The Patient Innovation Lab (PIL) is a cross-institutional initiative at Dartmouth that brings together patients, clinicians, engineers, and business leaders to co-design and develop health technology solutions. The lab is grounded in the belief that the people most affected by health challenges are also the most valuable partners in solving them.

What We're Building

• Training Resources — Guidance on how to do community-engaged research well, in partnership with Karen Fortuna's Patient-Community-Scientist Training Institute and Partnership Academy (partnership-academy.org).
• Patient Partner Repository — A growing network of over 1,500 individuals available to partner on research projects.
• Patient Sign-Up Portal — A way for patients to join research as active partners.
• Patient Pitch Program — A simple mechanism for patients to share or pitch research ideas directly.
• Innovation Accelerator — A hackathon-style program in partnership with the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship.
• QPCOR Engagement Measure — Information and resources around our validated patient engagement measure (qpcor.org).
• AI-Powered Engagement Alignment Tool — An AI tool where users can input demographics and settings to receive recommendations for the optimal community engagement approach, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Technology Philosophy

We embrace the full spectrum of technology — from reverse innovation (e.g., telephonic interventions developed with underserved communities) to cutting-edge AI — always keeping solutions practical, patient-centered, and inclusive.

Strategic Vision

The PIL is positioned to become Dartmouth's go-to hub for patient-partnered innovation, with administrative roots at CFMed and engineering collaboration through Thayer. We are building partnerships with Tuck School of Business and Geisel School of Medicine to create a truly interdisciplinary initiative. Looking ahead, we aim to apply for Center-level grant funding and launch a course on participatory human-centered design.

Karen Fortuna, Dr. Leininger (Tuck School of Business), CFMed, DH Communications, Dartmouth Health