Lessons Learned on Publishing Your First Book

In 2019, the Yellow Brick team identified a gap in information related to the Transition and Activation of new healthcare facilities and spaces. They challenged themselves to fill this gap by writing a guide that could be leveraged by those tasked with the responsibility of leading a new facility activation project.

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The Quest for Common Ground in Rural and Urban Development: Key Takeaways from the See Change Sessions

See Change Sessions is the collision of unconventional networking and collaboration by labs (workshops) and in-the-moment speaker topics to facilitate change across six different priority, themed areas – Where We Live; Beyond the Stars; Turning the Tide; Breaking the Buzzword; Cultures in Conversation; and Harmony & Dissonance.

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Collaboration Spaces for Healthcare Teams

During my time as a bedside nurse I recall thinking that teamwork and communication came naturally by just working well with other care team members, and that the patients would naturally benefit from this.   But as I began transitioning my career to patient safety and quality of care through improving teamwork and communication I then realized that there are enablers and barriers to teamwork in the very unit and care areas we work in. 

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From Clinical Nurse Specialist to Healthcare Operations Planner: Meet Ron Kraus.

At the last HCD Conference, Board member Kevin Meek had an opportunity to work in the NIHD booth with Ron Kraus MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, ACNS-BC, a Healthcare Operations Planner with BSA LifeStructures. Recently joining the team at BSA LifeStructures in August 2022, Ron brings decades of clinical experience to the healthcare design operations team supporting clients and internal teams.

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2024: Finding Purpose in our Community.

2024 will be a challenging year for our healthcare professions and industry, to say nothing about our society, country, and world. Let us together find purpose in our community with one another and in our collective vision to shape the future of healthcare through the engagement and integration of the clinical voice in the planning and design of healthcare environments. 

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Generations of Healthcare MacGyvers: An Interview with Architect and Healthcare Designer on Rural Health.

An interview on rural health by Pamela Jones, RN, MSN, MS, FACHE, EDAC with NIHD member Val Williams AIA, Senior Healthcare Planner Senior Associate at Page. Read on to learn how nurses and designers can contribute.

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Meet the Nurses in Design at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a very fortunate organization.  They not only have one nurse as a part of their design team efforts … but TWO highly talented and experienced nurses!  NIHD members Tara and Mary have collectively been a part of the NGHS system for over 75 years!  Like many others in NIHD, their current roles never existed, until through their involvement in projects and operational improvements. 

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Reflecting on Our Roots.

As we reflect on our roots as an organization, our collective goal hasn’t changed - to impact collaborative and multi-disciplinary relationships by facilitating trust, respect and shared goals for improved clinical work environments and ultimately patient outcomes.

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Facility Guidelines Institute 2026 Health Guidelines Revision Committee Process.

Brooke Karlsen, MSN, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, EDAC is a nurse, an NIHD member and is pleased and honored to serve on the 2026 Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI) Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) for the Outpatient document. In this blog, she shares information on the four-year revision cycle process and how to submit a proposal in the current open period.

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The Nightingale Awards - Why You Should Consider being a Juror in 2023.

Each year at the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo (HCD), healthcare interior designers, architects, facilities managers and planners, and clinicians can apply to serve as Nightingale Award jurors who review and evaluate products in the exhibit hall. Awards are given to those who make a significant contribution to the healthcare built environment through product innovation. This past year in San Antonio, a few NIHD members served as jurors in the Nightingale Awards, and share their experience below.

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Feeling Familiar: Training Fundamentals for your New Facility

When planning the New Facility Orientation and Training plan, one question that is often received is, “Who needs training, and how much time should be allocated?”  In her 18 years leading projects, here is what Kelly Guzman MN, RN, EDAC, President and CEO of Yellow Brick Consulting, has learned.

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A Diverse Path into Transition & Activation Planning.

Meet NIHD member Bridget Graham, MBAH, PMP. She has been a Lead Project Manager with HTS, an Affiliate of HBS, for the last 2.5 years.  Her career path has been diverse having worked in corporate healthcare benefits while at GE and Employer Relations for Union College, however, the skills and experience gained have only diversified her tool belt when working with clients.

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February Clinician's Lounge | Coffee Series with NIHD members serving on the 2026 HGRC.

Fill your cup of coffee or tea and join your NIHD colleagues who are serving on the Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC). The Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) is a select multidisciplinary consensus body of about 140 clinicians, administrators, architects, engineers, and representatives from authorities having jurisdiction that is convened to revise and update the FGI Guidelines documents.

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NIHD Presents “I Can’t Work Another Minute”: A Study of Nursing Resiliency.

Join our webinar on January 19! This presentation will review current research into the utilization of two types of resilience rooms, dedicated to helping nursing staff cope with on-the-job work stress. This research seeks to link staff satisfaction and retention to the institution of these rooms by expanding their usage throughout the acute care hospital environment.

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