Global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will welcomes Dan Thomas, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, EDAC, to serve as Health Principal for its Dallas studio. Drawing upon his years of experience leading healthcare planning and design teams, Thomas will work to provide flexible, curated design solutions for clients throughout the region. His focus on sustainability, research, and healthy living will strengthen the Dallas studio’s approach to healthcare design.

“I am drawn to Perkins&Will’s collaborative ethos and efforts to push the design envelope in healthcare and planning,” explained Thomas. “The team operates with an understanding that what we create impacts our environment and that we need to be good stewards of the earth. I look forward to furthering this endeavor and continue pushing for a carbon positive future in the healthcare field.”

A Healthcare Leader: Three Decades of Research-Based Planning

Thomas brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare design and planning to the position. Having worked on national and global projects from major academic medical centers to public healthcare facilities, he has a wide range of master planning, schematic design, and programming expertise. Thomas believes that research and data are key to successfully understanding how facilities operate and regularly performs extensive research into industry trends and best practices. He has strong interests in behavioral health, children’s health, and population health. Thomas’ background and passions align with Perkins&Will’s core values of design excellence and living design, which promote the creation of environments for people to live happier, healthier lives. 

Healthcare Operations and Design Mentorship

At Perkins&Will, Thomas will continue to work with healthcare clients to realize their visions, drawing upon his proven process of listening, understanding, and creating in order to choreograph solutions for staff and patient needs. He will also serve as a leader within the studio, helping to further the growth of designers and planners. Thomas encourages his staff and emerging designers to pursue their passions in the hopes that they will one day surpass his own knowledge and capabilities.

“Dan is highly skilled in creating customized, flexible solutions that both respond to the client’s current needs and prepare for the future,” said Perkins&Will’s Southwest Region Director Tom Reisenbichler, AIA, LEED AP. “We are so excited to have him join the team and help shape the future of our healthcare practice and the community at large.”

Envisioning the Future of Healthcare: Healthy Communities and Healthy Environments

Ultimately, Thomas seeks to advance the field of healthcare by furthering discussions on healthy environments and healthy living. He seeks to increase access to healthy lifestyles and resources in rural, suburban, and urban communities. In his vision, healthcare facilities of the future will not resemble modern hospitals focused on reactive care but will provide proactive access to fitness, nutrition, and holistic care. Thomas also envisions a future where existing healthcare systems can be adapted into carbon neutral facilities, providing care for both patients and the planet.