Tama Duffy Day to Present 'The Power of Design to Impact Health and Wellness' Lecture on Oct. 9

Rendering courtesy of Gensler

Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Central Campus Health Center, in Chicago.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tama Duffy Day will present a lecture at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, in Ken and Linda Sue Shollmier Hall, Room 250 of Vol Walker Hall, on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design lecture series.

Day, LEED AP, is an interior designer, strategist and translator who seeks to align business and operational strategies with the physical and social environment. A principal and Firmwide Health and Wellness practice area leader with Gensler in Washington, D.C., she leads teams and clients in leveraging the power of design to impact lives and enrich communities.

In her lecture, titled "The Power of Design to Impact Health and Wellness," Day will talk about how headlines consistently highlight the nation's challenges in healthcare and healthcare reform, both at local and national levels. The current surge in aging baby boomers is stretching traditional providers of senior care to breaking points, and research has shown that one's ZIP code can be the single most influential health predictor — more than cholesterol level, blood pressure or age.

In underserved communities, health care resources can be limited, resulting in challenges with accessing health information, decreased quality of life and lower life expectancy. Yet thoughtful and intentional design, at all scales, can positively impact the health and wellness of communities. Day will discuss these tremendous opportunities and show how design has played a role in systemic improvements. Her presentation will end with a lively discussion on how everyone has the power to make a difference.

Day is a frequent columnist, lecturer and spokesperson who has received more than 60 awards and honors for her work. For three consecutive years, she was named one of the "Most Influential People in Healthcare Design" by Healthcare Design magazine. Day is one of a few professionals to become a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, the International Interior Design Association and the American Society of Interior Designers.

She volunteers for a diverse group of organizations whose missions range from healthcare and academics to aging in place. She serves on the boards of Capitol Hill Village, the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and the CARITAS Project. Day is also on the editorial board of Medical Construction and Design magazine.

She received an M.F.A. in Interior Design Research from Marymount University and a B.S. in Interior Design from North Dakota State University. Both alma maters have recognized her with alumni achievement awards.

This lecture has been approved for health, safety and welfare continuing education credits through the American Institute of Architects.

The public is invited to attend. Admission is free, with limited seating.

For more information, contact 479-575-4704 or fayjones.uark.edu.