Perkins&Will Appoints Laura Morris as Regional Health Practice Leader for the Northeast

The Northeast’s cities are home to some of the world’s most renowned academic medical centers. Along the I-95 corridor, various regional health systems also play a crucial role in providing essential care to less urban communities. Many of these institutions, founded in the late 19th or early 20th centuries, now face decisions about renovating older buildings to keep up with technological advancements, consolidating or connecting existing campus infrastructure, and expanding to meet the health needs of an aging population.

Looking ahead at the future of healthcare in the region, Morris notes that collaboration with both academic medical centers and regional providers will be essential for supporting healthy communities. She identifies growing financial pressures, such as reduced funding for research, reimbursement, and capital investment, as key concerns for healthcare providers.

“Perkins&Will is proud to maintain strong partnerships with many world-class institutions in our region,” says Bill Harris, regional managing director for the Northeast. “With market uncertainty, a trusted partner for future planning is more important than ever. Laura is more than just a great designer; she’s an experienced planner and a trusted resource for our clients.”

Perkins&Will is consistently recognized as one of the top “Healthcare Giants” by Interior Design magazine. The firm has a strong global health practice covering specialized areas such as behavioral health, women’s health, rehabilitation, and cancer care. Recent award-winning projects in the Northeast include the Malone Family Tower at Maine Medical Center, a patient tower focused on cardiac care in Portland, ME; the University of Rochester Medical Center Saunders Center, a comprehensive orthopedic surgery and outpatient clinic in Henrietta, NY; and Whitman-Walker Health’s Max Robinson Center, a community health clinic specializing in HIV treatment and prevention in Washington, D.C.

As a practice leader, Morris believes that great design stems from exceptional teams. She focuses on team dynamics through mentorship and fosters a passion for healthcare design by providing essential tools for success and encouraging lifelong learning. Her teams are currently working on master plans, complex adaptive reuse conversions of office to surgical outpatient facilities, and multi-phased renovations in existing inpatient settings.

“From renovations and expansions to campus planning and advisory services, our healthcare design teams are highly versatile,” says Marie Henson, Perkins&Will firmwide health practice leader. “Laura’s work consistently advances our health practice. Her dedication to her team, her clients, and delivering the highest quality work shines through.”

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About Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. The firm is committed to creating a better, beautiful, more equitable world through Living Design, an approach that integrates environmental, social, and design considerations to advance ecological health and well-being. Interior Design named Perkins&Will a “Sustainability Giant” in 2024; Architizer named it the world’s “Best Sustainable Firm” in 2023; and Metropolis named it “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making Perkins&Will the first architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction.

With an international team of more than 2,500 professionals, Perkins&Will has over 30 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; McLennan Design; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).