AAH Editor's Corner
By Kimberly Montague, AIA
It seems like it was just yesterday when we all met in New Orleans for Healthcare Design Conference and Expo. With December upon us, and the holidays right around the corner, it seems a good time to reflect, remember and give thanks.
Reflecting on those short few days, there were exemplary keynotes; invigorating networking opportunities; and conference sessions available to us, it can be overwhelming at times. Add in the sheer number of exhibitors at the Expo, and one barely has time to sleep! One particular highlight, the NextGen Summit was a smashing success. You can read more about it here. The quality of AIA-AAH Forums and educational sessions was top-notch, and the Steris-sponsored student charette gave us a sneak peek into the future of our profession. (spoiler alert: super stars are on the horizon!) If you missed the conference this year, put this on your agenda for next year. We’ll be in Nashville, celebrating 75 years, and the wheels are in motion for a not-to-be missed event!
It’s important to remember and reflect on the importance of each of healthcare pillars that provide the AAH with a solid foundation for simultaneous sustainability and growth: American College of Healthcare Architects commitment to practice excellence; The AAH Foundation and its support of research endeavors; and Facilities Guidelines Institute, who consistently asks for the Academy members input and insight on codes and regulations affecting our practice. Our other partners, such as the Center for Health Design, and the co-sponsored knowledge repository; Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design, Planetree and many others who also dedicate their time, attention and expertise toward design excellence in all health environments. It is through these partnerships that we all thrive and exceed our clients’ expectations toward healing environments for patients, families and staff members.
Lastly, I wanted to personally give thanks to all of you, our dedicated, knowledge and passionate healthcare architects. It is because of each of you and your dedication to improving health environments for patients, families and staff that our clients are beginning to see the changes necessary and improvements desired in each and every project.
Have a safe, happy holiday season—and cheers to good health in 2020!
Kimberly Montague, AIA
AAH Communications Committee Chair