Design That Heals: Creating the Patient Experience

We've All Been There, And That’s the Problem

Think about it: how many people in your life have been affected by cancer? A loved one, a friend, maybe even you. Chances are, your hand is going up. Cancer is something that our Chief Experience Officer, EJ Kritz, unfortunately, knows all too well.

At this year’s HealthSpaces conference, he opened up about his raw, vulnerable experience with stage 3 metastatic melanoma in front of the live audience. His goal wasn’t to dramatize; it was to reveal how easily we overlook the human experience in healthcare.

As a healthcare design-build firm, we know space isn’t just functional, it’s foundational. EJ didn't just share his story; he shared a solution.

On stage he introduced our JunXion Micro-Clinic. A modular, plug-and-play model designed to meet patients where they are, delivering comfort, access, and dignity in the moments they need it most.

Patients Are Split Between Healing and Holding It Together

EJ’s story highlighted a rarely discussed truth: when patients are undergoing medical procedures, their attention is often divided.

Instead of focusing on their health, their minds wander elsewhere:

• • “Is my family safe here?"

  • “This space feels cold and chaotic.”

  • “Will I ever get better?”

When undergoing treatment, these were the exact questions going through EJ’s mind, and the thoughts many patients experience. Healthcare facility design too often ignores the emotional side of healing. When patients are split between healing and managing the stress of their surroundings, the outcome is abysmal.

The truth is comfort isn’t just a luxury; it’s a critical component of care. There’s a direct correlation between patient comfort and health outcomes. So, now the question becomes: are we creating spaces where our patients can truly heal?

"Create a space where I can live, even if I'm in the process of dying.

That would’ve been the greatest gift my hospital could’ve given me."

— EJ Kritz, Chief Experience Officer

If An Airport Can Create Lounges That Feel Like Home, Why Can’t Healthcare?

When an airport lounge can offer more dignity, peace, and privacy than an infusion center, it's time to reevaluate our healthcare environments.

With medical television shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Med, and House, we’re conditioned to expect high-end offices, plush furniture, soft lighting, and private rooms. The reality is that most healthcare environments often feel more like a DMV than a space designed for healing. But even in high-functioning environments like ASCs, we’re seeing design trends that prioritize comfort and emotional care.

What would it look like if healthcare borrowed the best retail design and pushed the envelope on the patient experience?

What if the goal wasn’t just efficiency, but emotional safety?