Lauren Cole
System Director of Design StrategyProvidence Health & ServicesLauren has an extensive background in healthcare-focused design, with undergraduate and graduate training in design. She holds two BFAs and an MS in Interior Design with a focus on Environmental Psychology. Her graduate research examined the impact of COVID-19 on perceptions of safety in clinical workplaces. An evidence-based design practitioner, Lauren believes strong design outcomes are grounded in data, science, and business objectives. She currently leads the Planning and Design team for Providence Health’s Central Division, creating spaces that support caregivers, patients, and organizational mission.
E26 – Designing Tomorrow’s Healthcare: A Multifaceted Approach to Building Resilient Environments
Join us for an inspiring panel featuring four trailblazing women with unique expertise in healthcare design, strategy, activation planning, simulation…Join us for an inspiring panel featuring four trailblazing women with unique expertise in healthcare design, strategy, activation planning, simulation, and patient safety as they explore building resilient healthcare environments. This session examin…Join us for an inspiring panel featuring four trailblazing women with unique expertise in healthcare design, strategy, activation planning, simulation, and patient safety as they explore building resilient healthcare environments. This session examines the intersection of strategic foresight, interior design, clinical operations, transition/activation, and continuous process improvement to redefine how spaces are planned, activated, sustained, an…Join us for an inspiring panel featuring four trailblazing women with unique expertise in healthcare design, strategy, activation planning, simulation, and patient safety as they explore building resilient healthcare environments. This session examines the intersection of strategic foresight, interior design, clinical operations, transition/activation, and continuous process improvement to redefine how spaces are planned, activated, sustained, and equipped to provide exemplary care. Panelists will delve into how aligning strategic foresight with clinical insight through design thinking can create future-ready spaces that foster belonging and are adaptable, inclusive, and responsive to evolving care needs. Drawing from extensive real-world experience in activation and transition planning, speakers will highlight how thoughtful, clinically informed decisions translate seamlessly from concept through activation and move-in and how standardized processes and tools preserve design intent while supporting safe, efficient transitions in both new and operational facilities. The discussion will emphasize the importance of integrating patient safety and clinical insights into design through human factors and simulation, ensuring environments prioritize functionality, safety, and operational excellence. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to support resilient, human-centered healthcare environments that place patients, families, and staff at the center of every design decision. Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
E74 – Designing for Resilience: Reimagining the Emergency Department for Patients and Caregivers
Emergency departments are the front door of healthcare and often the first point of contact for patients navigating crisis, vulnerability, and uncerta…Emergency departments are the front door of healthcare and often the first point of contact for patients navigating crisis, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Providence Portland Medical Center undertook a nine-phase renovation and vertical expansion of…Emergency departments are the front door of healthcare and often the first point of contact for patients navigating crisis, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Providence Portland Medical Center undertook a nine-phase renovation and vertical expansion of its two-story emergency department (ED) to address growing patient volumes, behavioral health needs, and staffing burnout and retention challenges—while remaining fully operational 24/7. The project …Emergency departments are the front door of healthcare and often the first point of contact for patients navigating crisis, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Providence Portland Medical Center undertook a nine-phase renovation and vertical expansion of its two-story emergency department (ED) to address growing patient volumes, behavioral health needs, and staffing burnout and retention challenges—while remaining fully operational 24/7. The project was grounded in a deep understanding of the ED’s most complex “super users,” including non-English speaking patients; individuals experiencing housing or food insecurity; transgender and immigrant communities; refugees; people with disabilities; the uninsured; elderly patients; and clinical professionals. Prioritizing safety, dignity, and trust shaped every design decision. A hardened second-floor expansion enables extended stays for behavioral health patients, while reconfigured workflows keep patients moving continuously through care, supporting caregiver resilience. Design strategies intentionally respond to the cultural and demographic context of East Portland, advancing equity and accessibility for the community it serves. Delivered within an existing facility, the project required close collaboration among hospital leadership, designers, contractors, and procurement constraints, and system integration. The expansion demonstrates how a super-user–driven, phased approach can improve patient experience, support staff retention, and create resilient emergency departments that perform better for all users. Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
