By AAH 2015 President, Tatiana Guimaraes, Assoc. AIA

This is a very special year for us...in 2015 we are celebrating 70 years!!! We were founded in 1945 by 13 members. It is amazing to see how much our Association has grown and evolved through all the decades. Most of all, thanks for your dedication to this profession, your commitment to AAH and the leadership we've had through the years. The time and effort devoted has helped to to develop initiatives to further develop and engage our members and our line of work.

We have to celebrate our history! Join us for a night of friendships, networking and stories on Sunday, November 15th at our AAH Update at 7pm at the HCD conference in DC!

By Frank Pitts, FAIA, FACHA, OAA

I was Treasurer, President-elect, President and Past-President of the Academy during the years 1999-2002, a particularly turbulent time in the history of the American Institute of Architects. The Institute was losing money and had gotten into an awful financial condition. I made the decision to continue to work on improving the circumstance for the individual Professional Interest Areas (as they were known then) shortly after serving as President of the Academy. I was elected to serve on the Professional Interest Area (PIA) Executive Committee and served there with a mix of AIA Board Members and representatives of the PIA’s/Knowledge Communities (KCs).

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Conferences/Events

By Chair, Joan L. Suchomel, AIA

National Conferences
Summer Leadership Summit

The Summer Leadership Summit, co-presented by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health and the American College of Healthcare Architects, was a smashing success!  Held July 17-18 at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, the conference’s theme was “The Role of Innovation in Healthcare.”

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Design Awards

By Chair, Tushar Gupta, AIA

The 2015 Healthcare Design Awards were presented at the Summer Leadership Summit in Chicago this summer. Please view a full list of the recipients.

Regional Initiatives

By Chair, Helen Darby Byce, AIA
By Board Liaison, Tom Clark, FAIA, EDAC

The Regional Initiatives Committee is continuing efforts to connect with the healthcare-architectural community - identifying activities and confirming regional leadership to continue advancing education and advocacy on behalf of the Academy. 

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Research

By Chair, Ron Smith, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP
By Board Liaison, Tom Clark, FAIA, EDAC

Research Forum at HCD.15
The committee will lead the Academy Forum on Research at HCD.15 in November. "A Practitioner's Foray into Research: A Case Study and Lessons Learned."

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Codes and Standards

By Chair, Chad E. Beebe, AIA, SASHE

FGI Guidelines Adoption
With the publication of the 2014 edition of the FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities and the 2014 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities several states have adopted the Guidelines. ASHE has provided a detailed map of adoption status for hospitals which shows only a few states have adopted the most recent edition. The Academy would like to see more states adopt the current edition and has been discussing the concerns with state authorities.

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2015 Healthcare Design (HCD): Expo & Conference

Taking place November 14-17 in Washington, DC, this is the premier event devoted to how the design of responsibly built environments directly impacts the safety, operation, clinical outcomes, and financial success of healthcare facilities now and into the future. Earn up to 23 continuing education credits.

Don't forget about some AIA/AAH events at HCD which include, but aren't limited to:

• AAH Update and Reception: November 15 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Gaylord National, Room Potomac 5&6. Network with your peers and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the AAH! Let us know you're coming, register today!
• AAH Forums: November 15. This series addresses critical topical themes related to major issues and trends in health facility design and is brought to you by the AIA AAH thought leaders in the industry.
• AAH Student Design Charrette and Presentation: November 13: 9:00am-7:30pm | November 14: 9:00am-5:00pm | November 15: 8:00am-5:00pm. This exciting annual event is designed to highlight the brilliance and innovation of our future healthcare architects. Students from several area universities will bring their creativity and ideas to this fun and evocative design challenge. Presentation of the three-day-long charrette will be given and critiqued during a special presentation on Monday, November 16, from 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
• AAH Tuttle Fellowship Presentation: November 16 from 2:00-3:00pm. Awarded annually, this session is your opportunity to hear about the inspiring and innovative work done by architecture students as they increase their awareness of the special requirements and nature of healthcare facilities and advanced knowledge of planning and design for healthcare environments.

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Architecture for Health Lecture Series

Toward Improved Health and Health Facility Design in Africa Designers, healthcare administrators and thought leaders from Africa, France, Belgium, and the United States will discuss health facility design and environmental health issues in Africa during the fall 2015 Architecture-For-Health Lecture Series at the Texas A&M College of Architecture. The lectures open to the public; will take place on most Fridays during the fall 2015 semester at 11:30 a.m. in Langford C105. Read more »

Knowledge Community Webinars

Redefining the Rules: A Deep Energy Retrofit Presentation for Architects & Facility Managers Thursday, November 5, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:15pm ET | Earn 1.25 AIA LUs Sponsored by AIA Corporate Architects and Facility Management Registration fees: Free Read more »

2016 PDC Summit: Registration Now Open

March 20-23, 2016 | San Diego, CA In today’s rapidly shifting health care landscape, it is more important than ever to understand and anticipate the field’s top challenges. Register to attend the PDC Summit to collaborate with one another and learn how to target health facility planning, design, and construction professionals. Read more »