Designing Hospitals That Actually Heal: What Architects Get Wrong About Healthcare - Episode 139 with Emily McGee

May 27

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Emily McGee of Meadows & Ohly for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of healthcare design, public health, and the future of healing environments. With a unique background spanning architecture, global health, and healthcare real estate strategy, Emily shares how thoughtful design decisions can directly influence patient outcomes, staff well-being, and long-term community health.

From infection control and daylighting to healthcare workforce burnout, food systems, and health equity, the discussion explores the enormous complexity behind designing modern medical facilities that truly serve people. Emily also dives into the promise of mass timber, modular construction, digital twin technology, and how healthcare campuses can evolve into healthier, more resilient community anchors.

It’s an inspiring look at how great buildings don’t just treat illness — they actively support dignity, wellness, and human connection.

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More About Emily McGee

Emily McGee, Assoc. AIA, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED GA is redefining the relationship between architecture and public health as Senior Director of Planning at Meadows & Ohly, one of the nation's leading comprehensive healthcare real estate development firms. With 13+ years of experience spanning three continents, Emily brings a unique evidence-based approach to helping health systems plan, develop, and optimize healthcare facilities that serve their communities' needs.

Currently a Bloomberg American Health Initiative Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, Emily brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to healthcare facility planning. In her role, she helps health systems across the country synthesize their data, evaluate their real estate portfolios, identify future priorities, and make evidence-based capital investment decisions that improve health access and equity.

Emily holds a Master of Architecture + Health from Clemson University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Visual Communications from Ball State University. Her unique career trajectory spans from global health infrastructure development in Rwanda with Global Health Corps, to spending seven years as a medical planner at HOK designing award-winning facilities including the UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Mercy Pavilion and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center. Now at Meadows & Ohly, she helps advise a multitude of health system clients with their strategic facility master planning and facility growth initiatives.

Emily's thought leadership has been featured in Healthcare Design Magazine, Building Design & Construction, Architect Magazine, and the Alternative Design Podcast. Recognized as a 2019 Healthcare Design Rising Star, 2022 AIA Associate Award recipient, and 2025 BD+C 40 Under 40 honoree, Emily is a passionate advocate for health equity, universal design, and climate-conscious healthcare infrastructure. Beyond her consulting practice, Emily is committed to advancing the healthcare profession through service, mentorship and advocacy, currently as a board member for Women in Healthcare DC and on the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Scholarships and Fellowships Committee.

She is currently living in Washington DC with her husband, and outside of work enjoys balancing life as a new Mom!

CONTACT:

Personal Handles:

https://www.instagram.com/_emily_azar_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyelizabethmcgee/

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyElizabethMcGee

Professional Handles:

https://www.meadowsandohly.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/meadows-&-ohly-llc/

https://www.instagram.com/meadowsandohly/

Academic Handles:

https://americanhealth.jhu.edu/people/emily-mcgee