The Center for Health Design Blog

Lessons from Dr. Carson: Be Nice

I heard a really good speaker the other day at the ACHE conference in Chicago. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson spoke about growing up as a poor black child in Detroit; how his mother inspired him to learn; his failures and ultimate successes in separating Siamese twins who’d been joined at the head; and how he’s promoting education and leadership skills among today’s youth through a scholarship fund.

This guy’s story is so good, they even made a movie about him starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

Other than being an inspirational speaker, Dr. Carson didn’t connect much of what he said to the audience of mostly healthcare executives. He could have told some stories about his experiences with administration or made some comments about our country’s healthcare system. But, as a luncheon speaker, maybe his role was simply to entertain and motivate.

The one thing that he said that has stuck with me is that he told us to be nice to people — for a whole week. We tend to get so caught up in our own struggles that we forget that everyone else is struggling, too.

And usually, if you’re nice to people, they are nice back. The woman behind the airline counter whose been there since 5 a.m. The taxi driver who’s trying to lose weight. The person sitting next to you on the plane. The waiter who’s serving you lunch. Your spouse. The people you work with (even the ones you don’t like).

You get the idea. Try it. Be nice. For at least a whole week.

Canadian Firm B+H Architects is Next EDAC Advocate Firm

CONCORD, CA (April 1, 2010)—B+H Architects has made a commitment to become an Advocate Firm for the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program from The Center for Health Design (CHD). One of the largest and long-established architecture firms in Canada, B+H is the second firm headquartered outside of the U.S. to join in EDAC’s mission to develop a community of accredited individuals who understand the evidence-based design process.

By committing 25% of its healthcare team to earn EDAC accreditation, B+H is helping to improve healthcare environments through excellence in design. Its dedicated professionals utilize best practices and relevant research to inform design solutions equally focused on the patient and family experience and the staff work environment. Every project in B+H’s extensive portfolio represents a unique, community-appropriate design expression of a client’s vision and environment of care.

“B+H is truly excited to be an EDAC advocate firm. Throughout our 57-year history, we have continuously incorporated proven research, technologies, and design tools into our project development process,” says Peter Lambur, Director, Western Canada at B+H and leader of the firm’s EDAC program. “Evidence-based design (EBD) is arguably the most significant area of healthcare design practice developed over recent years, and one that is growing rapidly in response to client demand. We look forward to collaborating with healthcare organizations to more fully integrate EBD into their design processes to create and innovate facility solutions that will yield improved healthcare outcomes.”

“While at this time it is our mission to build a community of EDAC accredited individuals, the program’s ultimate vision is a world where all healthcare environments are created using an evidence-based design process,” says Debra Levin, President and CEO of The Center for Health Design. “We welcome B+H’s international expertise to the EDAC program and hope that more global firms of will follow in our Advocate Firms’ lead.”

Since the EDAC exam was launched in April 2009, more than 300 individuals in seven countries across the globe have become accredited. For more information about the EDAC program, visit www.healthdesign.org/edac.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.

About B+H Architects
Established in 1953, B+H Architects is one of Canada’s largest and longest established full service architectural practices. The firm brings renowned Canadian design, problem-solving and construction skills to large-scale, technically complex projects located around the world. Based in Toronto with offices in Vancouver, China, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and India, B+H Architects has a staff of over 250. The practice’s focus on high-quality design, project delivery and sustainable development is evidenced in its extensive portfolio of award-winning projects built on a legacy of design leadership and collaboration. www.bharchitects.com

Gresham, Smith and Partners Becomes First EDAC Advocate Firm To Accredit its Healthcare Design Team

Firm Committed to Development of Innovative, Efficient and Safe Facilities

CONCORD, CA (March 11, 2010)–The Center for Health Design, a nonprofit research, education, and advocacy organization announces that Gresham, Smith and Partners, a leading multi-disciplinary design and consulting firm to the built environment, is the first firm to fulfill the EDAC (Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification) Advocate Firm commitment of having at least 25% of its healthcare design team EDAC accredited. The Center for Health Design (CHD), which focuses work on the use of evidence-based design, developed the EDAC program as a way to educate and assess individuals on their understanding of how to base healthcare design decisions on credible research evidence and project evaluation results.

