--- title: "“Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo | Sutter Health" description: "Sutter has designed a new app called MediConnect®, co-developed by Sutter and AstraZeneca, Inc." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient Stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) / 3. “Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo # “Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo * * * 2023 Many people with cancer know well the challenges of taking the right chemotherapy medicine at the right time. “I take pills for several different chemo drugs to treat my breast cancer, and all have varying instructions for proper use. Some days it’s like finishing a jigsaw puzzle to get things just right! So, it’s very important to have tools at my fingertips that help me easily engage in my treatment plan,” says Anne Nilon, a 60-year-old Martinez, Calif. resident. Nilon is a Sutter Health patient who participated in an early pilot of a mobile app developed to help people better take chemo drugs. As a result of that pilot, Sutter has designed a new app called MediConnect®, co-developed by Sutter and AstraZeneca, Inc. which will be formally piloted this winter. ![Portrait of Dr. Rajesh Behl](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/1c5rp7v8Jfx0lRfnQhdNjJ74vY8O7MkGd0z7ZQ1YYUE/300x300.jpg) Dr. Rajesh Behl is medical director of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center “It’s like a savvy Siri, custom-made for cancer patients to help them simplify complex chemo regimens in ways that increase the likelihood of medication effectiveness and decrease the chance of side effects from improper chemo use,” says Dr. Rajesh Behl, Sutter hematology malignancy specialist, medical director of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center and physician lead for the development of MediConnect®. Dr. Behl says the app’s dual interface also makes it easier for cancer doctors at Sutter to monitor patients to see how often and how well they take prescribed oral cancer chemo drugs in order to help them stay on track. ## ****Innovation for New Digital Health Technologies**** MediConnect® is just one example of the mobile apps and digital platforms made possible by a new partnership between scientists at Sutter’s Center for Health Systems Research and the integrated health system’s digital team. “Patients are at the heart of what we do daily through Sutter’s unified digital strategy to provide a connected, convenient and high-quality care experience,” says Chris Waugh, Sutter’s chief design and innovation officer. “By joining forces with Sutter’s CHSR team, we’re adding powerful new ways to design, test, launch and continually improve digital technologies for our patients and communities.” J.B. Jones, Ph.D., director of CHSR and its digital research program adds, “From bench to bedside and beyond, research at Sutter ushers in discoveries to help detect, treat and manage common illnesses. We’re excited to ‘tag-team’ science and digital innovations that will bring easier and more seamless care to Sutter patients, when and where they need it.” For patients like Nilon, this means a better chance to beat breast cancer. “Living with cancer can be hard,” she says. “Using an app will help make it easier, with a lower likelihood of missed or incorrect doses of my cancer chemo medications.” ## Discover similar stories Choose a service topic below to read more stories like this one. [Cancer services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories?verticalKey=patient_story&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_services.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Cancer+services%22%5D%7D%5D) ## Cancer Care That Goes Further Our compassionate oncology teams are here to support you while providing innovative, evidence-based treatment. [Request a Referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Related articles [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) - Patient story ### [Finding Support and Perspective Despite Cancer Diagnosis](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/finding-support-and-perspective-despite-cancer-diagnosis-2028798542) When Lynn Anderson went in for her routine mammogram, she expected it to be quick and uneventful. Instead, it saved her life. - Patient story ### [Language Bonds Doctor & Patient, Lays Ground for Hybrid Care Plan](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/language-bonds-doctor-patient-lays-ground-for-hybrid-care-plan-2023563881) Patient Helen Laffin and gynecologic oncologist Dr. Amanda Shepherd-Littlejohn bonded by speaking Portuguese. - Patient story ### [Navigating Lung Cancer With Heart](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/navigating-lung-cancer-with-heart-2033728994) Calli Keller's patient navigator's emotional support made all the difference during her lung cancer treatment. [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Disclaimer _Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice._ ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient Stories","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"“Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896#article","name":"“Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo","headline":"“Like a Savvy Siri”: App Helps People Manage Chemo","abstract":"Sutter has designed a new app called MediConnect®, co-developed by Sutter and AstraZeneca, Inc.","description":"Sutter has designed a new app called MediConnect®, co-developed by Sutter and AstraZeneca, Inc.","keywords":["Cancer services"],"datePublished":"2023-10-25","dateModified":"2026-01-22","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/like-a-savvy-siri-app-helps-people-manage-chemo-2023563896#breadcrumblist"}},"author":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/tNYC5V3wlT2lzqwkNeUIvnpaP7omYXRb0j47EhLuTQc/fit=crop,gravity=auto,width=1200,height=630"},"articleBody":"Many people with cancer know well the challenges of taking the right chemotherapy medicine at the right time. “I take pills for several different chemo drugs to treat my breast cancer, and all have varying instructions for proper use. Some days it’s like finishing a jigsaw puzzle to get things just right! So, it’s very important to have tools at my fingertips that help me easily engage in my treatment plan,” says Anne Nilon, a 60-year-old Martinez, Calif. resident. Nilon is a Sutter Health patient who participated in an early pilot of a mobile app developed to help people better take chemo drugs. As a result of that pilot, Sutter has designed a new app called MediConnect®, co-developed by Sutter and AstraZeneca, Inc. which will be formally piloted this winter. Dr. Rajesh Behl is medical director of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center “It’s like a savvy Siri, custom-made for cancer patients to help them simplify complex chemo regimens in ways that increase the likelihood of medication effectiveness and decrease the chance of side effects from improper chemo use,” says Dr. Rajesh Behl, Sutter hematology malignancy specialist, medical director of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center and physician lead for the development of MediConnect®. Dr. Behl says the app’s dual interface also makes it easier for cancer doctors at Sutter to monitor patients to see how often and how well they take prescribed oral cancer chemo drugs in order to help them stay on track. Innovation for New Digital Health Technologies MediConnect® is just one example of the mobile apps and digital platforms made possible by a new partnership between scientists at Sutter’s Center for Health Systems Research and the integrated health system’s digital team. “Patients are at the heart of what we do daily through Sutter’s unified digital strategy to provide a connected, convenient and high-quality care experience,” says Chris Waugh, Sutter’s chief design and innovation officer. “By joining forces with Sutter’s CHSR team, we’re adding powerful new ways to design, test, launch and continually improve digital technologies for our patients and communities.” J.B. Jones, Ph.D., director of CHSR and its digital research program adds, “From bench to bedside and beyond, research at Sutter ushers in discoveries to help detect, treat and manage common illnesses. We’re excited to ‘tag-team’ science and digital innovations that will bring easier and more seamless care to Sutter patients, when and where they need it.” For patients like Nilon, this means a better chance to beat breast cancer. “Living with cancer can be hard,” she says. “Using an app will help make it easier, with a lower likelihood of missed or incorrect doses of my cancer chemo medications.”","mentions":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rajesh Behl, M.D."}]} ```