Occupational Therapist turned UX Designer
Haya Karim
Designing experiences rooted in empathy, accessibility, and human understanding.
My Approach
I believe the best digital experiences start with understanding people — their needs, limitations, and aspirations.
My journey began in occupational therapy, where I spent years working directly with patients navigating physical and cognitive challenges. That experience gave me a profound understanding of human behavior, accessibility needs, and the power of thoughtful, empathetic problem-solving.
Now, I channel those same skills into UX design — conducting rigorous user research, championing accessibility from the start, and making evidence-based design decisions. The transition from clinical care to digital design isn't a leap — it's a natural evolution of putting people first.
Empathy-Driven Design
Years of working directly with patients taught me to listen deeply, observe behavior, and design solutions that truly serve the people using them.
Accessibility First
Occupational therapy is rooted in making the world accessible. I bring that same commitment to every digital experience I design.
Evidence-Based Thinking
Clinical practice demands rigorous research and measurable outcomes — the same discipline I apply to user research and design decisions.
Skills & Competencies
Where Care Meets Craft
Clinical & Research
Design & Digital
Transferable skills that unite both worlds
Journey
Experience & Education
2025 — Present
UX Design Fellow
Placeholder Design Program · Remote
Completing an intensive UX design fellowship, working on real-world projects that bridge healthcare and technology. Applying clinical insights to create accessible, user-centered digital products.
2022 — 2025
Occupational Therapist
Placeholder Medical Center · New York, NY
Provided patient-centered rehabilitation services, developed individualized treatment plans, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams. Gained deep understanding of accessibility needs and human behavior patterns.
2021 — 2022
OT Clinical Intern
Placeholder Rehabilitation Clinic · Brooklyn, NY
Conducted patient assessments, implemented evidence-based interventions, and documented clinical outcomes. Developed strong observational and analytical skills.
2019 — 2021
M.S. Occupational Therapy
Placeholder University · New York, NY
Graduate studies focused on rehabilitation science, human anatomy, and therapeutic intervention. Capstone research on technology-assisted rehabilitation.
2015 — 2019
B.S. Health Sciences
Placeholder University · New York, NY
Undergraduate studies in health sciences with a focus on human biology, psychology, and public health fundamentals.
Work
Selected Projects
UX Researcher & Designer
HealthBridge: Patient Portal Redesign
Redesigned a patient portal to improve accessibility for elderly users, informed by clinical experience working directly with patients who struggled with existing digital health tools. Conducted user interviews, created personas, and delivered a fully prototyped solution that reduced task completion time by 40%.
UX/UI Designer
MindfulMove: Wellness App Concept
Designed a mobile app helping occupational therapy patients track rehabilitation exercises and progress. Combined clinical knowledge of therapeutic exercises with intuitive mobile interaction patterns to create an engaging, supportive experience.
UX Designer
CareConnect: Therapist Dashboard
Created a dashboard streamlining therapist workflows — from patient scheduling to progress tracking. Identified pain points through contextual inquiry with practicing therapists and designed a system that reduced administrative overhead.
Connect
Let's create something meaningful together.
Whether you're looking for a UX designer who understands the human side of technology, or want to chat about the intersection of healthcare and design — I'd love to hear from you.
© 2026 Haya Karim. All rights reserved.