Name: Jessica Valdez
Hometown: Houston
Major: Bachelor of Architecture
Graduation Year: 2014
Employer: Page
Title: Project Healthcare Planner, Senior Associate

Why did you choose the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design? What drew you to design?
Growing up, I was obsessed with home makeover shows. They influenced my career path at a young age without me even realizing it. I was always very good at drawing and analyzing things. Architecture seemed like a natural fit, where creativity and expression could be applied into something that could take shape or form.

The Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design had a great program that was also NAAB accredited. Plus, it was local, which allowed me to stay close to my family for support.

What is one of your favorite memories from your time on campus? Was there a particular professor who influenced your education?
My favorite memory is the building itself, which felt like home for five years. I worked part time and lived in Atascocita. So, I would travel from Atascocita to work in Northwest Houston, and then spend my afternoons and days off at the Hines College. It became my touchdown place.

The college's study abroad program was another highlight, profoundly influencing my education. It opened my eyes to global perspectives and helped me understand cultural disparities. This experience sparked my interest in analyzing why things are done in certain ways in different regions, ultimately enhancing my understanding of planning.

Tell us about a typical day in your job. Do you have a particular design or business philosophy?
My typical day starts with a cup of coffee! I check emails and Teams messages, then prioritize meetings by preparing any necessary content. I usually work closely with the lead healthcare planner at Page.

As a healthcare planner, I get involved in the early stages of a project. We either take an existing program or create a new one, and we begin by laying out massing blocks. Throughout the schematic and design development phases, we meet with leadership and healthcare staff, typically holding three rounds of schematic design meetings and three rounds of design development meetings. Once we’ve gathered all design decisions, we dive into the construction drawings. These meetings aim to collect detailed information to ensure the project meets their goals and needs.

Collaborating with departmental staff is always a privilege. We work together to create spaces tailored to their needs while keeping the patient experience in mind. We prioritize every step of the patient journey. From arrival to discharge, we focus on streamlining patient flow and enhancing accessibility and wayfinding.

For staff, we aim to design spaces that optimize adjacencies for their daily workflows. Every step and detail matters, and our planning process is deliberate in generating optimal facility layouts, which is why analyzing and studying multiple iterations is so important.

What is one career accomplishment of which you are particularly proud? How do you feel the College prepared you for this?
What sets me apart and has helped me reach my current role is my ability to adapt to any project. I have demonstrated versatility that has made me stand out as a designer and healthcare planner on projects ranging from small renovations to large-scale greenfield hospitals, working through several phases of design. I typically collaborate with large project teams where effective communication is crucial, especially given the intricate coordination required in healthcare projects.

In my role, I focus on generating floor plans from scratch, transforming ideas into functional designs. This involves collaborating closely with project teams and utilizing my adaptability to create innovative solutions tailored to each project’s goals and needs.

The Hines College prepared me by challenging me to find innovative design solutions through studying and analyzing different design concepts. My education experience made me detail-oriented and purposeful in my work. The software skills I developed during my studies also made me tech-savvy, allowing me to embrace new design technologies in a world where tech is ever-evolving. Although there wasn’t a healthcare-specific program, I leveraged these skills to distinguish myself as a "Rising Star" in the field, which has become one of my greatest accomplishments to date.

What is one valuable lesson you learned during your time at the Hines College?
There is no single "correct" way to design. Imagination is limitless, and multiple iterations are often necessary before arriving at a final outcome. However, every design decision should have a purpose. It's essential to be mindful of the reasons behind each choice.

What advice would you give to current architecture and design students?
Find your passion! We focus on becoming great designers and view architecture as a whole. However, architecture has many branches, and there is so much more to explore. One can choose to be a project manager, project architect, planner, designer, BIM specialist, sustainability specialist, or even a researcher under different specialties.

In my case, I was unaware that healthcare planning even existed when I was in school. I never imagined I would design hospitals, thinking they were rigid and dull, with no real design elements. Today, I've discovered a passion for healthcare, in particular planning, and realized that design exists in every detail, shape, and form. I firmly believe that everyone will find their niche when the time comes. I found joy and excitement from designing healing environments for people to experience. Passion is a significant driver in any career path you choose.

Connect with Jessica: LinkedIn