In keeping with Andrews Architects’ mission of providing the highest level of service for our clients, our staff continually strives to further their knowledge within their chosen area of expertise by achieving advanced credentialing.

For our team members focused on healthcare, achieving Board certification through the American College of Healthcare Architects represents the highest level of recognition within the profession.  Before earning the ACHA Certificate, an architect must have a minimum of five years’ experience designing healthcare projects and submit a portfolio of work along with letters of recommendation.  Once accepted by the College, the applicant then may sit for a peer reviewed written examination.   Beth Klapp, AIA, ACHA, Design Director and Shital Galani, AIA, ACHA, Design Director, achieved certificate holder status this past year.  They join Bill Schubert, AIA, ACHA, Vice President of Planning and Architecture and Bill Andrews, AIA, ACHA, President, as members of the College.  As such, each remains committed to maintain high standards of specialized continuing education and to add to the body of knowledge in healthcare design.

For our team members focused on senior living, completing the Series in Applied Gerontology Studies (SAGE) course of studies that leads to a Certificate in Aging is a primary goal.  Course studies include applied gerontology, clinical case studies and issues and trends in aging.  No demographic trend is more important or more fundamental to understand within the profession of architecture than the changing age structure of our society.  Susan Hinz, Associate AIA, LEED AP, Design Director for our senior living studio, is concluding her course of studies in SAGE through The Office of Geriatrics and Interprofessional Aging Studies at The Ohio State University.

The Andrews team is committed to bringing LEAN tools to the planning process.  We regularly study “back of the house” operations of a building to reduce inefficiencies as well as determine solutions to allow staff and care givers more time with patients and residents to improve care quality and family satisfaction.  Beth Klapp, AIA, ACHA , completed a rigorous course of studies sponsored by University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio and Kent State University this past year that led to a LEAN Six Sigma green belt.  She was teamed with UH staff to study and determine methods to reduce process cycle time by increasing patient through-put in an outpatient OB/Gyn clinic.  Analysis included floor plan modifications to shorten both patient and staff travel distances to care points.  Other members of the Andrews’ team have completed white belt training.