Cumming School of Medicine
A Plan for the Future of Healthcare
The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) engaged J5 Design to guide the development of a strategy that could respond to both local realities and global shifts. Success meant more than producing a plan, it required building something shaped by the diverse perspectives of CSM’s community, including students, faculty, staff, healthcare agencies, government partners, and patients.
INDUSTRY
Education, Healthcare
CLIENT
University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine
WHY IT MATTERS
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with mounting pressure on Canada’s healthcare system, clarity on where to focus became more critical than ever. By applying service design methodologies, CSM was able to include voices and perspectives that had traditionally been left out of planning processes. This intentional engagement and iterative development process helped create a strategy that was not only more relevant but also more widely adopted.
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS
J5 Design created and executed a development process with iterative feedback loops that de-risked decisions and socialized the plan as it evolved.
Our approach combined small-scale, targeted engagements with large-scale feedback and data collection to balance depth and reach.
Our team produced tailored materials for different audiences, ensuring focused input on the most critical parts of the plan.
Impact
-
User Level
Voices across the CSM community were heard, documented, and considered in the development of the strategic plan.
The final strategy reflected the needs of diverse groups.
-
Employee Level
Engagement methods ensured that the plan recognized different staff priorities, ensuring effective funding decisions.
Collaborative process reduced organizational silos between departments and focus areas.
-
Organizational Level
Over 2,500 people were engaged in shaping the final strategic plan.
The strategy was well received by different audiences (faculty, students, practitioners) and quickly adopted.
CSM demonstrated its ability to navigate complexity with confidence, standing out for its leadership in the Canadian health education landscape.
