Penn Nursing Summer Innovation Institute
Penn Nursing’s Summer Innovation Institute (SII) is a week-long, in-person, intensive workshop designed to provide diverse cohorts with the opportunity to explore design thinking, equity-centered design, and strategies for collaboratively implementing these concepts in the real world. Eidos invites a cohort of small teams engaged in LGBTQ+ health projects to spend the week deeply engaging with concepts and designs for new or improved offerings. The outcome is innovative ideas and approaches that are ready to address LGBTQ+ health disparities.
The Challenge
LGBTQ+ communities face significant barriers to care, including discrimination, fear of mistreatment, and a lack of trained, affirming providers. These issues are compounded by gaps in insurance coverage, especially for gender-affirming care, and limited access to culturally competent mental health services. Addressing these complex challenges requires cross-sector strategies, including policy reform, provider education, and community-driven support systems.
Design thinking is increasingly becoming a standard method for creating innovative solutions to address challenges like these. While design thinking is a powerful tool with a human-centered approach, it does not guarantee equitable solutions. It must be complemented by equity-centered models, which focus on collaboration and co-creation. That’s why the Summer Innovation Institute integrates a collaborative framework that engages all stakeholders and community members to ensure that innovative design solutions reflect the needs and preferences of the intended community.
The Participants
Eidos invited teams from across the country as well as local groups from Philadelphia to participate. The focus was to invite groups engaged in LGBTQ+ health issues who were actively working on new projects. We were honored to host teams from a diverse mix of organizations, including non-profits, startups, and healthcare providers.
Past participants include: Cancer Support Community, Colours Organization, DiscovHER Health, LGBTQ+ Health Directory, Movement Genius, Plume, ProChange Behavior Solutions, SAGEVenture, TRACE, Therapy Center of Philadelphia, and You:Flourish.
The Work
During their time at the Summer Innovation Institute, participants engaged in a series of structured activities designed to enhance their understanding and application of health equity principles.
Each morning began with talks by Penn faculty, who provided lectures and panel discussions on health equity. These sessions were followed by interactive activities that delved into the design thinking process, including empathy building, problem-definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Participants had the opportunity to collaborate with peers from other organizations, fostering a network of connections and shared learning experiences.
In the afternoons, teams participated in “studios” where they could explore their ideas more deeply using design thinking and “strategizer” methodologies. These sessions focused on identifying value propositions, pain points, and key success indicators for their concepts. Throughout the week, participants worked in small groups with Eidos coaches, developing their ideas and preparing project pitches.
The Results
The impact of the Summer Innovation Institute is best measured in the effects it’s had on those who attended. Participants gained tangible skills in exploring and developing solutions to pressing LGBTQ+ health concerns. They also connected to a network of practitioners and advisers dedicated to health equity work.
Many participants have gone on to launch new initiatives within their organizations, leveraging the knowledge and connections gained during the institute. Some have even partnered with fellow participants to create collaborative projects that address specific health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community.
These initiatives have not only advanced the mission of their respective organizations but have also contributed to the broader advancement of LGBTQ+ health equity and public health.
Participant Feedback:
"I have attended many, many conferences over the years and many times I left empty. This not only added to my knowledge base, it changed me and how I will practice in the future. I see the world differently."
"This revitalized me. Getting the opportunity to just learn and create was not only needed, but done in a fun, friendly manner that couldn’t be matched. You are all experts for pulling together different groups of individuals to focus on important topics, making them feel welcome, and encouraging collaboration."
"As someone very new to the innovation space, I thought that the information was practical, accessible, and useful."