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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is CHER and how is CHER different from The Center (CHD)?

There is no difference. They are the same organization. Before it became a part of The Center for Health Design in November 2006, CHER was a nonprofit organization founded by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) to promote health environments research. It left the Academy in 1999 to form an independent 501(c)3 corporation in order to allow other organizations to join with the founders in making the overall research effort more effective.

In its short history, CHER has completed or has underway nine nationally significant research studies. No small achievement for an organization staffed and directed by volunteers. As part of The Center, CHER can now draw from additional support and the resources of CHD and greatly enhance its efforts to add to the ever growing body of evidence-based design research.

How does the new structure work?
Under the new structure, the CHER's governing board has become the CHD CHER Research Committee. The CHER Research Council has become the CHD CHER Research Council. Most of the current CHER volunteers remain actively involved in these two groups, with participation by representatives from CHD's board of directors and staff.

Together, CHD and CHER have a much greater impact on the healthcare and design industry.

Who assures quality in the research that is done?
The CHD CHER Research Council consists of six experienced researchers, all with practice-based backgrounds. They help develop requests for proposals, select the appropriate team to conduct each research study, monitor the progress of research studies and critique the drafts of the final reports.

Representatives of four universities are included on the research committee with individuals drawn from the disciplines of architecture and nursing. The research committee assures that high standards for selecting researchers, research methodology and results reporting are maintained. The research committee also plays a significant role in setting the research agenda for CHD.

Where does the money for research studies come from?
We fund our research from a variety of sources: grants from foundations and non-profit organizations, private and corporate sponsorship and our own internal funding.

I'm looking for CHER research studies, where do I find them?
Visit our research reports page by clicking here.

What research studies are you currently working on?
Current CHD CHER projects underway include research papers on acoustics, falls, and errors, as well as a national survey to determine the 100 critical issues in healthcare environments, and an analysis of departmental square footage grossing factors.

To learn more about soon to be published studies, click here.

I'm interested in sponsoring a research study, who do I talk to?
To learn about how to sponsor a study or other sponsorship opportunities, click here.

I'm a CHER member and have paid my CHER membershipo dues for the coming year. Does this make me a CHD member now?
Current CHER dues-paying members automatically become Affiliate members of CHD.

I'm not a member. How do I get involved?
The Center for Health Design depends on support from the community we serve to help fund our work. You can formally show your support and by becoming a member of The Center for Health Design's Community of Affiliates. To join, click here.

The Center also has many sponsorship opportunities for companies who want to strategically market themselves by aligning with our mission. For more information, click here.

Do you have volunteer opportunities?
For information about volunteering for The Center, please contact Carolyn Quist, Project Manager.

Is CHD a non-profit organization?
We are a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation with twelve full-time staff members.

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