Every year, on the plane ride home from the annual Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, I’m always abuzz with a mix of excitement and exhaustion.
After months and months of preparation and planning, the four-day event is a flurry of activity—delivering presentations, attending networking events and facility tours, checking out all the new products inside the ever-growing expo hall, and reconnecting with colleagues as well as making new industry connections. Professionally, it’s hard to imagine time better spent.
I know I’m not alone in valuing this experience, too. While scrolling through my LinkedIn feed at the airport, I came across a post from an attendee: “This year’s Healthcare Design Conference reminded me what it means to be surrounded by ‘your people.’ For me, this is: architects, engineers, and designers building better healthcare.”
Even more so, this idea of shared identity was a common theme throughout this year’s event.
Highlights from 2025 HCD Conference Keynotes
During his opening keynote, Jay Van Bavel, professor of psychology and neural science at New York University and author of “The Power of Us,” talked about how our identities are shaped and reshaped by the groups we belong to—and how coming together can help us advance the healthcare design industry.
“Who do we want to be?” he asked. “Think about the collective.”
The next day, Jamie Metzl took to the keynote stage to talk about adapting and integrating technology to impact the future of healthcare. Noting the pros and cons of more technology, including artificial intelligence, in the care environment, Metzl said he’s optimistic for the future while recognizing some potential dangers, such as privacy, cost, bias, and efficacy.
“The only way we’re going to figure out all of this is together,” he said.
Mentoring support for healthcare design
Finally, there was the idea of showing up for the next generation—from the acceptance speeches by the 2025 Rising Stars award winners, many of whom thanked colleagues for their support and guidance over the years, to the keynote panel discussion with association leaders on the state of the industry and their initiatives for addressing current challenges and opportunities.
“Partnership is so strong and important to the work we’re all doing,” said Tammy Thompson, director of experience engagement, education, and design at ECU Health, and president of the Institute for Patient-Centered Design, during the panel discussion.
These ideas of collaboration, togetherness, and mentorship are promising messages to end the year while also looking ahead to all that’s in store in 2026 and beyond.
Thanks to everyone involved (including the awesome team at Emerald) for making this year’s conference so meaningful and engaging.
Find updates and additional information on the 2025 HCD Conference + Expo here.
