One of my core beliefs is that if we give people access to the data, information, and tools they need to solve their own problems, they will. The Maker movement is an example of a group of people who embody this idea. They modify and improve the world around them. They look at a problem and not only say, […]
maker movement
How to judge an innovation
George Hacks is a medical and assistive device hackathon happening this weekend in Washington, DC. The students organizing the event have done a stellar job recruiting sponsors, “need-knowers” (organizations looking for fresh perspectives) and “problem-solvers” (students from all sorts of majors, from public health to international relations to biomedical engineering). I’ve been advising the team and […]
Thread by thread
I’m honoring the contributions of my community colleagues over the years by pulling out some of their best comments and quotes. Julia M. Brennan, in response to Textiles are technology (2015): The intersection of woven dyed hand made textiles and fast evolving technologies (high tech fabric production as well as IT communications) today is a […]
Creating space for innovation
It seems like forever-ago that I delivered this keynote at Stanford Medicine X. Innovators are facing even more significant challenges than I could have imagined back in September 2016. And yet I still believe we live in a time of abundant opportunity to connect with people who want to work toward a participatory, innovative future […]
We need a whole-community response in health and health care
At no other time in history have we been able to communicate across the world, in an instant, with anyone and everyone who has knowledge and experience to share. Never has it been so easy to solve problems together. When it comes to your health, your community may be your superpower.
DIY innovation in the hospital
My grandfather, Frank H.J. Figge, was a cancer researcher who faced shortages during World War II and had to improvise to keep his lab going. When he ran short of quartz lenses he remembered hearing that plastic also transmits ultraviolet rays and filled synthetic sausage casings with water to create a perfect — much cheaper — substitute. Nurses have […]
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