Ronald L. Skaggs
Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, FACHA, with 35 years of experience, is chairman of HKS, Inc. In addition to directing overall
activities of the firm, Ron serves as principal-in-charge of various health care projects. He has been actively engaged
in the design of over 500 health and health-related institutions including hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities,
and medical and dental schools.
He is a registered architect in 15 states and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Ron served as president of the American Institute of Architects in 2000. Additionally, he has served on numerous
boards and committees throughout his career. He is currently a member of the Board of Regents of the American
Architectural Foundation.
Relevant experience includes:
University of Texas; M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Bertner Complex
Houston, Texas
530-bed tower, research building and outpatient services;
Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
450-bed replacement hospital;
LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
583,000 sf addition and renovation to an existing facility
Mercy Health Center, Laredo, Texas
400-bed replacement hospital and ambulatory care facilities
Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Virginia
340-bed replacement hospital
Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, Virginia
320-bed replacement hospital
St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, California
350,000 sf replacement hospital
George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
417,000 sf healthcare facility
Education
Master of Architecture in Health Facility Planning and Design,
Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Architecture,
Texas A&M University
Diploma in Health Care Administration from U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences
Registration
Texas, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, New Mexico, Michigan, South
Carolina, Washington, DC, Iowa, Idaho and Nebraska
Affiliations
Past President, AIA
Fellow-American College of Healthcare Architects
Fellow-American Institute of Architects
Fellow--Health FacilityInstitute
Past President, Forum for Health Care Planning and Academy of Architecture for Health
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE:
Perspectives from Practice,Teaching and Research
by Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, FHFI, Past President of the AIA — 2000 Chairman HKS Architects Inc. Dallas, Texas and
Adjunct Professor of Architecture Texas A&M University and George J. Mann, AIA The Ronald L. Skaggs Endowed
Professor of Health Facilities Design College of Architecture, Texas A&M University and President - GUPHA - Global
University Programs in Healthcare Architecture
I. BACKGROUND
In recent years a Megatrend in the United States has been toward the design of "Centers of Excellence".
"Centers of Excellence" concentrate highly qualified physicians, nurses and allied health professionals and health
facility and technology focusing in on delivering the best health care to a specific disease, gender, or age group.
Driving this specialization are the causes of illness and death, emphasis on specialization through prospective
payment, and consumer demand for the highest quality care. These will be briefly discussed in the introduction.
This presentation will focus on the architectural impact of the concepts driving the establishment of "Centers of
Excellence" and then share the latest projects from practice as well as education and research.
II. CASE STUDIES FROM ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Illustrations of "Centers of Excellence" that have been completed will be presented by Mr. Skaggs.
These selected projects will include:
Selected Mega Facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom
University of North Carolina Hospital including Neuropsychiatric Facilities, Women and Children's Hospital
Freestanding "Centers of Excellence":
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
Minneapolis Heart Center, Minneapolis
ER One Trauma Center, Washington,D.C.(short video)
Children's Hospital, Seattle Washington
Newington Children's Hospital, Newington, Conn.
Mary Birch Women's Hospital, San Diego, California
Psychiatric Hospital, Kahi Mohalo, Honolulu, Hawaii
Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital, San Antonio, Texas
USAA Facility for the Elderly, San Antonio, Texas
III. CASE STUDIES OF RESEARCH AND DESIGN PROJECTS
Professor Mann will present the latest research and design projects undertaken together with his students at Texas
A&M University. They will include:
Research
Women and Children's Facilities
Rehabilitation facilities for the Aged
Alzheimer's Facilities
Mega Hospitals
MUHC-McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
Scott and White Hospital, Temple, Texas
Heart Center, Ft.Worth, Texas
Cancer Centers, Houston, Texas and Savannah, Georgia
Women and Infants Specialty Hospital, Dallas, Texas
Rehabilitation Center, Flowood, Miss.
Regional Trauma Center, Miami Florida
ER One Trauma Center, Washington Hospital Center Washington, D.C.
ERV/A - Emergency Response Vehicles / Ambulance
HRCA- Hebrew Rehabiliation Center for Aged,- Boston, Mass
"SURGE" Hospitals