SLAM Principal, Karen Parzych, recently joined Carlota Rebelo on The Urbanist, a podcast by Monocle, to discuss how thoughtful design is helping to address one of the most persistent challenges in the U.S. today—the national nursing shortage.
As healthcare systems evolve and the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow, colleges and universities are responding by expanding and reimagining their nursing and health sciences programs. However, growth requires more than just enrollment; it necessitates spaces that inspire, educate, and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. That’s where architects come in.
In her conversation with The Urbanist, Karen explores how SLAM is collaborating with institutions to design state-of-the-art educational facilities that reflect real-world healthcare environments. These spaces not only enhance teaching and learning, but also attract top faculty and students—proving that, in many cases, “if you build it, they will come.”
Karen highlights several recent SLAM projects that bring this idea to life, indicating how design innovation supports both academic excellence and the healthcare workforce of the future.
Listen to the full conversation on The Urbanist podcast, and hear more about how architecture can be an influential tool in solving today’s nursing shortage while shaping tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.
