On the finish of each Healthcare Design Convention + Expo, I’ve the identical thought: “This was our greatest 12 months ever.” The 2022 occasion in San Antonio was no exception, and I’m not alone in my sentiments. Within the days following, I noticed numerous social media posts echoing the identical response.
This 12 months felt additional particular for a lot of causes. Although we have been in a position to collect collectively final 12 months in Cleveland, we have been fewer, and folks have been nonetheless being very cautious. There have been extra fist bumps than hugs, and plenty of buddies and colleagues I noticed solely from the eyes up.
From day certainly one of this 12 months’s convention, the vitality was tangible. Folks have been excited to be collectively to be taught and have a good time our accomplishments as a neighborhood. And have a good time we did.
There was a packed home when A. Ray Pentecost III, director of The Heart for Well being Techniques and Design, was honored with The Heart’s 2022 Changemaker Award. Ray was acknowledged for the worldwide impression he’s had in altering how the structure career, healthcare suppliers, and academia take into consideration design—from a deal with healthcare to a deal with design for well being.
Throughout his inspiring acceptance speech, Ray shared the genesis of his well-known “By no means higher!” greeting when requested how he’s doing. (It comes from a childhood Bible music that helped him perceive he’s doing a bit higher daily than he was the day earlier than.) This was adopted by a fascinating dialog between Ray and two of his long-time colleagues and buddies, William Hercules, CEO at WJH Well being, and Kirk Hamilton, PhD, professor emeritus at Texas A&M College. Their tales and anecdotes gave us perception into Ray’s illustrious profession and deep analysis dedication.
The Heart additionally takes a possibility on the HCD Convention to acknowledge and have a good time the incredible work completed by our trade to additional our shared pursuit of bettering healthcare environments. Our annual Touchstone Awards have a good time exemplary use of an evidence-based design (EBD) course of within the constructed setting by initiatives and merchandise that show distinctive achievements throughout the three touchstones of the EBD course of: collaboration, analysis, and sharing. This 12 months, a document 19 Touchstone Awards have been earned in a category of awardees extra various than any previously, with initiatives and merchandise in acute care, behavioral well being, wellness, and emergency care.
Seven extra initiatives have been acknowledged with Healthcare Atmosphere Awards. These awards, given in partnership with Healthcare Design journal, acknowledge how design can enhance security, improve experiences, improve organizational effectivity, and enhance outcomes. Along with the skilled awards, 4 got to college students for his or her revolutionary and forward-thinking design options.
Excellence in product design was additionally acknowledged with the Nightingale Awards, in partnership with the HCD Expo and Healthcare Design journal. This 12 months, 19 merchandise obtained awards in 13 classes, with the Better of Competitors Award going to Zippsafe for an revolutionary and space-saving resolution for worker lockers.
We encourage you to consider getting into your work in certainly one of these applications within the coming 12 months. (A whole checklist of awardees, together with previous awards, photos, and undertaking descriptions, might be discovered on The Heart’s web site at www.healthdesign.org.)
Wishing you all of the happiest of vacation seasons and all one of the best within the new 12 months. I’m trying ahead to the nice issues we’ll do collectively and celebrating them subsequent 12 months in New Orleans.
Debra Levin is president and CEO of The Heart for Well being Design. She might be reached at dlevin@healthdesign.org.