Open Source Stories: Healthcare Made Human

Common Connections

Healthcare Made Human

Until five years ago, Tom Delbanco and Jan Walker didn’t know Liz Salmi. But all three shared a common cause: giving patients access to more information about their health. Now, they’re peers, and U.S. federal law has helped make their vision a reality. What’s next? Find out in this conversation.

The Open Patient

Our 2016 short film showed what happens when open source empowers people to take control of their healthcare. It also introduced Liz to Tom and Jan, launching a partnership for transparency that continues today.

Watch the film

Liz Salmi

Senior Strategist of Research Dissemination
OpenNotes

At 29, Liz was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She open sourced her cancer journey, blogging about her symptoms, her recovery, and her quest to understand the records in her healthcare provider’s online portal. That experience led to her role at OpenNotes.

Dr. Tom Delbanco

Co-Founder
OpenNotes

Tom is the John F. Keane & Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In 2010, he co-founded OpenNotes to advocate for greater openness in medical records. The organization’s research shows how transparency improves outcomes and creates trust in healthcare.

Jan Walker

Co-Founder
OpenNotes

Jan, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is a nurse by training. Her research focuses on patients’ perspectives on hospital care and their experiences with electronic medical technologies.