In the dynamic healthcare landscape, success hinges on more than striking design—it calls for thoughtful planning, foresight and trusted partnerships to stay ahead of advancements in medicine and technology. Our healthcare practice embraces this responsibility, blending A/E expertise with deep industry engagement for actionable insights.
Through involvement in professional organizations, we become immersed in the daily realities of patients, medical specialists and other healthcare stakeholders. This firsthand understanding enables us to deliver tailored solutions that not only address immediate client needs, but also prepare them for tomorrow’s challenges.
Shaping the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
Integrating innovative design with practical solutions is vital for enhancing patient care and ensuring operational efficiency. In this endeavor, healthcare facilities must adeptly navigate complex systems while prioritizing the diverse needs of patients, staff and visitors.
CPL Northeast Region Healthcare Practice Leader Michelle Trott, AIA, NCARB, ACHA, exemplifies this commitment as President of the Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH). Under her leadership, AAH serves as a cornerstone for advancing healthcare design excellence, providing essential resources, research and a network for professionals to address industry issues. Through its programs, AAH empowers members to develop sustainable, long-term solutions that uphold patient care and benefit communities.
Within this organization, Trott leads a network of over 10,500 members in initiatives that align design and collaboration goals with evidence-based solutions; her efforts have included the founding of AAH’s Sustainability Committee in 2022.
Trott also serves on AAH’s Colleague to Colleague (C2C) committee, which aims to foster professional development and networking within the architectural healthcare community. Lessons gleaned from C2C enhance members’ education and integration into the field.
Her commitment to mentorship is additionally reflected in her active participation in key industry events such as the International Summit & Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design & Construction (PDC Summit) and the AAH Summer Leadership Summit.
Moreover, she works with leading organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Architects, the Facility Guidelines Institute, the Foundation for Health Environments Research, the Center for Health Design and the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design.
These engagements keep her at the forefront of industry advancements, enabling her to apply the latest standards, best practices and regulatory insights to deliver exceptional healthcare environments for her clients and team.
Trott served as a panelist at the 2024 PDC Summit in Atlanta, GA.
Forging Connections to Transform Charlotte’s Healthcare Landscape
A robust network of trusted peers is vital for navigating regional growth and adapting to evolving community needs. Recognizing a gap in professional organizations within the market, CPL Principal of Healthcare Business Development Jennifer O’Donnell, LEED AP founded the Charlotte chapter of the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP).
AMFP serves as a knowledge-sharing forum for designers, administrators and construction managers alike, with regional chapters empowering members to create high-performing, adaptable solutions that augment healthcare environments.
O’Donnell’s ability to forge strategic partnerships was crucial in establishing this platform, which has grown to become one of the largest chapters in the country, numbering 200 members.
Together with AMFP’s board, which includes owner advisors from Novant Health and Atrium Health, she frequently organizes events that foster collaborative problem-solving for local healthcare challenges—seamlessly leveraging these efforts to support clients in her daily role.
Left Image: At a recent gathering, experts from Atrium Health and Duke Energy discussed carbon neutrality in medical settings, emphasizing the role of eco-friendly materials in reducing the carbon footprint. Right Image: AMFP Charlotte members received an exclusive tour of Novant Health’s new outpatient facility, which consolidates cancer treatment and cardiovascular care offerings.
Breaking Barriers to Healthcare Access in Florida
Affordable housing shortages are creating significant obstacles for healthcare providers, especially in high-demand regions like Florida. With limited local living options, healthcare staff are forced to endure long commutes, which negatively affects both retention and patient care.
As the founding President of the AMFP Tampa Bay Chapter, CPL Florida Healthcare Practice Leader Ryan Daniels, AIA, NCARB, CM-BIM leads efforts to integrate workforce housing into healthcare campus master plans. This work is amplified through Daniels’ board positions with the AdventHealth Cancer Institute and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, yielding community-focused solutions.
In his various roles, Daniels leads public outreach to pinpoint service gaps and translate resident needs into meaningful ventures with CPL and local agencies. He also arranges facility tours with fellow AMFP members to inspire design ingenuity for these projects.
Left Image: Daniels with the AMFP Tampa Bay Board of Directors. Right Image: AMFP toured the new AdventHealth Riverview Hospital to learn how new technologies are influencing care environments.
In addition to steering these efforts, Daniels remains embedded in the healthcare design community by attending educational sessions and keynote presentations at national conferences. Recently, he joined other CPL leaders, including Trott and O’Donnell, at the 2024 HCD Conference + Expo, a premier event showcasing trends and innovations in healthcare design. He also serves as a Juror for HCD’s annual Nightingale Awards, evaluating products, finishes and other elements that support healthcare end users.
Pictured left to right: Architect Maggie Gordon, RID, NCIDQ, Trott, Daniels, O’Donnell and Architect Pam Houston, RA, EDAC.
Partnered Beyond Design
Truly impactful healthcare projects transcend form and function—they prioritize meaningful connections. Harnessing the power of partnership, our team brings clients fresh ideas, progressive design strategies and a vast network of experts who provide thought leadership from every angle of the industry. Together, we’re shaping environments that redefine patient care and cultivate stronger, more resilient communities.
