is critical for delivering meaningful solutions.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnering with engineers, clinical experts, and stakeholders ensured the app balanced user needs with technical and content constraints.

  • Iterative Development: Rapid prototyping and testing allowed us to refine the experience and deliver a polished product.

Research & Discovery

Behavioral Analysis

Visual Language & Design System

Mobile & Interaction Design