Hey there, I'm Kari McElfish - it's nice of you to stop by!
As a Physical Therapist Assistant turned User Experience Researcher & Designer, I am on a mission to blend the worlds of patient-centered care and user-centered digital innovation to create seamless and empowering experiences for people of all levels of ability.
My journey has been anything but conventional. As a Jill-of-many-trades in roles ranging from healthcare provider to organizational leader, I've learned firsthand the power of empathy, adaptability, and problem-solving in facilitating positive change in people's lives. In the realm of physical therapy, we often say that pain is an invitation to change, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the iterative nature of UX design. Just as in physical therapy, where we must identify and eliminate points of failure to optimize patient care, in UX design, we strive to pinpoint pain points and iterate to improve the user experience.
The parallels between my experiences in physical therapy and UX design are striking. Both require a keen eye for detail, an understanding of human behavior, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Just as in physical therapy, where a small adjustment in the environment can make a world of difference, in UX design, subtle tweaks in typography, layout, or contrast can transform the user experience.
But perhaps the most important similarity is our shared commitment to empathy and anticipation of needs. In both fields, we strive to avoid cognitive overload and provide the most task-specific and user-centered approach to problem-solving. Whether it's gaining buy-in from patients or stakeholders, the key lies in understanding their needs and motivations to deliver truly impactful solutions.
I'm passionate about harnessing the power of diverse ideas and perspectives to drive innovation and create magic in the digital world. Let's collaborate and harness the power of empathy and anticipation to build solutions that inspire, empower, and delight. I will leave you with this quote, and maybe when we meet, you can share a favorite of yours!
"Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others." -Helen Keller
But wait - what do I do besides empathize and create solutions? You might find me loving on my cat Bindi, planning a monthly charity event for Worthy of Love, or taking pictures of the tiniest little critters on a hike somewhere in Texas!
