Page 18 - CANNABIS NEWS FL MARCH 2022

HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

Frida Dunayer Handles Challenges of Healthcare Interior Design

BY LOIS THOMSON They work on one side of the that doesn't affect our decision of how we contracts with some medical facilities and
building to minimize the dis- design the building. It doesn't matter what government institutions, which usually
With her 30 years of ruption, and then on the the specialty, we try to do our best – look- run two to three years. One project that
experience in interior other. "We normally work it wise, function-wise. We try to design was just finished and is operational is
design – the past 21 with like that. It takes longer, but within the budget but not sacrifice in BARC, Broward Addiction Rehabilitation
Saltz Michelson Architects that's the way to deal with looks. The expense is inside the medical Center, for Broward County; and another
–Frida Dunayer under- construction in a building facility because of equipment, special under construction, also in Broward, is the
stands the difficulties that that never closes." needs. Outside, to make a building attrac- sexual assault facility for women and chil-
can arise in designing Once the design is finished, tive, we can use different materials or we dren. Additionally, following the renova-
healthcare facilities. As she the construction begins, but can use different colors with paint and cre- tion of an assisted living facility, the firm
pointed out, "The environ- there has been change in that ate the same effects. It's really not difficult was given the opportunity to do three
ment we create for the area over the past few years. to design great buildings outside with a more such buildings. "Assisted living facil-
patient is more important Frida Dunayer Dunayer said, "Currently, all low budget." ities provide residence and basic medical
(there) than in other the new normals are a reality; Dunayer said Saltz Michelson is able to attention to elderly. The occupants usually
fields." because of COVID, the challenges are handle projects of all sizes; and that over stay temporarily to be treated for minor
Dunayer, director of interior design, mostly financial in the case of construc- the past five years, approximately 60 per- rehabilitation matters."
explained some of the specifics: "When we tion – and the challenge of not being able cent of the work has been new structures. Another of Saltz Michelson's clients is
are talking about different kinds of illness- to get materials. Many of the constructions "Before, maybe 30 percent were new the Seminoles. Dunayer said they just fin-
es and treatments (for patients), we have have to make sure that they are not going buildings and the rest were renovations ished a project for the Immokalee commu-
to deal with the equipment and systems to have any problems budget-wise, so they and additions. Now it's been different, and nity in central Florida. "We designed a
necessary for successful medical treat- increase the price even though it is not it's been better." She explained that even medical clinic, a behavioral Health Center,
ment. For example, air conditioning has a necessary. We have found several cases though renovations and additions are a police station, a fire station, and an emer-
big impact in the design of a building like that. Even though the price of materi- smaller in size, they can sometimes cause gency operation building in case of disas-
because of the need to maintain the als has not increased, the constructors add more difficulty than a new building. ter. They are trying to organize all services
required temperature and cleanliness. an additional percentage because they are "When you start construction you find so for the community on a single campus."
Functionality of all the spaces is the main trying to predict prices three months in many conditions that are hidden that you Whatever challenges are taking place,
goal for us to reach." the future." have to go back to the design. Meanwhile, Saltz Michelson – and Frida Dunayer – are
She also talked about working on hospi- While some of Saltz Michelson's build- the construction is already underway." able to handle them.
tals, where patient health and safety takes ings are spectacular in their design, the That can result in friction between the
priority. "Let's say we are doing a full ren- healthcare facilities usually do not exhibit design and construction teams. For more information,
ovation of a hospital. We design the proj- extravagance. Dunayer agreed that some The firm's clients are a mixture, and call (954) 266-2700 or visit
ect considering different phases, according clients like their buildings to stand out, include both public works and private. www.saltzmichelson.com.
to the demand for the rooms in each case." but for others, "it's not as important. And Dunayer said they are fortunate to have

Good Samaritan Medical Center

Brings New Technology and Services

to the Newly Redesigned Norma E.

& Miles M. Zisson Comprehensive

Breast Center of the Palm Beaches

Good Samaritan Medical
Center part of the Palm Beach
Health Network, announces a
new look and new equipment in
the redesigned Norma E. &
Miles M. Zisson Comprehensive
Breast Center of the Palm
Beaches. The Palm Beach Health
Network invested nearly a quar-
ter of a million-dollars into the
center, bringing a sleek and calm
aesthetic look, along with some
of the newest high-end technolo-
gy for patients being treated for
their breast health.
Some of the new additions to
the center include:
• The Genius 3D Mammo -
graphy™ exam with Hologic Clarity HD – This technology generates images of the
breast that are sharper and even more detailed so a cancer can be detected earlier,
when it is easier to treat. It also cuts down on unnecessary follow-up appointments
by up to 40% compared to 2D imaging alone. It also produces images quicker so less
time for the patient to have their breast under compression
• Affirm Breast Biopsy Guidance System – This system allows doctors to quickly
perform 3D breast biopsies on patients and accurately target regions of interest for a
breast biopsy assisting in breast cancer detection.
• Supersonic Mach 40 Ultrasound – The Ultrasound system gives the highest reso-
lution images of patients to enhance diagnostic certainty, regardless of tissue density.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com March 2022 31