To the Professionals who make up the Academy of Architecture for Health:
I wanted to greet each of you at the beginning of the New Year and offer my best wishes in the coming year.
There are many challenges that face the Healthcare industry not just in 2014 but for the foreseeable future. Within these challenges there are opportunities. While our overall economy improves, our clients continue to be cautious about spending on capital-intensive inpatient projects. The focus on outpatient facilities, process improvement, physician integration and IT continue to be the primary drivers of healthcare spending. The push for electronic systems implementation is receiving a lot of the dollars that used to be spent on “traditional” design and construction.
The message I hear from colleagues across the country is that the recovery in healthcare design and construction is uneven at best. Hospital mergers will continue to be a large part of the focus of our clients. This activity, they hope, will help reduce their overall costs and increase their purchasing power.
In those concerns and uncertainty there remains the need for help from our community. I believe there is an opportunity to communicate the value of what AAH members can bring to our clients: professional service, inspiration, creativity, technical competence, and leadership.
As an industry, we can demonstrate to our clients the value Healthcare Architects bring to a planning or design engagement. It is no longer only traditional design services that our design practices can provide our clients. There is value in research-informed decision making, LEAN process improvement, a collaborative approach to the project team and improvement in documentation through the use of BIM tools. With these value added efforts, we can help our clients achieve operational efficiency, quality improvements, and ultimately better projects.
Which brings me to the Mission of the Academy of Architecture for Health
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.
To help foster the mission of the AAH, I present my three primary goals for 2014.
1. Collaboration with our Industry Partners
Continue the Collaboration the AAH has with our affiliated industry organizations, and help with new knowledge based initiatives including: ACHA (American College of Healthcare Architects), ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineering and its parent organization — AHA (The American Hospital Association), CHD (Center for Health Design), BRIK (Building Research Information Knowledgebase, AAHF (Academy of Architecture for Health Foundation), FGI (Facility Guidelines Institute), and Vendome.
Of course, one of the most important organizations, to which we all belong and with whom I want to strengthen our relationship with is the Eagle itself: the AIA.
While in the past there have been professional disagreements between the AIA and AAH, the resulting discourse has led to an increased respect and admiration for differing perspectives. Without the AIA’s support over the past few years, the financial hurdles the Academy faced would have been more difficult. The AIA stepped up during a challenging time for the Academy and offered creative assistance to help us through.
At the same time, I have had the privilege of being able to attend the Knowledge Communities Summit meeting the last two years. I was amazed and humbled at the way in which the AAH is held up to the other 22 KC’s as an example of creativity, independence, and forethought. Although the AAH has been the poster child for KC’s others are taking our example and improving themselves and providing new examples for us all to emulate.
As part of our continuing efforts working with the other KC’s to share and create new knowledge, as a matter of practice the AAH will be sending the President, President-Elect and Past President to the annual KC Summit. In this way the AAH will be able provide continuity of thought and shared knowledge with our KC colleagues.
2. Mentorship and Leadership Transition
I am sure many of you have heard Derek Parker’s statement regarding the experience of a healthcare architect. To paraphrase, “A healthcare architect does not get really good until he or she is about 60 years old.”
When I first heard Derek make this remark at the luncheon celebrating his Lifetime Achievement award, I was somewhat defensive and a little incensed. However, I have learned, there is much wisdom in his statement. Who has not heard clients describe meetings where young staff members are thrown into user meetings, only to ask the facilities staff the most obvious of questions? I know most of you and your firms have active mentorship plans in place for training and professional growth. During the coming year, I would like to reinforce the imperative and obligation of more experienced healthcare architects to transfer the knowledge gained in our professional practice to the next generation — it is crucial for our firms and our industry. One way the AAH can help with this transition is through our monthly webinars. Another is attending the ASHE PDC conference in March (Orlando) and the Healthcare Design conference in November (San Diego).
There are several generations of bright and thoughtful architects coming on the heels of the baby boomers. They only need opportunity, encouragement, and experience to carry on the leadership within the AAH. I trust that our industry will look for every opportunity to provide the next leaders of our organizations the chance to learn, grow, and shine.
3. Help AAH members understand the benefits of ACHA certification
Speaking of experience, how many of you know that once you have five years of healthcare design experience, after you have obtained your professional license and worked those five years within a healthcare firm, you can apply for and start the process for obtaining your own certification as a College member?
In the coming year I will work closely with Connie McFarland, the 2014 President of the College, to help develop collaborative efforts for educating fellow healthcare architects on the benefits of ACHA certification.
Becoming a Board certified Healthcare Architect through the College is a natural next step in the recognition of the building type specialization each of you have chosen as Academy members. I encourage you to look into this opportunity for certification as a College member.
AAH Leadership Transitions-2014 AAH Board Members
For the past three years I have had the privilege of serving as the Board Member responsible for Conferences and Events. For 2014 the Board member with this responsibility is Joan Suchamel with SOM. Joan led the SLS planning for 2013 and proved herself most capable. I look forward to working with Joan as she assumes this key position.
Also joining the Board is Chad Beebe. Chad will be directing the Codes and Standards group. Chad works for ASHE as the Advocacy Group member and is also an AHJ.
Continuing his service as the Regional Events Board Chair is David “Daveed” Frum from Clark/Kjos.
Two Board members will be exchanging responsibilities this year. Fernando Rodriguez of HOK will become the Education member. Marc Marchant of LS3P will take over Communication and continue with the Research Board Chairmanship.
Tatiana Guimares of HKS will continue in her role as the Design Awards Chair. For those of you that did not know, Tatiana is the President-Elect of the Academy for 2015.
Orlando Maione will continue in his role as our Chief Operating Officer.
We have two Board members who left their Board service at the end of 2013. Willy Schlein is stepping down from his role as Education Chair. Dan Noble will be stepping aside after five years of capable service as our immediate past President.
And lastly Roger Call will become the Past President. In this role, Roger will be our AAH liaison with the other KC’s in the AIA and oversee our sponsorship activities.
I would like to thank Ray Pentecost- AAH President 2010, Ron Smith- AAH President 2011, Dan Noble- AAH President 2012 and Roger Call- AAH President 2013 for the tremendous example they have set for me to follow.
Finally I would like to thank each of you for the hard work, dedication, and professionalism you provide our clients. The ability to impact the lives of patients and staff in a positive, profound way and contribute to the healing process through the practice of architecture is a most worthy and noble achievement.
I look forward to serving you this year.
Best regards,
Charles H. Griffin, AIA, FACHA, EDAC
2014 President of the Academy of Architects for Health
PS: The Affordable Care Act has and will impact our clients and our practice. Look for a position statement on the ACA from your AAH Board in the coming weeks.
