While I’m not leaving the world of design, this is my final editorial for i+s—a place I’ve called home for almost 14 years now. And as I sit down to write it, I do it with a smile. Because I know for all that time, we’ve consistently put out content that has helped you do your jobs better, and brought you programs that helped you connect with each other, learn from each other and build each other up. Those editors still here will settle for nothing less as the years go on. So, I can honestly say, my work here is done.
Speaking of the i+s editors, I’m confident leaving the magazine in very good hands under the leadership of Chief Content Director, Robert Nieminen, and with a new addition to the staff, Carrie Meadows, who will take over the reigns of i+s as its new Editor in Chief. Carrie has been a B2B media editor for more than 20 years, most recently as the Editor in Chief of our sister publication, LEDs magazine.
Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Carrie and congratulating her on this move. I’m excited to see how the brand will evolve with her at the helm.
Before I go though, I thought I’d give you a little peek at this amazing healthcare-focused July/August issue we’ve put together to help you beat the heat. From IA Architects to Gensler to Gresham Smith, we’ve got some of the biggest, baddest voices in the market weighing in—and leaning in at that.
I believe as an industry we’re paying more heed than ever to this segment, financially and creatively, and this issue illustrates that. As our writer Barbara Horwitz-Bennett reports in her feature on behavioral health services, as of last year there’s an astounding 21% of adults experiencing mental illness in the U.S., and thankfully more of them are seeking treatment, as the stigma has faded on it being a personal weakness or character flaw. Bottom line is this has resulted in a significant increase in market demand, but one major hurdle in meeting it is the government’s influence on healthcare as a business, says Gresham Smith’s Healthcare Market Vice President Corie Baker in our Interview column.
“The regulations and policies can often create hurdles that must be navigated carefully, and policies around reimbursements have a direct effect on funding available for capital improvements,” she wrote.
While we are finally taking mental health seriously, we’re also riding our learning curve toward designing healthcare spaces that better serve the neurodiverse community and finding new and improved ways to build projects that provide better care for women and families. We’ve got a few of them in these pages.
As the title of this letter says, this is not a goodbye, just a “see ya later.” If NeoCon and the rest of the spring tradeshows were any indication of our trajectory, we as an industry are activated and ready to pounce on some exciting new frontiers. I for one am on the edge of my seat to see where you all take them.
Please keep on reading and take good care.
AnnMarie Martin
