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The Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) provides knowledge which supports the design of healthy environments by creating education and networking opportunities for members of – and those touched by – the health care architectural profession.

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AAH Partner highlight: Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design

By Maggie Brown posted 06-21-2019 08:35 AM

  

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Interactive team exercise at the Healthcare Design Expo + Conference Pre-Conference Workshop, hosted by NIHD. Image: NIHD


AAH Partner highlight: Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design

By Kay Rademacher, RN, MSA, NEA-BC, EDAC



The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD) is a diverse member organization, founded in 2005 by two nurses, Debbie Gregory, DNP, RN and Laura Buchanan, RN, BSN, MBA, who questioned whether the clinical voice was being integrated into healthcare design. NIHD started gaining momentum as more and more nurses realized the value and necessity for the inclusion of clinicians during the entire design process of their new healthcare facilities.  As a result, NIHD incorporated in 2010 as a nonprofit organization and boasts a membership today of 133 regular and 11 student members. 

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AIA/AAH members network at the annual NIHD Reception at Healthcare Design Expo + Conference. Image: NIHD


The NIHD mission and vision continues to drive our goals and initiatives that ensure clinical expertise is integrated in the design of healthcare environments. Through our three tenants of leadership, education, and advocacy we are constantly reminded of our vision in shaping the future of healthcare environments. For the healthcare design industry, NIHD is the perfect resource.  We do this in a variety of ways creating formal partnerships within the industry, with professional organizations and academic institutions.

Many nurses and professional clinicians found their way into healthcare design by working on their hospital facility project.  Most of the time they were identified by leadership as someone who was an outstanding caregiver and had keen organization skills. But where did they go to talk through a new workflow process, the best piece of equipment that was going to be purchased or best practice on helping the organization move into the building? Today, NIHD members have the advantage of networking with one another on these very same topics through our community forum or one-on-one contact through the members-only directory on the NIHD website. Our members are also able to access webinars and participate in planning educational offerings through our partnership with the annual Healthcare Design Expo + Conference.

Like most member organizations, NIHD has short and long-term goals.  We have grown the membership over the years and continue to assess the value and benefits of being a member.  One of our greatest challenges is creating new initiatives and programs while retaining and growing our member base. Yet our members tell us the greatest benefit of being an NIHD member is the ability to network with other nurses and interprofessional partners. Looking forward, NIHD has begun working on strategies to showcase clinical expertise in healthcare design.  Newly launched in 2018 was the NIHD Fellow Program.  Through an application process and review, accepted candidates may use the appellation NIHD Fellow to display and acknowledge a level of expertise in healthcare design. We hope to grow the program with the honor and distinction not only to our members but to the industry.

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2018 AIA/AAH PDC Student Challenge Image: NIHD


We also continue to grow our professional partnerships, including our collaboration with the Academy of Architecture for Health. In 2017 and 2018, NIHD was proud to sponsor the addition of a nursing student to each team at the annual AIA/AAH PDC Student Challenge. The outcomes were tremendously positive, and NIHD plans to continue this sponsorship in the future.

We look forward to our continued partnership with AIA/AAH!





Kay Rademacher is the President of the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design. Having more than two decades of experience in health facility activation, Kay focuses on workflow improvement, project activation, and transition planning. She held leadership positions in nursing and hospital operations. She is board certified Nurse Executive, Advanced by the American Nurses Credential Center and a member of the Center for Healthcare Design.


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Mission: To engage and integrate clinical expertise into the planning and design of healthcare environments.

Vision: Shaping the future of healthcare environments through clinical and inter-professional leadership.

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