47: Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, Principal and Healthcare Architect at CO Architects

On today’s episode, Cheryl interviews Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, Principal and Healthcare architect at CO Architects. Cheryl asks Gina the question, “What is the collaborative workplace in healthcare that we see coming out of healthcare and why is it so important right now?”  Gina shares, “For so long we’ve been focused on the patients and their families which is very important. The staff is also part of the healing machine of the hospital. Human centered design focuses on humans and these humans who take care of other humans deserve to be taken care of as well. It’s about time some of the best spaces in the hospital went to the staff.” This and so much more on the changing face of healthcare design post-COVID from Gina Chang’s perspective on today’s episode of the podcast.

Learn more about Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, Principal and Healthcare Architect at CO Architects by visiting https://coarchitects.com/.

In Cheryl’s conversation with Gina Chang, they discuss:

It’s been a long year since COVID first came on the scene in this country. What’s been the one thing that has surprised Gina in her work post-COVID? It has been said about Gina, “With more than 20 years of experience, Gina understands both the complex nature of healthcare facilities, and the simple fact that these are places where people need to feel human, vulnerable, and safe.” How did Gina arrive at this empathetic understanding of the experience of the hospital space? Gina had an “aha moment” during a post-occupancy evaluation with an ICU nurse that changed her. What is the collaborative workplace in healthcare that is becoming more and more commonplace in the hospital setting? We all know there is a severe shortage of nurses and doctors who are really stressed out. How can the design of the environment help? In 2019 the Advisory Board reported that nearly 50% of physicians classify themselves as burned out. By 2030, worldwide, there needs to be double the amount of workforce there is today? What does this mean and how can healthcare architects and designers help? Why medical students currently will not have any problem with finding a collaborative workplace in their first hospital job. Gina has said, “My interest in design was nurtured in childhood through sculpture and creating objects with parts and pieces of things.” Listen to this inspiring story that continues in Gina’s life at home today. Gina shares, “Color is not just for looking good. I knew a pain doctor who only wore blue shirts because blue has been proven to reduce pain” Why is this meaningful for Gina and for healthcare architects and designers? What have been some of Gina’s favorite healthcare projects and why? What is Gina’s advice to healthcare architecture and design students who are considering specializing in healthcare, and are also afraid of it?

The world is changing quickly. The Center for Health Design is committed to providing the healthcare design and senior living design industries with the latest research, best practices and innovations. The Center can help you solve today’s biggest healthcare challenges and make a difference in care, safety, medical outcomes, and the bottom line.  Find out more at healthdesign.org.

Additional support for this podcast comes from our industry partners:

The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design

Learn more about how to become a Certified Healthcare Interior Designer®  by visiting the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers at: https://aahid.org/.

Connect to a community interested in supporting clinician involvement in design and construction of the built environment by visiting The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design at https://www.nursingihd.com/

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Healthcare Interior Design 2.0. If you enjoyed any part of Cheryl’s conversation today with Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, Principal and Healthcare Architect at CO Architects, please help our podcast grow by spreading the good word on social media and with your online community. Stay safe and be well. For the full roster of shows, visit http://healthcareidpodcast.com.

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