Rachel Matthews has been with HKS, Inc. since July of 2017 and is a health facility planner and architect. Her passion for healthcare design is driven by personal experience in health facilities and her innate desire to serve patients, their families and clinical staff. Rachel holds a firm belief that some of the most life-changing moments happen in environments where healthcare is delivered and this propels her to provide personal service to her clients and teammates.
In 2019, Rachel was awarded the Next Generation Scholarship by the American Academy of Architecture for Health. Currently, she represents her peers in Denver on a corporate level within HKS, and enjoys offering insight to students and emerging professionals in the industry. Rachel has also has a certification as a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt with emphasis in healthcare design. She is active in her community as a former board member for Women in Healthcare Denver, a member of the AIA Colorado Academy of Architecture for Health, and serving in her local church.
EXPERIENCE.
2017 - Present | HKS, Inc. | Medical Planner | Programming, Medical Planning, Code Analysis and Review, SD-CD Documentation, Construction Administration, Proposal Development, Client Interviews, Business Development and Graphic Design
2015 - 2017 | Clemson University | Graduate Assistant | Research, Graphic Design, Project Management, Center for Health Facilities Design & Testing
2014 - 2015 | SZH Architecture | Architectural Designer | Project Coordination, K-12 Design Development, Construction Documents, Renovations
2014 | HDR, Inc. | Summer Architectural Intern | EP + Cath Lab Schematic Design, Lab Renovation, User Group Meetings
EDUCATION.
2015 - 2017 | Clemson University | Masters of Architecture + Health
2010 - 2014 | Texas A&M University | B.S. in Environmental Design - Minor in Business Administration
2012 | Santa Chiara Study Center | Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy | Study Abroad from September to December, Traversed 5 Countries
EXPERTISE.
Autodesk Revit | BlueBeam Revu | Adobe Suite | Microsoft Suite
User Group Meetings | Medical Planning | Project Organization | Human Connection | Teamwork | Operation Efficiencies | Passion for Service
ACTIVITIES & AWARDS.
2021 - Present | Forum Engagement Committee | HKS, Inc. | Internal Leader for Peers across Company, Representing Entire Peer Group
2019 - 2020 | Forum Representative Denver | HKS, Inc. | Internal Leader for Peers across Company, Representing Denver
2019 - 2021 | Next Gen Scholar | Academy of Architecture for Health | Scholarship recipient to attend and assist the AAH ACHA Summer Leadership Summit in Chicago
2019 - Present | Colorado Academy of Architecture for Health | Steering committee member and participant
2017 - 2021 | Women in Healthcare Denver Chapter | Communications committee member and participant | Board Member 20-21
2015 - 2017 | Graduate Assistantship | Clemson M.Arch+Health | Waived tuition, 10 work hours required per week (see above)
2015 | GHS Volunteer + Shadower | Shadowed at a number of Greenville Health System facilities as part of A+H Curriculum
2015 | Healthcare Design Conference Charrette Team | Clemson University's Team Member | Coordinator, Design Contributor, Formal Presentation
2011-2015 | Architecture in Schools (AIS) | AIA Brazos | Coordinator, educate 4th graders on value of architecture
2014 | Celebration of Excellence Winner | Texas A&M University | Award Top 4 Senior Integrated Studio Design Projects
2013 - 2014 | The Agency | Texas A&M College of Architecture | Coordination for NCARB Accreditation & College graphic design
2010-2014 | Hullabaloo Band | Texas A&M University | Band at volleyball & basketball games, Alto Saxophone, NCAA Tournament Travel