Problem

COVID-19 forced the closure of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) physical lounge, leaving Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) patients isolated. The existing "Lounge App" suffered from extremely low retention because it failed to meet the community's unique psychosocial needs or resemble familiar, intuitive social platforms

Research Results

• The Gap: Competitors lacked secure, clinical social networks, leaving a rare opportunity for MSK to provide a safe space for diagnosis-specific sharing.

• Patient Journey: Users prioritized forming connections with peers sharing similar ages and treatment stages to address emotional vulnerability.

• Virtual Necessity: Interactive online programs were found to be essential for countering isolation when physical health limited in-person participation.

Impact

My research directly informed a design strategy centered on a Mentorship Feature that connects survivors with new patients for emotional support and resilience. By identifying specific retention drivers, like personalized connection matching, and removing usability barriers, the project provided a roadmap to increase engagement. This shift toward interactive virtual accessibility ensured isolated patients could stay connected regardless of their physical condition.