“By achieving our goal of becoming the first EDAC Advocate Firm to accredit its team, we are furthering our dedication to providing clients with a staff that understands the importance of evidenced based design and is committed to contributing to the body of knowledge that supports efficient clinical processes,” stated Ken Priest, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, executive vice president of Healthcare, Gresham, Smith and Partners.

GS&P has long been a proponent and practitioner of evidence-based design. The firm designed St. Joseph Hospital in West Bend, Wisconsin, which is the world’s first hospital designed specifically to reduce medical errors. Additionally, GS&P designed Clarian Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, which is a new facility that features standardized medical/surgical patient rooms that combine components of patient safety. In an effort to gain insight on the functionality of the spaces, the team constructed detailed mock-ups of exam, medical/surgical and LDR rooms as well as basic layouts for a nurse station and operating room. Staff and community toured these full-scale models to give designers their feedback, which was then incorporated into the design.

“We applaud Gresham, Smith and Partners on completing its initial commitment to being an EDAC Advocate Firm,” commented Debra Levin, President and CEO of CHD. “We are confident that by making a long term commitment to developing the practice and knowledge of evidence-based design, the firm will help improve outcomes for its clients and be a leader in the field.”

“By becoming an EDAC Advocate Firm, we have created a culture that is accelerating the application of credible research in design to improve patient and staff well-being, and contributing new evidence, which is equally as important. We anticipate additional healthcare design staff will become EDAC accredited as we continue to apply research evidence in all of our designs to support improved outcomes,” stated Sheila Bosch, Ph.D., EDAC, LEED AP, GS&P’s director of Healthcare Research.

CHD began development of EDAC in 2005 with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program now offers study preparation resources, access to healthcare design expertise, a comprehensive accreditation exam, and continuing education. Any industry organization interested in joining in EDAC’s mission to build a community of accredited individuals may partner with CHD to become an Advocate Firm. The current list of partner organizations comprises of an Educational Partner, six Champion Firms, six Advocate Firms and one Pebble Pioneer. Since the exam launched in 2009, over 300 individuals among over have become EDAC accredited.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.

About Gresham, Smith and Partners
Gresham, Smith and Partners (GS&P) provides design and consulting solutions for the built environment that contribute to the success of national and international clients. For more than 40 years, GS&P has focused on enhancing quality of life and sustainability within communities. GS&P consists of industry-leading professionals practicing architecture and engineering design as well as scientists and highly specialized planning and strategic consultants in Water Services, Transportation, Land Planning, Aviation, Corporate and Urban Design, Environmental Compliance, Healthcare, and Industrial Design Services. GS&P consistently ranks among the top architecture and engineering firms in the United States. For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.

THE CENTER FOR HEALTH DESIGN RESEARCH COALITION RELEASES NEW RESEARCH REPORT ON “CRITICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS”

CONCORD, CA (February 16, 2010)—The Center for Health Design (CHD), nonprofit research, education and advocacy organization, today announced the release of the Research Coalition’s latest research report, “Critical Issues in Healthcare Environments,” which is available for free download on CHD’s online store.

In Fall 2007, The Center for Health Design’s Research Coalition embarked on a research initiative to identify and describe the critical issues in healthcare environments. In this study Principal investigators, Uriel Cohen, D. Arch., and David Allison, M. Arch. utilize a rigorous survey methodology to collate the input of national key constituencies on the challenges they face in their work.

Sponsored by Bayer Material Science, Herman Miller, and Frank Zilm Inc., this report represents the culmination of over two years of effort to provide essential information that can be applied to facility planning, programming efforts and design visioning exercises. Furthermore, this important deliverable will inform the research agenda of The Center for Health Design and other national and international organizations.

