Dr Evelyn Chan is the CEO and co-founder of Smileyscope. The company's medical technology digital headset changes potentially stressful environments such as hospitals and clinics, to relaxing and beautiful virtual locations, like underwater worlds full of colourful fish. Real-world sensations are reframed in the virtual reality world in a supportive and engaging way, improving healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients and clinicians alike.
How did Smileyscope come about?
As a doctor, I saw how painful and frightening procedures could be—and I was frustrated by the lack of tools to help. I knew we could do better, by reimagining both the physical and psychological experience of care.
That’s why I founded Smileyscope: to transform fear into comfort through immersive, evidence-based virtual reality. Together with a world-class team, we built the first VR solution designed specifically for clinical use—simple to use, deeply compassionate, and proven to improve the patient experience.
What is your “why”?
I got into medicine to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Today, that mission continues, at the intersection of art and science, compassion and innovation, data and design. I believe the most powerful healthcare solutions are those that blend humanity with technology.
Smileyscope is more than a product. It’s a movement to reimagine care, reduce trauma, and elevate the patient experience.
What could Smileyscope achieve in the future?
Our vision is to become the new standard of care in patient-facing care, using immersive technology to optimise brain health and modulate emotions like fear, pain, and anxiety.
From children’s hospitals, to women's health, to cancer centers, we imagine a future where patients feel empowered, not afraid. Where healing is holistic and technology enhances empathy.
We’re just getting started—and with innovation, partnership, and purpose, Smileyscope is poised to reshape how the world experiences healthcare.
Watch more about their real world impact here