Healthcare Design magazine is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Rising Star Awards.
Now in its ninth year, the annual awards program celebrates emerging professionals in healthcare design whose contributions and fresh perspectives are helping move the industry forward.
Introducing the 2026 Rising Stars
The 2026 Rising Stars honorees include:
- Justine Baltessen, senior interior designer, HDR
- Sally Castrianni, lead healthcare planner, Array Architects
- Gretchen Kelly, associate, medical planner and architect, Gensler
- Heejin Park, architect, HOK
- Hao Zhong, architect, EwingCole
Each year, Healthcare Design’s editors review dozens of nominations to determine the winners. Rising Star honorees have worked in healthcare design for fewer than 10 years and have a body of work over the past two years that collectively sets them apart from their peers.
Recognizing the 2026 Rising Stars
The honorees will be profiled in Healthcare Design’s October issue and recognized during a Magazine Awards Luncheon at the 2026 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, scheduled for Oct. 17-20 in New Orleans. Find updates and additional information on the 2026 HCD Conference + Expo here.
Nominations for the next Rising Star awards will open in spring 2027.
