Print 
Share 
Text 
To reset, hold the Ctrl key, then press 0.
Jennifer Shamess, former patient and member of the Cancer Care Patient and Family Advisory Council, tested out the virtual reality equipment
Imagine looking out onto a mountain vista. You hear the birds chirping, you see the sun beaming down on the mountain range, and you watch as butterflies float by. It doesn’t sound like a typical chemotherapy or radiation treatment, does it?
With help from virtual reality (VR), patients undergoing cancer treatment at The Ottawa Hospital could soon take a virtual getaway from their hospital beds.
That’s good news for Jennifer Shamess, former patient and member of the Cancer Care Patient and Family Advisory Council. She said that when she was at the hospital, she was always dreaming of being somewhere else.
“With virtual reality, I would have had some help in escaping for a few minutes,” said Jennifer.
Dr. Justin Sutherland, a medical physicist at The Ottawa Hospital and professor in the Department of Radiology at The University of Ottawa, said that virtual reality can be an effective tool for cancer patients.
“It’s all about taking patients out of a potentially uncomfortable experience, and bringing them somewhere pleasant,” said Dr. Sutherland. “It tricks your brain into thinking you’re there, which can improve one’s mental health.”
Engineering students at The University of Ottawa teamed up with The Ottawa Hospital to design a simulation that cancer patients could experience during treatment. Students worked together in groups as part of the Makerspace VR Challenge.
“I was impressed with every design”
The students consulted with Jennifer and other Patient and Family Advisors. Advisors made design suggestions such as avoiding fast motions, bright colours and loud noises.
Each group delivered a unique virtual experience. The winning design, created by second year students, was a boat ride. Patients could customize certain features such as colour, movement and length of the ride to create a unique experience. Other designs featured studio meditations, hiking up a mountain, or floating in space.
“I was impressed with every design,” said Jennifer. “Each group carefully listened to the considerations that were important to us, and then tried to integrate them into a unique VR experience.” Patients aren’t the only ones who could benefit from VR. Soon, cancer patients and their families may be able to share the same immersive experience together.
Support patient care and research at
The Ottawa Hospital
You might also like…
Reimagining hospital food: How The Ottawa Hospital is transforming the patient mealtime experience
In 2024, we launched the trial phase of our Patient Food Transformation Project. The goal was to see if it is possible to improve the overall nutrition and quality of food we serve to our patients, while increasing bedside hospitality, enhancing the overall sustainability of our food services, and not increasing operational costs. Our trial wrapped in 2025 with very promising results.
Dr. John Bell and Stephen Beckta inducted into the Order of Canada
The Ottawa Hospital is proud to share that on December 31, 2025, two members of our team were inducted into the Order of Canada. Congratulations Dr. John Bell and Stephen Beckta.
Living with chronic pain? This online tool offers help — and hope
The Power Over Pain Portal is a free virtual resource hub designed to help empower youth and adults living with chronic pain through education and peer support.
New program fills gap in care for teens and young adults with cancer
For young people, a cancer diagnosis can disrupt their education, careers, relationships and family-building goals. Our Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program supports AYAs on their cancer journey, complementing the care provided by their care team.
From survivor to supporter: Peer volunteers bring hope to patients recovering from stroke
Drawing on their own lived experiences as stroke survivors or caregivers, volunteers with March of Dimes Canada’s After Stroke Hospital Peer Connections program offer emotional support to those just beginning their recovery journey. Discover the difference they’re making and learn about how you can request support for a loved one — or become a beacon of hope yourself.
“My story doesn’t have to be your story”: New screening test better at preventing cervical cancer
“I went from being a 32-year-old new mom to a cancer patient with an incurable diagnosis.” Alicia’s journey underscores the critical role of HPV testing in preventing cervical cancer. Discover how the new HPV test can save lives and find out how to book your cervical screening appointment with our “Superscreener.”