Thomas has over 19 years of architectural experience with a specialized focus on healthcare design. Thomas is currently a Principal at BSA and is committed to creating inspired solutions that improve lives by fostering health, wellness, and productivity. His journey in architecture has been driven by a passion for creating sustainable buildings and spaces that enhance the lives of their occupants and support the vital work they do. Thomas has a Bachelor of Architecture from Drury University and is currently co-chair of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Webinar Committee, chair of the AIA St. Louis Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program for 2025-2026 and is a board member of the Missouri SAVE Coalition.
Courses
Unlocking Challenges: Understanding Codes for Doors and Door Hardware in Health Care Environments
Specifically designed for healthcare architects and emerging professionals in healthcare design, this course offers a focused exploration of codes and regulations pertaining to doors and door hardware within healthcare facilities. The course will address the specific requirements for doors and hardware based on their use and occupancy, highlighting the critical need for highly durable, code-compliant, and safe solutions in hospitals. Key discussions will encompass essential aspects such as life safety, security, and long-term performance capabilities, detailing the basic regulatory requirements, various codes, and standards applicable to doors, especially those in a means of egress and their associated hardware. Attendees will gain insights into how door and hardware choices can impact design, learning practical tools for communicating door hardware and function, and discovering potential solutions for compliance to effectively prevent unintended code violations.
This session was recorded live on September 9, 2025.
Designing for Resilience: Strategies to Mitigate Risk in Hurricane-Prone Climates
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of hurricanes, healthcare facilities in coastal regions face growing pressure to remain operational during extreme weather events. This webinar explores the design and planning of a forward-thinking New Medical Campus (Health First Cape Canaveral Replacement Hospital, built to endure Category 4 hurricanes while delivering uninterrupted care.
Through the lens of this facility, architects (The Lawrence Group) and healthcare professionals will examine how resilient design imperatives—such as elevated construction, hardened building envelopes and integrated emergency planning—are essential in safeguarding public health in vulnerable regions.
Key topics include:
- Responding to a Changing Climate: How evolving environmental conditions shaped the design strategy
- Designing for Continuity: Architectural and operational systems that ensure care delivery during and after hurricanes
- Collaborative Preparedness: Partnering with public health and emergency management agencies to develop robust response plans
- Site-Specific Risk Mitigation: Evaluating and addressing vulnerabilities unique to coastal Florida
This session offers actionable insights for professionals designing healthcare campuses in hurricane-prone areas, emphasizing the need for adaptive, sustainable, and resilient solutions.
This session was recorded live on November 11, 2025.