National Directory
of Healthcare -
Proof of Concept
Client: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Lead Designer responsible for research, strategy, design, prototyping, and mentoring a junior designer.
Overview: A one-month proof of concept for a public-facing healthcare provider directory, designed to demonstrate the long-term potential of a national digital resource.
The Challenge
I led the research, design, and strategy for a one-month proof of concept for the National Directory of Healthcare. While the original pilot focused on enabling providers to update their own directory data online, I was tasked with reimagining the product’s potential—envisioning a scalable, public-facing tool that could serve not just providers, but also consumers, healthcare systems, and the broader public.
This project wasn’t just about form fields: it was about setting a long-term vision. It charted a forward-looking roadmap for how the directory could evolve into a foundational public health resource. The challenge required fast-paced research synthesis, systems-level thinking, and a commitment to human-centered design.
My Role
As the project lead, I owned the design direction from start to finish. I conducted research, led ideation, developed wireframes and high-fidelity designs, facilitated expert feedback sessions, and produced prototypes. I also mentored a junior designer throughout the process, helping them grow their skills in real time while delivering high-quality work on a tight timeline.
Key Contributions:
Led strategy, UX, and UI efforts across the entire project lifecycle
Developed a set of future-facing features
Created prototypes to communicate vision and functionality to stakeholders
Mentored a junior designer throughout a fast-paced delivery
Week 1:
Research & Discovery
Reviewed the existing CMS pilot to understand its scope, limitations, and technical underpinnings
Identified stakeholder goals, user pain points, and regulatory or technical constraints
Analyzed provider vs. consumer use cases to surface broader product opportunities and needs
Benchmarked similar types of healthcare-related sites and services
Mapped opportunities to expand the tool’s value beyond administrative updates
Week 2:
Ideation & Wireframing
Developed site architecture and user flows based on synthesized research findings
Created low-fidelity wireframes that prioritized content clarity and ease of use
Established structural foundations that could scale to support a public-facing experience
Ideated innovative additions to further elevate value
Week 3:
Feedback & Iteration
Facilitated feedback sessions with healthcare and policy experts
Gathered insights on data usability, accessibility, and long-term viability
Identified and incorporated improvements based on feedback to refine interaction patterns
Pivoted and adjusted features to enhance user relevance
“I used to work for the VA, and parking was huge - with PTSD, they would be exhausted by the time they got in the door.”
“Maybe a text message with a direct link–in addition to the email–would be helpful. This may be especially helpful for correcting data input errors quickly and easily.”
* Assets are intentionally blurred to protect IP
Week 4:
High-Fidelity Designs & Prototypes
Designed high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes
Refined components and content structure
Delivered a polished vision to stakeholders with a future-focused roadmap
Outcome and Impact
This engagement demonstrated not only the potential of the directory itself, but also my ability to lead high-impact projects under tight timelines. Stakeholders were impressed by the strategic thinking, attention to user needs, and clarity of vision. This proof of concept laid the foundation for future iterations — and showcased my skills in inclusive UX leadership, rapid prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration.
The final proof of concept received strong stakeholder feedback and demonstrated the potential of the directory beyond provider use. It also reinforced my strengths in UX leadership, accessibility strategy, and scaling ideas quickly and effectively.
