RICHMOND, VA — Sandy Tkacz, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, NCARB, has been named U.S. East Region Health Director for HDR’s architecture practice. In this role, she will serve as the Health Practice Leader for the Boston, New York, Princeton, Arlington, Richmond, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Tampa architecture studios to oversee client relationships development and continue her work as a planner and architect on strategic projects.

After joining HDR in 2014 as the U.S. West Region Health Director based in Los Angeles, Tkacz blazed the trail for a brand new HDR architecture studio in Richmond, Virginia, where she served as Health Principal and expanded HDR’s presence in the area by earning the trust of and providing design services for several clients.

“As a planner, architect, patient, and a health practice leader I am invested in growing our health practice and working with our team to continue to advance design excellence and innovation," Tkacz said. "The last six months serving as Interim Director has been a privilege, and I am excited to continue working with our eastern U.S. team to advance care delivery that promotes health and well-being on a global scale and in our local communities.”

With over 26 years of experience working with academic medical centers, community and regional hospitals, ambulatory facilities, master planning, and women and children’s hospitals, Tkacz brings a broad national health care perspective to the East Coast and an understanding of how to collaborate across expertise to deliver the most advanced and innovative health care facilities.

“Sandy’s leadership and proven success as West Region Director of Health and Health Principal for our newest studio in Richmond have grown our impact on the health care industry as a firm,” said HDR Global Director of Health Hank Adams, AIA, FACHA, EDAC. “I am confident that she will lead our East region health practice with a focus that will continue the region’s legacy of success and innovation in health care design.”

Tkacz earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at the Parsons School of Design New York and a master's degree in architecture at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.