This blog recounts MacKenzie Weldon’s deeply personal journey after being diagnosed with stage 3B triple-negative breast cancer in October 2024. A long-time professional in the healthcare industry, MacKenzie found her understanding of healthcare profoundly reshaped. While the medical care was critical, it was the compassion, dedication, and humanity of the nurses that left the most lasting impact.

The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," passed in July 2025, marks a major shift in U.S. healthcare funding, cutting over $1 trillion from Medicaid over ten years and introducing stricter financing rules. These changes are expected to result in higher copays, the loss of coverage for nearly 12 million Americans by 2034, and significant financial strain on rural and safety-net hospitals, many of which may face closure. As healthcare systems adapt to reduced reimbursements, there will be a growing focus on return-on-investment, operational efficiency, and strategic planning—particularly in facility design and construction. While some projects with secure funding may proceed, others, especially in rural areas, could be delayed or canceled, with a broader shift toward renovations and outpatient-focused facilities expected.

Meet Annette Roehl M.Arch, MUP, BSN-RN, CCRN, CHSE, EDAC, MHFA. She has the privilege of advocating for spaces that prioritize safety, efficiency, and wellness—ensuring that both patients, families, and healthcare teams have environments that support their needs.

Paladin’s story begins not in a boardroom, but in a generational handoff. In 2013, a rail, both literal and symbolic, was passed from father to son. This “official” transition marked the founding of Paladin Healthcare, a company born from legacy but designed for the future. It wasn’t just about continuing a business; it was about evolving an idea, about taking something foundational and reimagining it for a new era of healthcare.

NIHD Member Nick Mengucci, MSN, RN-BC, LSSGB recently spoke on a panel at AMFP’s Houston Annual Healthcare Summit titled Creating a High-Quality Workplace Experience in Healthcare, highlighting how thoughtful design supports staff recruitment, retention, and performance. As the nurse voice on the panel, he represented both the profession and NIHD, emphasizing the need for environments that support caregivers as much as patients.

At this year’s Healthcare Design Forum, keynote speaker Ethan Kross delivered a powerful message on the impact of our internal dialogue and how it shapes our behavior, confidence, and decision-making. His insights on managing self-talk—especially through small shifts like using our own name—offered practical tools for overcoming doubt and speaking up with clarity and conviction in professional settings.

For the past three years, Meg Yoho, MSN, RN, ASQ CSSBB, has been a Senior Project Manager at Yellow Brick, Inc., bringing a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, process improvement, and operational excellence. Before joining Yellow Brick, she spent over a decade at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) in key leadership roles, where she focused on optimizing systems and improving healthcare operations.

Workplace violence in healthcare is escalating at an alarming rate, turning once-rare incidents into daily threats for frontline staff. This blog explores how a layered safety approach—anchored by advanced nurse call systems and supported by smart technology and training—can help protect caregivers and rebuild a culture of safety in hospitals.

As we celebrate the graduation of our eldest daughter from high school and her trade school (cosmetology) program, I couldn't help but notice a significant disparity at her recent completion ceremony. There were considerably more graduates in programs like cosmetology and aesthetics compared to medical assistant and nursing programs, with a ratio of approximately 4:1.

Susan Bower’s expertise spans the entire planning continuum, from early strategic visioning and operational programming to transition planning and activation.