Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm was honored with a Gold Level Touchstone Award from The Center for Health Design for exemplary use of the evidence-based design (EBD) process when designing the 92-bed inpatient tower at UF Health North in Jacksonville, Florida.
When designing the new inpatient tower, Gresham Smith’s interdisciplinary project team sought to create an environment that reduced nurse burnout, supported retention and recruitment, and elevated patient care. Using an evidence-based process that included stakeholder engagement with nursing leadership, as well as rigorous post-occupancy evaluations and analysis of staff break areas in the previous tower designed by the firm, the team found that nurses mainly took brief, essential breaks, with restorative breaks being underused. This led the team to incorporate a variety of break spaces that combine technology, nutrition, calming décor, nature access, and ergonomic furniture to align with staff needs.
“We are honored that The Center for Health Design recognized our work at UF Health North with a Gold Level Touchstone Award,” said Penny Houchens, IIDA, NCIDQ, Lean, Executive Vice President of Healthcare at Gresham Smith. “Our team’s dedication to integrating evidence-based strategies enabled us to create a facility that supports caregivers and patients alike, promoting a positive healing environment.”
Presented by The Center for Health Design, the Touchstone Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for employing the EBD process in projects and products worldwide to enhance health, safety and wellness; increase value; improve outcomes; and engage stakeholders. The entries are reviewed by an expert panel consisting of key industry stakeholders — academics, architects, designers, healthcare executives, planners, facility executives, patient and family advisors, and researchers.
Learn more about this project here.