The Research Coalition plans to provide periodic updates of this information, which will stimulate further industry engagement, and consequently drive the development of a robust research agenda for all of healthcare design.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD) formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. The CHD Research Coalition promotes the dissemination of research that contributes to therapeutic, safe, efficient and effective healthcare settings. The group also strives to support projects that fill critical gaps in the field of evidence-based design (EBD) while growing the network of researchers engaged in EBD by rewarding funds to select EBD research projects. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org

A PRESCRIPTIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR IMPROVED HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS: The Mohawk Group Joins The Center for Health Design’s Pebble Project®, Furthers Commitment to Evidence-Based Design Research and Practice

CONCORD, CA (January 12, 2010) – Propelling the call to action for the redesign of healthcare beyond Capitol Hill, leading commercial carpeting manufacturer The Mohawk Group (Mohawk) announces it has become the newest member of The Center for Health Design’s Pebble Project®, an international, collaborative research initiative that is helping to create healthcare environments that improve the quality of care, promote safety and health, and increase operational efficiency.

As a Pebble Partner, Mohawk joins an influential and growing community of selected healthcare providers and industry thought leaders dedicated to advancing the process of evidence-based design (EBD) in healthcare.

“Pebble Partners work together towards a shared vision of safer, healthier and more efficient healthcare environments that produce the highest level of health and economic outcomes. We know that Mohawk will add tremendous value to this effort,” said Debra Levin, president and chief executive officer of The Center for Health Design.

The goal of the Pebble Project, now in its 10th year, is to create a ripple effect in the healthcare community and advance the process of using evidence from research and best practices in the design of healthcare environments to improve patient and staff outcomes. Today, more than 70 healthcare organizations and corporate partners have committed to creating measurable change through the Pebble Project.

“Mohawk strives to be a knowledge-based driven organization,” said Al Kabus, president of The Mohawk Group. “Our alliance with The Center as a Pebble Partner will further our efforts in not only providing products that fulfill the specific and unique needs of healthcare facilities, but it will also help to further our customers’ as well as the industry’s understanding of how carpet selection can positively impact and improve patient outcomes.”

As the design and construction of healthcare facilities becomes increasingly based on the premise of creating healing environments, interior finishes have become an important element to consider in terms of improved staff performance, patient recovery, expedited healing time and financial impact to both the facility and the patient. Carpet, for example, has been utilized to help promote noise reduction, infection control, improved indoor air quality and safety to patients and staff among other attributes. A durable, high-performance carpet is central to well-designed healthcare environments.

“The need for progressive, safe and resource-efficient healthcare facilities is more vital now than ever,” said Keith Gray, technical marketing director for The Mohawk Group and healthcare market expert. “Evidence-based design practices continue to prove increasingly important in helping ensure the building and sustainability of holistic healing environments, making the Pebble Project and Mohawk’s role in it an imperative initiative.”

About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD) is an interdisciplinary nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Learn more about the Pebble Project.

About The Mohawk Group
The Mohawk Group and its four brands – Karastan, Lees, Bigelow and Durkan – are helping to define the new generation of commercial carpeting. A leading manufacturer of award-winning broadloom, modular and custom carpeting for every installation, The Mohawk Group is propelled by its legacy of world class performance, cutting-edge style and sustainable innovation. For additional information about its proven and new generation design solutions, and to learn more about what’s next from The Mohawk Group, visit www.themohawkgroup.com or call (800) 554-6637. Connect with The Mohawk Group on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

FRANK WEINBERG APPOINTED AS CO-CHAIR OF THE CENTER FOR HEALTH DESIGN’S RESEARCH COALITION

Concord, CA (January 12, 2010)–The Center for Health Design (CHD) announces the appointment of Frank Weinberg as Co-Chair of the CHD Research Coalition, succeeding longtime Research Coalition leader, Bart Franey.

