The Sheps Center for Health Services Research supports Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs across North Carolina, working with clinicians, administrators, educators, and institutional partners. Their work spans public‑facing outreach, internal systems, and professional development, including an annual statewide conference.
Problem / Goal
As the organization expanded, Sheps GME needed:
- A clear and cohesive brand structure across multiple related initiatives
- Public‑facing websites that were trustworthy, accessible, and easy to navigate
- An improved internal portal UX to better support staff workflows
- Conference materials and presentations that met accessibility compliance standards
The overarching goal was to create systems that supported people’s real work — not add friction.
My Role
I supported Sheps GME across multiple, connected areas over time, including:
- Brand development and sub‑brand creation (RuralGME, THCGME, NCGME)
- Public website design and UX consultation
- User‑centered redesign of the internal portal experience
- Conference support, including visual assets and logistics
- Development of accessible, compliant training for conference presenters
My role required balancing design, accessibility, stakeholder needs, and institutional constraints while collaborating with both technical and non‑technical partners.
Challenges & Decisions
Brand Architecture
One key challenge was creating sub‑brands that:
- Felt distinct but clearly connected to Sheps GME
- Could scale as new initiatives emerged
- Worked within an academic and healthcare context
Decisions focused on consistency, clarity, and long‑term sustainability rather than trend‑driven design.
Website & UX
For both public websites and the internal portal, challenges included:
- Designing for users with limited time and high cognitive load
- Supporting diverse technical skill levels
- Improving navigation and clarity without overhauling existing systems
I prioritized usability, plain language, and predictable patterns to reduce friction.
Accessibility & Conference Work
Many conference presenters were experts in their fields but unfamiliar with accessibility requirements. The challenge was to:
- Meet compliance standards
- Provide guidance that was practical, supportive, and non‑punitive
This led to building accessibility training that focused on why accessibility matters and how to implement it realistically.
Outcome & Impact
- Sheps GME now has a cohesive brand ecosystem that supports multiple initiatives
- Public websites better communicate credibility, purpose, and ease of use
- Internal portal UX improvements support staff workflows more effectively
- Conference presenters receive clearer guidance and training on accessibility, improving the overall quality and inclusivity of materials
Across all efforts, the work helped align branding, technology, and human needs.
Reflection
This work represents a shift from thinking about design and technology as isolated outputs to viewing them as systems that shape how people work, learn, and collaborate.
It reinforced my interest in:
- Human‑centered design in professional learning environments
- Accessibility as a shared responsibility, not an afterthought
- The importance of processes and workflows alongside visual design
This project strongly influenced my goal of working as an education and ed‑tech consultant — helping organizations make intentional, inclusive decisions across technology, collaboration, and learning systems.
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