EmpathyRx Lab for Healthcare

Cultivating Person-Centered Care through Transdisciplinary Research and Education

The Healthcare EmpathyRx Lab conducts transdisciplinary research to develop healthcare education interventions that sustain empathy, cultural awareness, and health-related literacy challenges within health professions and across the health education and professional development journey. We blend insights from neuroeducation, the art and science of nursing and medical education with innovative technologies to enhance healthcare practice. Supported by SDSU’s VITaL Research Center, we aim to nurture a more compassionate and competent healthcare future for all.

DNA Helix

Our DNA

The EmpathyRx Lab’s DNA embodies transdisciplinary research and entrepreneurial vigor, transcending disciplinary boundaries and bringing together diverse academic and industry perspectives to tackle declining empathy in healthcare education and practice.
Nursing Team

Our Team

The EmpathyRx Lab brings together a diverse team of researchers, educators, practitioners, and industry mentors who together support the development of quality empathetic healthcare using a transdisciplinary approach.
Projects

Our Projects

Our current projects support quality nursing education through immersive technology simulations and evidence-based interventions, enhancing health-related literacy, and fostering patient-centered care driven by empathy and human connection.

NSF I-Corps Award, Fall 2024

Dr. Keckler's team receives the 2024 NSF I-Corps Award to explore the translation potential of virtual reality simulation technology to enhance empathic concern and compassionate care among medical students and healthcare professionals.

Maria Keckler
Co-Founder and Research Fellow

Maria Keckler Ph.D.

Dr. Maria Keckler is a faculty research fellow with SDSU’s Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL) Research Center. Her neuroeducation doctoral research and transdisciplinary approach to developing micro-learning interventions inspired the EmpathyRx Lab project. She also leads strategy, communications, and international engagement initiatives for SDSU International Affairs. With nearly two decades of entrepreneurial and strategic communications expertise, Dr. Keckler has been instrumental in helping healthcare and life sciences organizations nurture stronger communicators and leaders. 
Shiloh Williams
Co-Founder and Research Fellow

Shiloh Williams, Ph.D.

Dr. Williams is an Assistant Professor at SDSU School of Nursing, co-founder of the EmpathyRx Lab, and faculty research fellow with SDSU’s Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL) Research Center. She has extensive experience in healthcare administration, literacy, and operations and has expertise in creating and implementing healthcare provider education and professional development curricula. Her research aims to improve health literacy and advance empathy in nursing education and practice.  

Sean Hauze
Co-Founder & Technical Advisor

Sean Hauze, Ph.D.

Dr. Hauze oversees SDSU’s Virtual Immersive Teaching and has been a key partner and technical advisor in facilitating evidence-based research for the EmpathyRx Lab. He has co-authored and presented findings internationally with Dr. Keckler. He also serves as Senior Director of Instructional Technology at San Diego State University. He is a doctoral faculty member in the San Diego State University/Claremont Graduate University joint Ph.D. program in education.

Dominic Tong
Industry Mentor: NSF I-Corps National Program

Dominic Tong M.D.

Dr. Tong is a physician executive with diverse healthcare practice and management experience and senior executive roles in the biopharma, MD&D industry with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies and early-stage life science companies. His recent focus has been consulting or advising for early-stage technology companies in the life sciences and healthcare, occasionally serving as interim medical director or chief medical officer. Since 2018, Dr. Tong has been an adjunct instructor for the MIT, New England Regional Innovation Node NSF I-Corps program and a MIT Venture Mentoring Service mentor. He began supporting the I-Corps site at SDSU/CSU in 2018. 

  • Williams, S. A., Martin, M., Hussey, L. C., Ojeda, M., Carlson, B., & Keckler, M. (2024). Are We Missing the Mark? Understanding Health Literacy in A Rural-Border Hospital. Clinical Nursing Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738231221861

  • Keckler, M. (2023). Empathy Unfolding: A Complexity Neuroeducation Framework for Tracing the Impact of Immersive Storytelling and Transformational Learning on Nursing Education [Embargoed Doctoral Dissertation, Claremont Graduate University].

  • Keckler, M. (2023). Widening the Lens: The Wicked Problem in Healthcare. In L. C. Broca Domínguez (Ed.), I Seminario de Investigación Binacional Oaxaca-San Diego: Un espacio intercultural (pp. 90-103). Universidad La Salle Oaxaca. (Digital Version)

  • Keckler, M., Hoyt, H., Hauze, S., & Frazee, J. (2023, October 11). Empathy Unfolding: Immersive Learning and Neuroeducation Insights through eXtended Reality Simulation. EDUCAUSE. (Presentation Abstract)

  • Keckler, M., Hoyt, H., Hauze, S. & Frazee, J. (2023). Comparing Two-Dimensional Video to Virtual Reality through Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Immersive Learning, Story Interventions, and Qualitative Insights in Nursing Education. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 1019-1028). Vienna, Austria: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). (Digital Version)

Contact

Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Maria Keckler Ph.D.
Co-Founder and Research Fellow
[email protected]

SDSU’s VITaL Research Center

A proud sponsor of the Healthcare EmpathyRx Lab