“It is a privilege to work in this capacity with the talented CHD staff and members of the Research Coalition to advance the practice of utilizing research-based evidence to inform the design and development of healthcare environments,” says Weinberg. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the strong research programs of The Center as well as bringing additional focus to the dissemination and application of this important information.”

Frank was previously a board member (Executive Director) of the Coalition for Health Environments Research (CHER) and a member of the CHD Research Coalition over the past eight years, and has been actively involved in evaluating and promoting the role of the built environment in healthcare.

“Frank’s guidance will bring a thoughtful and consistent agenda to the pursuit of integrating evidence-based practice in hospital design and construction,” says Debra Levin, President and CEO of CHD, “and we’re confident that he will continue to advocate for an increase in the awareness of evidence-based design in response to environmental and sustainability issues in healthcare.”

Having spent over 35 years in the healthcare sector, Frank has held positions ranging from direct accountability for the support of a wide array of diagnostic and therapeutic technology to the executive oversight of master facilities planning and development activities. As the current Corporate AVP, Facilities at MedStar Health in Columbia, Maryland, Frank is accountable for all programs associated with the management, support and development of MedStar’s facilities and associated technology. In this position, he is responsible for the system-level oversight of facilities and plant operations, grounds, environmental services, protective services, clinical engineering services, environmental and safety compliance, and construction/renovation activities.

In addition to the pursuit of bringing evidence-based practice to hospital design and construction, Frank has worked to increase the awareness and response to environmental and sustainability issues in healthcare. He is currently on the Board of the Global Health and Safety Initiative (GHSI), USGBC Maryland and the Advisory Board of Maryland H2E.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD) formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. The CHD Research Coalition promotes the dissemination of research that contributes to therapeutic, safe, efficient and effective healthcare settings. The group also strives to support projects that fill critical gaps in the field of evidence-based design (EBD) while growing the network of researchers engaged in EBD by rewarding funds to select EBD research projects. www.healthdesign.org

About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is a $3.8 billion not-for-profit, regional healthcare system with a community-based network of nine hospitals and other healthcare services in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region. The hospitals, which include both teaching and community facilities, are Franklin Square Hospital Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Harbor Hospital, Montgomery General Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and Union Memorial Hospital in Maryland, and Georgetown University Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital, and Washington Hospital Center in the District of Columbia. MedStar Health is based in Columbia, Maryland and as the area’s largest health system, it is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 26,000 associates and 5,300 affiliated physicians, all of whom support MedStar Health’s patient-first philosophy that combines care, compassion and clinical excellence with an emphasis on customer service.

ENVIRONMENTS FOR AGING.10 ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Concord, CA (January 7, 2010) – The Center for Health Design and Vendome Group, publisher of Long-Term Living magazine, announce the 2010 Environments for Aging Scholarship Program. Each scholarship is designed to assist those who are unable to afford to attend the conference, by providing them with assistance in covering the conference registration fees.

“As part of our community outreach program, the Environments for Aging.10 Scholarship Program provides an opportunity for those who cannot afford the full registration fee a chance to attend the conference. We have worked very closely with our partner, The Center for Health Design, as well as the American Institute of Architects – Designs for Aging Knowledge Community (AIA DFA), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE) to build a cutting-edge, all-encompassing agenda. Our goal in providing the scholarships is to expand our audience, in an effort to further the conversations about how to develop practical, affordable, and functional living environments for our aging population,” said Eric Woods, V.P. and Managing Director of Vendome Group.

“Our hope is that the EFA.10 scholarship money will enable both young and seasoned professionals—who would be otherwise unable—to attend. In bringing together newcomers and veterans alike, our goal is to push the boundaries of the conversation and assist in furthering their knowledge and impact they will have on the long-term care industry. With money and budgets being so tight, it is our duty to do whatever is in our power to ensure that we contribute to furthering the education of all industry professionals,” says Woods.

