This post is in a series where we talk to healthcare interior designers about their work as interior designers in the healthcare market. Kelley Dorsett is a Senior Interior Designer at HDR. She is certified by the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID).

What is one book, person, or talk that has been most influential in your career?

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and the Netflix Documentary, She Did That.

What products have you been excited about recently?

Custom EnviroLeather™ You can customize colors and patterns on an environmentally friendly material that can stand up to harsh cleansers in a hospital.

Liquid Linoleum®

Indigo-Clean® disinfection lights

DESIGNFlex lighting integration with Armstrong ceilings

Arktura SoftGrid® acoustical systems

Eyedog.US navigation app for mobile phone assists in wayfinding on hospital visits

Do you have any go-to design solutions or techniques for creating healing environments?

I try to listen first to the client to really access their needs and how I can influence operational changes that in turn affect the patient satisfaction and outcomes. A beautiful new facility can only go so far without changing from within as well. Biophilia and intuitive wayfinding are always incorporated as well.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

Take more risks and learn as much as you can.

What is one product that doesn't exist but should?

How much time do you have... (1) A perforated porcelain panel that has acoustical properties. (2) A cushioned slip resistant sheet flooring that can be used in a shower.

We've also talked to Michelle Clark (REES Associates), Jennifer Fink (BDA Architects), Lindsay Hampton (Pulse Design Group), Melinda Avila-Torio (THW Design), Lilliana Alvarado (UPHEALING), Ashleigh Pfluger (TJNG Partners Inc.), Jane Rohde (JSR Associates), John DuBard (Boulder Associates), Lisa Cini (Mosaic Design Studio), Susan Clark (Clark Patterson Lee), Crystal Hill (Odell Associates), Dr. Debra Harris (RAD Consultants), Libby Laguta (L2D.Design), Kristin Ellingsen (Office Furniture Group), Kimberly Bernheimer (PF&A Design), Melissa Perry (Inventure), Christin Troutman (MCA), Keith Stanton (Thoma-Holec Design), and Clairanne Pesce (Array Architects).

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