Using gamification to improve a child’s hospital stay.

I led the strategy and creative direction for a pediatric engagement game designed to make CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital feel less intimidating for young patients. The idea was simple: give kids back a sense of choice and control by turning the hospital environment into something they could explore, understand, and play with on their own terms.

Working across design, 3D, UX, and development, we built a custom Unity experience centered around a customizable virtual therapy dog inspired by the hospital’s own “puppyatrics” program. Players explore a colorful world inspired by real hospital landmarks, discover collectibles, complete mini-games, and interact with familiar places they may encounter during their stay. Accessibility was considered throughout, with simple controls and adjustable settings designed around different patient needs.

I also helped shape the experience as more than a one-off game. We designed a scalable platform with saved progress, analytics, and a foundation for future environments, educational activities, and mini-games—giving CHRISTUS an experience that could continue evolving alongside its pediatric care program.