In 2009, the Environments for Aging Conference attracted more than 40 exhibiting companies and 300 attendees. This year, the conference will be held at the Hotel Del Coronado, in San Diego, California, on March 20 – 23.

Visit www.EFA10.com for more information. Apply for this scholarship.

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About EFA.10
Environments for Aging is a comprehensive three-day experience, during which attendees and presenters will explore and share new ideas for creating attractive and functional living environments that meet the unique needs of our aging population. Attendees will share common goals and innovations as well as building, architecture, and design best practices. EFA.10 will provide inspiration through a gathering of like-minded, forward-thinking individuals who have a vision for the future, and who will be instrumental in shaping it.

About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design, and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach, and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.

About Vendome Group, LLC
Founded in July 2004, Vendome Group is led by seasoned publishing executives with the passion and drive to achieve Vendome’s mission of serving as one of the most trusted sources of information for business executives and professionals in the healthcare, real estate, chemical, and construction industries. Vendome provides critical information products designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of its business and professional customers. This information is disseminated in print and online products, including magazines, conferences and seminars, newsletters, databases, webinars, and research reports. Vendome Group is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Cleveland, Dallas, and New Hampshire.
www.vendomegrp.com.

NORTH AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE FIRM STANTEC ARCHITECTURE AUGMENTS THEIR EXISTING COMMITMENT TO DESIGN RESEARCH BY SIGNING ON AS AN EDAC (EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN ACCREDITATION PROGRAM) ADVOCATE FIRM

CONCORD, CA (January 6, 2010)—The Center for Health Design (CHD), a nonprofit research, education and advocacy organization, announces that Stantec Architecture has joined the growing list of Advocate Firms for the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program by committing 25% of their healthcare division to earn the accreditation.

Stantec Architecture’s North America–wide practice is committed to research and innovation and dedicated to an integrated approach to the delivery of healthcare design solutions. Their significant depth of resources and experience helps them contribute to the success of their clients through the single-source delivery of market-leading healthcare design solutions. The firm’s Healthcare studio of 350 architects, planners, designers, nurses, and technical staff have been involved in over a dozen research projects outside of normal day-to-day, project-specific design research. The group works with such partners as Providence Health Care in British Columbia, Texas A+M University, and European architects, engineers, and educators to find solutions for improved clinical outcomes and building performance.

“With over 50 years in the industry, Stantec Architecture has established an award-winning reputation in the sustainable design of healthcare facilities,” says Bruce Raber, Practice Leader for Healthcare at Stantec Architecture. “We are more than willing to ‘walk the talk’ and becoming an EDAC advocate firm reinforces our commitment to researching evidence-based solutions to our clients’ challenges.”

“Advocate Firms demonstrate leadership in the industry and a commitment to the evidence-based design process,” says Debra Levin, President and CEO of The Center for Health Design. “As our newest EDAC Advocate firm, Stantec brings substantial expertise and experience to the table. Combined with their dedication to applying research to their design practice, this makes them a valued partner in our efforts to standardize the EBD process across the industry.”

EDAC’s mission is to develop a community of accredited industry individuals through education and assessment of an evidence-based design process. The EDAC program launched in April 2009, and has accredited well over 200 individuals among seven countries across the globe. Stantec is the fifth Advocate Firm aside one Educational Partner, and six Champion Firms. For more general information about the EDAC program, visit www.healthdesign.org/edac.

EDAC Study Guides are available to help individuals prepare for an exam, which then assesses their understanding of how to base healthcare design decisions on credible research evidence and project evaluation results.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org

About Stantec Architecture
Stantec Architecture’s 800 architectural and interior design staff provide integrated and sustainable solutions from our offices across North America and the UAE, including: Calgary, Edmonton, Kamloops, New York, Philadelphia, Regina, Sacramento, San Francisco, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, and Doha, Qatar. www.stantec.com.

