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"The mission of the Academy of Architecture for Health is to improve both the quality of healthcare design and the design of healthy communities by developing, documenting, and disseminating knowledge; educating design practitioners and other related constituencies; advancing the practice of architecture; and affiliating and advocating with others that share these priorities."


FROM THE ACADEMY

Message from the Outgoing President

December 14, 2011 - Academy Update - End of Year Message from the President

Thanks to my fellow AAH Board members, committee chairs, and more than 100 active committee members who have worked to make this a successful year for all of us. As an all-volunteer professional organization of over 6,000 members, it is all of you who make the Academy an important voice in the healthcare industry.

Two years ago Ken Kaufman speaking to our AAH Summer Leadership Summit told us, "you've perfected the hospital that we can no longer afford". And this past summer we heard from several industry experts that the key words going forward will be "better, faster, cheaper".

Our challenge in this time of change, is to not simply react and shift to move in a new and "leaner" direction, but to do so holding onto the core essence of what we've learned so far about Safe, Efficient and Healing environments, and connect design with the hard realities of cost and performance - to use what we've learned about the environment, about what works and why it works. We have a growing body of knowledge based on research - that provides solid ground upon which we can stand while reaching for the next innovative design solution.

Innovation is needed, in finding ways to make existing facilities work better, and to design new ones to work differently - innovation that is based on a deep knowledge of clinical care delivery, codes & standards, the effects of the environment on health and healing, and the business of healthcare. Our 2011 AIA National Healthcare Design Awards recognized three projects that demonstrate this knowledge and exemplify great design (View 2011 Award Recipients) please be sure to look at these carefully. You'll also find them in the back of your November issue of Healthcare Design Magazine.

Healthcare futurist Joe Flower noted recently that with the industry in its current state of flux, the normal barriers to innovation are breaking down - "The resistance to experiment… is evaporating" - and there is a unique but temporary window of opportunity to effect real change. We all believe that DESIGN can make a difference, and that DESIGN is part of the creative solution to the challenges facing healthcare. As Healthcare Architects we have an opportunity - and a responsibility - to step up and play a pro-active role.

So as 2011 comes to a close, we are at a threshold of a new year - and a new era of opportunity to make a real difference.

Best wishes for a Joyous Christmas season and a great New Year!

Ron Smith,
President of the AIA Academy Architecture for Health


GET INVOLVED

Academy Journal Call for Papers
You are invited to submit articles, innovative project case studies, completed research projects, and monographs in the field of healthcare design. Articles should be timely; preview new trends; and address industry wide topics, issues of relevance, and emerging technology in the healthcare system.

The Academy of Architecture for Health is an interactive and multidisciplinary organization. Submissions selected for publication will reflect the diversity of its programs, the specialized commitments of its membership, and the quality of composition befitting a learned journal that is accessed and read worldwide.

Submission Deadline: May 30, 2012. Submission Criteria | Journal Archives


SAVE THE DATE

AIA 2012 Convention | May 17-19, 2012 | Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Washington, DC

Design & Health 8th World Congress | June 27 - July 1, 2012 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

HCD.11 | November 3-6, 2012 | Phoenix Convention Center | Phoenix, AZ


Thanks for a Great Year!
Did you know anyone can join AIA/AAH for free? Sign-up on AIA KnowledgeNet and view the 2011 AAH webinars on-demand on the YouTube playlist.

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