Thinking Outside the Box 2008:
Re-Design Our Health Care System!

August 6-11, 2008 at the Gesundheit Institute in West Virginia

Group at the Gesundheit Institute

Group photo at the Gesundheit Institute, Summer 2007

This five day conference is for those people, like ourselves, who feel that the current medical system is undesirable, and who want time, tools, and new ideas to figure out "what next?" Health Care Design Intensive PosterAnyone with a stake in health care is welcome to participate.

The aim of this working conference is to seed designs of a variety of local projects that move health care away from the corporate-business context into models of compassion and service. Along with speaker presentations, there will be teaching session and small work groups.

The conference takes place at the Gesundheit Institute's 320 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains with mountain trails, waterfalls, extensive gardens, and large pond. The schedule is designed so that participants can take advantage of the setting. Thus the five days are both a 'retreat' and a 'forward': we'll re-charge our batteries in nature and in play, then move forward on our designs of desirable health care systems.

Read responses to the 2007 intensive »

Application Process

There are two stages to the application process.

First, apply by responding to the questions written below. We will read your responses, and then let you know if your application is accepted.

Second, when your application is accepted, please make a $200 non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot in the intensive. We accept checks written to "School for Designing a Society", mailed to the below address:

     School for Designing a Society
     122 Franklin Street
     Urbana, IL 61801

Registration will be considered complete only when we have received your application responses and the deposit.

As only 20 participants will be accepted, we recommend applying as early as possible.

  1. Application Questions:
    In 500 words or less, please tell us:
    • Who are you? How do we contact you? (hard mail and e mail address, telephone number)
    • Why are you interested in attending the intensive?
    • What do you do? What would you DESIRE to do?
    • Which roadblocks that prevent you from doing what you desire would you LIKE to tackle?
  2. Use the form below, email healthintensive@yahoo.com, or phone 217-344-1439.