2009 HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT COMPETITION YIELDS SEVEN WINNERS AND TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS

CONCORD, CA (November 2, 2009) – The 2009 Healthcare Environment Awards Competition yielded winners among seven categories. These awards recognize those who demonstrate excellence and innovation in life-enhancing design that contributes to the delivery of healthcare.

The panel of jurors included Suzen Heeley, Director of Design and Construction at Hackensack University Medical Center; James May, Associate Principal at Granary Associates; and Barbara Huelat, Interior Design Principal for Huelat Parimucha.

The Acute Care Facility category winner was St. Anthony Hospital in Seattle Washington, designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects. An honorable mention in this category was awarded to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, designed by Eskew, Dumez, and Ripple.

The Ambulatory Care Facility winner was the Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center, designed by Anshen and Allen. An honorable mention was also awarded in this category to the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Building, designed by Stanley Beaman and Sears.

The Health and Fitness winner was Ideal Dentistry designed by Rowland Design; the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, designed by the S/L/A/M Collaborative, received the Landscape Design award; Sun City Tsukaguchi Royal Care designed by Yokomizo Associates received the Long-Term Care and Assisted Living award; Clemson University was the award recipient in the Professional and Conceptual category; and students at George Washington University won the Student Award.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design, and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach, and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.

About Vendome Group, LLC
Founded in July 2004, Vendome Group is led by seasoned publishing executives with the passion and drive to achieve Vendome’s mission of serving as one of the most trusted sources of information for business executives and professionals in the healthcare, real estate, chemical, and construction industries. Vendome provides critical information products designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of its business and professional customers. This information is disseminated in print and online products, including magazines, conferences and seminars, newsletters, databases, webinars, and research reports. Vendome Group is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Cleveland, Dallas, and New Hampshire.

BRANDRUD, IOA HEALTHCARE FURNITURE, HILL-ROM, PETER PEPPER PRODUCTS, AND QUICK DRAIN USA WIN NIGHTINGALES AT HEALTHCARE DESIGN.09 IN ORLANDO, FL

CONCORD, CA (November 2, 2009) – Five Nightingale Awards winners were awarded at HEALTHCARE DESIGN.09 (HCD.09), a conference founded and produced by The Center for Health Design (CHD) and Vendome Group, LLC. This year’s conference was held in Orlando, FL, held from October 31-November 2. Sponsored by Contract magazine, CHD, and HCD.09, the competition recognizes and promotes innovative products that contribute to the quality of healthcare and lead new design directions.

The following companies were recipients of the 2009 Nightingale Awards:
Peter Pepper Products for the HealthFIRST™ Infection Control Centers
IoA Healthcare Furniture for the JJ pediatric chair
Hill-Rom for the Art-of-Care Over Bed Tables
Brandrud for their Florabella chair
Quick Drain USA, who received the Best of Competition award for the Quick Drain

Forty-two entries were judged on the following criteria: Contribution to healing environments, Functionality, Quality/durability, Aesthetics/Style, Pricing and Innovation.

Judges for the competition included the following healthcare and design professionals:
Joost H. Bende, principal, Jain Malkin Inc.
G. “Yim Lim” Jew, design principal, HDR San Francisco
Jean M. Young, president, Young+Co., Inc.
Renee Zepeda, associate and senior design architect, Fletcher Thompson
Edward Bottomley, principal, CAMA, Inc.
Jason-Emery Groen, vice-president of HDR|Mill & Ross Architects

Winners of the competition received a framed certificate, a personalized glass award, and will be published in Contract magazine.

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About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design, and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach, and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.

About Vendome Group, LLC
Founded in July 2004, Vendome Group is led by seasoned publishing executives with the passion and drive to achieve Vendome’s mission of serving as one of the most trusted sources of information for business executives and professionals in the healthcare, real estate, chemical, and construction industries. Vendome provides critical information products designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of its business and professional customers. This information is disseminated in print and online products, including magazines, conferences and seminars, newsletters, databases, webinars, and research reports. Vendome Group is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Cleveland, Dallas, and New Hampshire.