HUE Lab partners with St. Michael's Hospital for Surgical Bra Redesign
As part of the new ‘Creativity and Critical Care’ initiative established in partnership with the Ryerson University’s Healthcare User Experience Lab (HUE Lab) and Dr. Jory Simpson, staff surgeon specialising in breast cancer at St. Michael’s Hospital (external link) , a site of Unity Health Toronto, students at The Creative School were given the opportunity to redesign a post-surgical bra and a chance to win $10K in funding. Fourth-year Fashion Design student Jo-Ann Harris was selected among the entries to work alongside Dr. Simpson as part of a one year internship to reimagine a post-operative bra for patients who have undergone breast surgery. In consultation with doctors and patients, the initiative will focus on addressing important issues related to post-operative rehabilitation and patient comfort. The HUE Lab is located within The Creative School, Ryerson University's faculty of media, design, and creative industries.
“Our vision is to work collaboratively in ways that optimise the patient experience. This objective aligns with the HUE Lab’s goal of creating a research space that employs user-centred principles to bring innovation to healthcare. The partnership presents a natural extension of a long-standing relationship that Unity Health Toronto has had with Ryerson University,” says Dr. Ori Rotstein, Vice President of Research and Innovation at Unity Health Toronto.
The ‘Creativity and Critical Care’ research and development initiative pairs students and researchers from The Creative School with physicians and medical practitioners to address pressing issues in critical healthcare. This project was initiated by The HUE Lab, a creative research space that uses the human-centred principles of innovation, design, and strategic communication to make the healthcare experience better for both patients, and practitioners. Working with a leading teaching and research hospital in downtown Toronto, the HUE Lab hosted a surgical bra redesign challenge to inspire a creative approach to innovation in design that included an extensive application process and pitch session.
"Perfection in healthcare is an asymptotic line but by encouraging interdisciplinarity in the design process in healthcare HUE helps create processes and products that achieve the best health for the most," says Dr. Jessica Mudry, founder of the HUE Lab.
The post-op surgical bra is specially designed for use after breast surgery and throughout recovery to improve blood flow and facilitate the healing process. Harris, a senior Fashion Design student and seamstress who owns her own lingerie, swimwear, and loungewear brand, JEC Apparel, will lead the redesign project to reimagine the postsurgical undergarment with a focus on healing, comfort and compassion. She will team up with Dr. Simpson to meet patients, nurses and other care providers at St. Michael’s to develop, optimise and possibly commercialise the design.
“Throughout my schooling I've focused intensely on fit and inclusivity. I created a brand based on these very values and I try to insert them in every project I am a part of. I'm very excited to start on this journey to redesign the surgical bra because I am a firm believer that everyone, no matter who they are, should feel comfortable in their undergarments. Breast cancer is hard on not just the body, but the mind as well and I want to try to alleviate at least some of that pain. It would be my greatest joy to work with these patients and healthcare providers, and I thank Dr. Simpson and the HUE Lab team for awarding me the opportunity to do so,” says winning designer Jo-Ann Harris.
As a surgical oncologist and the pioneer of the ‘Patient as Teacher’ program for medical residents, Dr. Simpson is excited to work with a fashion design student from The Creative School to improve the quality, comfort, and look of the post-surgical bra.
About the Healthcare User Experience (HUE) Lab
The HUE Lab is a creative research space housed in The Creative School that applies design thinking and medical humanities approaches to improve healthcare for patients and practitioners. With the support of faculty and students who are committed to equity, community, and collaboration, the HUE Lab uses human-centred communication strategies, interdisciplinary teamwork and knowledge mobilisation strategies to address healthcare challenges with a focus on bettering healthcare users’ experience.
About The Creative School at Ryerson University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Interview opportunities:
Dr. Jessica Mudry
Director of the HUE Lab
Associate Professor & Chair -
Professional Communication program at The Creative School
Media inquiries:
Tania Ulrich
Marketing and Communication Coordinator
The Creative School at Ryerson University
Ashley Haraburda
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Creative School at Ryerson University
Unity Health Toronto
To get in touch with Dr. Jory Simpson or Dr. Ori Rotstein, please contact