McGill Computer Scientist Laurie Hendren Dies Days Before Her Patients Empowerment Opal App Wins Prestigious Award
McGill University computer science professor, Laurie Hendren died just days before an app she helped develop, was awarded the 2019 Coup de Coeur at the prestigious Les Prix d’excellence du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux.
After discovering in 2014 she had breast cancer, Laurie realized how difficult it is for patients to access their own medical information.
Together with her radiation oncologist, Dr. Tarek Hijal, they collaborated on the development of an online patient portal called Opal (opalmedapps.com).
The user-friendly app provides patients access to contextualized medical data and personalized educational material, including lab results, medical notes and treatment plans.
Laurie’s wish was that Opal would be available to all patients in Quebec so that all patients who desire it can access their data and play an informed role in their medical care.
Opal Health
Laurie Hendren’s husband, Prakash Panangaden told CBC News, “that his wife was constantly faced with long wait times, unsure when her turn would come. The app will help make the wait time more bearable as the patient won’t be locked into a waiting room chair.”
Laurie Hendren, 60, died on May 27, 2019.
Read More:
– A tribute to Laurie Hendren, co-founder of the Opal project
– MUHC Smartphone App That Puts Power in the Hands of Patients Wins Its Fourth Award – at Les Prix D’Excellence