After launching two small businesses—including her own design firm—to survive the Great Recession, Bronson joined Hoefer Welker in 2014 and found her home in healthcare design. Here, she discusses using design to spark joy, the importance of addressing simple details, and why she typically ends up in the middle seat on plane rides.
What do you like best about working in healthcare design?
I love how design influences joy. The military healthcare projects I typically work on are close to my heart because my husband, father, and grandfather were in the armed services and I like contributing to the welfare and healing of our soldiers. My first thought on those projects is, “Will my ‘joy sensors’ make me want to step inside after this is built?”
Why do you think it’s important for healthcare spaces to spark joy?
For me, joy is an attitude that transcends circumstance, but studies show that our environment can influence joy. Lighting, noise levels, temperature, color palettes, and access to the outdoors are a few of the elements that can have a significant impact on a patient’s healing journey.
“Outside the office, you’ll likely find me …”
Hanging out with my hubby and kiddo, at church, having brunch with my friends, or at Walmart because I’m all about one-stop shopping.
Name three healthcare design projects you’ve worked on in the last year:
1. Sheppard Air Force Base Medical/Dental Clinic, Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas
2. Saint Luke’s Health Clinic renovation and addition, Kansas City, Mo.
3. The University of Kansas Health System Proton Therapy Center, Kansas City, Kan.