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The Center for Health Design |
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Overview The Center for Health Design is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization whose mission is to transform healthcare settings into healing environments that improve outcomes through the creative use of evidence-based design. We envision a future where healing environments are recognized as a vital part of therapeutic treatment; and where the design of healthcare settings contributes to health and does not add to the burden of stress. The Center serves a network of more than 30,000 professionals worldwide. The main areas of our focus are research, education, environmental standards, and technical assistance. Research: Since 1993, The Center has initiated more than $650,000 in research on consumer satisfaction, medical outcomes, and facility design. Its latest initiatives are 1) a report funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that summarizes the available evidence-based design research; and 2) the Pebble Project, whose purpose is to create a ripple effect in the healthcare community by providing researched and documented examples of projects that have created life-enhancing environments for patients, families, and staff. In 2006, CHER (Coalition for Health Environments Research) became a part of The Center. CHER, a nonprofit organization staffed and directed by volunteers was founded by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) to promote health environments research. Education/Information: Through its annual conference HEALTHCARE DESIGN The Center continues to communicate new ideas and information about how the quality of healthcare can be enhanced by the design of the built environment. In 2007, The Center’s newest conference, ENVIRONMENTS FOR AGING, will bring together key stakeholders in government, real estate development, construction, senior housing, architecture, design, academia, and finance to find the best ways to develop and redevelop all types of communities for the burgeoning baby boom generation. It is currently producing an executive program with Turner Construction called "The Business Case for Better Buildings." The Center produces two magazines in conjunction with Medquest Communications (a division of Vendome)–Healthcare Design and Clean Design. The Center's website (www.healthdesign.org), which is visited by more than 6,000 people a month, provides valuable information and resources for those planning and designing new or renovated facilities. Environmental Standards: As an advocate for standards changes within the various accrediting and regulatory agencies, we are actively engaged in ongoing initiatives with the JCAHO, AIA, and others. Technical Assistance: Every day, The Center’s staff answers questions and provides free information to healthcare and design professionals all over the world via e-mail, telephone, and fax. The Center also offers more formal "second opinion" advisory services to organizations that are planning new healthcare facilities. Contact Info:Debra J. Levin, Presidentdlevin@healthdesign.org Sara Marberry, Executive Vice President smarberry@healthdesign.org 1850 Gateway Boulevard Suite 1083 Concord, CA 94520 925.521.9404 tel 925.521.9405 fax Email: admin@healthdesign.org Internet:http://www.healthdesign.org |
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