HDR's Brenda Smith Promoted to Health Education Director in Architecture
Brenda Smith, IIDA, CHID, LEED AP, has been promoted to director of health education for HDR’s architecture practice. With more than three decades of experience in healthcare and design — first as a nurse and now as a designer — Smith understands the interconnectedness between learning experiences and the practical application of knowledge in patient care settings.
“Over the past year, Brenda has spearheaded an initiative focused on understanding how our existing work, expertise and relationships can position HDR for growth in the health science and medical education markets,” said Leila Kamal, HDR education director. “Now, as director of health education, Brenda is in a position to grow our design practice and equip the next generation of learners with skills to thrive in the evolving landscape of clinical practice.”
Based in Atlanta, Smith will lead clients in programming, planning and defining project visions in collaboration with HDR’s diverse and integrated project teams. By focusing on the connections between people and spaces, Smith will empower teams to embrace exploration to develop unexpected and innovative design solutions that transcend initially perceived limitations.
“Effectively meeting the overwhelming demands placed on clinicians requires designing education spaces that not only accommodate the evolving needs for teaching and learning but also prioritize the foundational skills necessary to equip future care providers,” Smith said. “By doing so, we can navigate the challenges of the present while ensuring the continued excellence and progress of healthcare delivery tomorrow.”
A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Smith is active in regional and national design communities. She currently serves as a board member of the Women in Healthcare Georgia Chapter and chairs its justice, equity, diversity and inclusion initiative. Smith is also a member of the International Interior Design Association and the Society of Colleges and University Planning.
