From “wide-eyed and clueless” to “teach the why”

April 9, 2026

This blog profiles Sam Snell’s journey from a “wide-eyed and clueless” nurse to a leader in healthcare design and operations, highlighting how emergency departments reveal whether workflows and spaces truly function under pressure.

From Cribs to Campuses: Roxanne’s Path to Healthcare Design

January 15, 2026

We are proud to spotlight members who are shaping the future of healthcare environments through innovation, leadership, and a passion for patient-centered care. This month, we’re excited to feature Roxanne Butler MSOD, RNC, Principal at Blue Cottage of CannonDesign and President-Elect of the NIHD Foundation for 2025.

LATEST POSTS

Featured

Apr 9, 2026

From “wide-eyed and clueless” to “teach the why”

Apr 9, 2026

Mar 26, 2026

Translating Care into Systems That Work

Mar 26, 2026

The blog highlights Angie Cox’s journey from social work to becoming a leader in clinical technology, driven by her belief that many healthcare challenges stem from system design rather than individual failure.

With multidisciplinary expertise, she works at the intersection of care delivery, technology, and strategy to create solutions that improve both patient and clinician experiences. Her work focuses on designing smarter systems that reduce burnout and make healthcare more effective and human-centered.

Mar 26, 2026

Mar 24, 2026

What does it truly mean to be welcomed?

Mar 24, 2026

The future of healthcare design will not be defined solely by technology or efficiency, but by our ability to create environments that genuinely welcome.

Mar 24, 2026

Mar 19, 2026

Optimizing Healthcare Environments with Smart Sensor Technology

Mar 19, 2026

At Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, smart sensor technology is transforming how healthcare spaces are used by replacing guesswork with real-time data. Thousands of sensors help staff quickly find and manage rooms, improving efficiency and the experience for patients and families while reducing unnecessary costs.

The approach also prioritizes transparency and privacy, ensuring data is anonymous and trusted. With plans to expand into air quality and energy monitoring, this innovation is shaping the future of smarter, healthier healthcare environments.

Mar 19, 2026

Mar 5, 2026

Reimagining Care Through Design: Emily Karbo’s Unique Career Path.

Mar 5, 2026

Emily Karbo, DNP, RN, EDAC, transitioned from a career in ICU nursing to healthcare design, using her clinical expertise to shape environments that improve patient care, staff workflow, and operational efficiency. Inspired by early experiences in hospice care and driven by a passion for human-centered design, she now blends compassion, collaboration, and innovation to make a lasting impact in the healthcare design community.

Mar 5, 2026

Feb 26, 2026

Reducing Clinical Burden Through Intelligent Workflow Automation

Feb 26, 2026

Nurses working in healthcare face growing clinical burdens, spending up to 40% of their shifts on indirect tasks like coordination and communication, contributing to burnout and turnover. Modern nurse call platforms such as Jeron’s Provider transform traditional call systems into intelligent workflow hubs by automating task routing, integrating with EHR and RTLS systems, and streamlining communication across departments.

By reducing non-clinical interruptions and improving response times, these systems free nurses to focus more on bedside care while improving operational efficiency and staff satisfaction.

Feb 26, 2026

Feb 19, 2026

GO or NO GO?

Feb 19, 2026

This reflective post explores the NIHD member Jamie Hammer’s internal “GO or NO GO” debate about returning to school later in life to pursue a DNP after a long nursing career. Drawing on decades of experience—from bedside care to healthcare design—Jamie shares how professional maturity made advanced education more focused and manageable, and offers practical advice for choosing the right DNP program. Ultimately, earning her doctorate brought renewed purpose, a deeper appreciation for research and data, and a reminder that it’s never too late to keep growing!

Feb 19, 2026

Feb 16, 2026

Be the Messenger

Feb 16, 2026

Advocacy is more than a moment—it’s a sustained commitment to showing up for others, for our communities, and for the future of healthcare design. When we ground our work in connection and shared responsibility, we create the conditions for meaningful, lasting change.

This season, we’re also elevating new voices and perspectives, including leaders like Grace Kistner, whose global health experience reminds us that advocacy thrives when mentorship, collaboration, and bold vision come together.

Feb 16, 2026

Feb 12, 2026

When Space and Seconds Collide.

Feb 12, 2026

The built environment is not a passive backdrop to care delivery; it is an active participant in shaping how safely and effectively care is provided. While healthcare environments are designed with good intentions in mind, we cannot underestimate the profound influence that physical space has on human performance, clinical decision-making, and ultimately, patient safety.

To truly design for safety, we must understand the complex cognitive and operational realities clinicians navigate every day — especially in moments when time, space, and life converge.

Feb 12, 2026

Jan 29, 2026

Add these sessions to your PDC Summit agenda.

Jan 29, 2026

NIHD is a proud Supporting Organization of the PDC Summit! Our members assist in the abstract review process, and we work together with ASHE to offer nursing continuing education for approved sessions. This activity has been submitted to Montana Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. Learners can earn up to 9.0 contact hours of continuing nursing professional development by attending these sessions.

Jan 29, 2026