MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Mike Arend, MHA, joins HDR as a Senior Health Strategist in the Minneapolis architecture studio. In this position, Arend will apply his understanding of the health care industry at the intersection of health care strategy, operations, facility planning, and development.

As Senior Health Strategist, Arend applies health delivery trends and innovations to strategic business planning and facility master planning efforts. In collaboration with HDR health principals, he will lead and coordinate pursuits and develop strategic client relationships serving as a liaison between client leadership and HDR’s architectural design teams.

With over 30 years of experience in professional health care leadership — approximately half in consulting and half in operational leadership roles — Arend has worked for, or consulted with, over 35 different health care organizations. Across this diverse portfolio of projects, he has led and partnered with senior leaders, physicians, architects, and other stakeholders — often serving as a bridge between these constituents.

Most recently, Arend served as Senior Strategic Advisor and Administrator for St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho, leading business planning across multiple service lines and maintaining full strategic and operational responsibility for the neuroscience and orthopedic service lines.

“Mike brings hands-on experience from the owner’s side in administrative roles that cross the intersection of strategy and health care delivery,” said Health Practice Leader Holly Madara. “We are excited to leverage his experience and insights to elevate HDR's services."

Arend earned both his bachelor’s degree in public health & business and master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota.