GlobeSt.com: What are some trends shaping healthcare design?

Hendrickson: Reimbursement models are shifting based on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems/HCAHPS scores and evolving healthcare reform efforts. The focus on outpatient and ambulatory care is also growing, so the acuity of inpatients is higher. Meanwhile, there is still a nursing and physician shortage, so staff are often overworked and suffering from burnout. Given all these considerations, narrowing focus on key issues can be a challenge for the design team. I often refer to Healthcare Design Magazine and Sara Marberry's blog as resources.

GlobeSt.com: Are there things in healthcare design that translate into corporate, retail, hospitality, education and other real estate projects?

Hendrickson: A healthcare facility has a bit of all market types, actually. Corporate design philosophy applies to the support/administrative function of a hospital. Hospitality design comes into play in the dining areas and in how we approach waiting spaces. Education trends can be implemented into training rooms and conferencing spaces for the staff, and retail strategies help inform the layout of the gift shop. Since various markets intersect in the hospital, the design team needs to be flexible and current on the latest trends. Conversely, healthcare considerations like durability, material health and acoustics could easily apply to the other market sectors.

GlobeSt.com: What is a project you completed that made you the most proud and why?

Hendrickson: I honestly love every project that I work on. I'm probably most proud of the two small projects I've completed recently with Children's Health in Dallas. I used to work there, so nothing is more personal than designing spaces for what could be my old co-workers.

Over the course of those two projects, we renovated the surgical waiting space for families and completely updated the breakroom for the staff working in that department. After construction, I was able to see first-hand how the families responded to the renovated waiting room. I take comfort in knowing that I can positively affect a very stressful day by creating a space that supports families whose sole focus is the patient. Plus, it is so rewarding to give the staff a space where they can truly be “off-stage” and decompress.

GlobeSt.com: What are you working on now?

Hendrickson: The first is Texas Oncology-Cancer Center in Rockwall, TX. As a former infusion nurse, it's so rewarding to give dignity and choice to patients when everything else is out of their control. We are working with the client to do pre/post occupancy evaluations as well, and definitely looking forward to the feedback. Also, I'm working on the Children's Health-PICU in Dallas. For this project, we are focusing on family support spaces and reducing the number of steps required of providers. I love combining function with design, and helping to organize and simplify the visual chaos in a very clinical environment.

GlobeSt.com: What would be your dream project?

Hendrickson: Anything with pediatrics or hematology/oncology is my dream. Having personal experiences in these areas gives me a vested interest in making sure I can be proud of the result. I'd also love to incorporate more pre/post-occupancy evaluations, so we can constantly improve and adapt for each project.

Hendrickson's design experience includes work on the Children's Health surgery waiting renovation (Dallas), HCA Methodist Westside Hospital (San Antonio), Plaza Medical Center emergency department and tower expansion (Fort Worth), UT Southwestern Medical Center heavy ion treatment and Research Center (Dallas), Medical City Dallas pediatric oncology renovation (Dallas) and Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall Medical Office Building (Rockwall).