The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID), the independent, not-for-profit corporation responsible for administering the Certified Healthcare Interior Designer (CHID) examination, transitioned to their 2025 Board of Directors on January 1, 2025.
The CHID credential is the industry’s recognized indicator of excellence, commitment, and knowledge within acute, ambulatory and residential care facility design. There are more than 370 CHIDs across the United States and Canada.
The AAHID Board of Directors is committed to fostering positive change, while creating the best environments for healthcare delivery and healing. AAHID calls upon the proficiency and expertise of healthcare design professionals to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The following volunteers continue this work in the coming year:
Megan McNally, CHID, CID, IIDA, EDAC, NCIDQ, continues in her role as AAHID President for 2025. Megan is employed by Ryan Companies in Minneapolis, MN where she is the Director of Interior Design. She previously served on multiple committees and is passionate about promoting AAHID’s mission of certifying healthcare interior designers and architects qualified by education, examination, training, and experience.
Sandy Goodman, CHID, IIDA, EDAC, LEED AP, LLSSBB, continues her role as Immediate Past President. She has served on the AAHID Board since 2019 as a Director, Secretary/Treasurer, President-Elect, and President and has also served on many different AAHID Committees. Sandy is President of CRGA Design, an architecture and interior design firm specializing in healthcare design with offices in Baltimore, MD, Pinehurst, NC, Charleston, SC and Central Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Fallon, CHID, IIDA, MS, continues her role as President-Elect. She has served on the AAHID Board since 2020 as a Director and Secretary/Treasurer and has participated on many committees including Chairing the Industry Partners Committee and Marketing & Social Media Committee. Stephanie is the Director of Interiors and an Associate Partner at PhiloWilke Partnership in Houston, TX and strives to create results-driven healthcare interiors through thoughtful inquiry and intuitive listening.
Melinda Avila-Torio, NCIDQ, RID, CHID, CASP, LEED AP, begins her term as Treasurer. Melinda is the Principal and Sr. Interior Designer at THW Design in Atlanta, GA. She has previously served on many AAHID Committees and as AAHID Secretary. She is an educator, activist and public speaker recognized as a prominent voice for more inclusive and ethical design for all.
Miriam M. Ganesh, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, LEED AP, NCIDQ, joins the AAHID Board as Secretary. Miriam previously served on AAHID’s Outreach and Research & Education Committee and is the Director of Interior Design|Associate at RLF Architecture Engineering Interiors in Orlando, FL. With a profound passion for design, Miriam is deeply committed to promoting well-designed environments that enhance the well-being of both patients and staff.
Lilliana Alvarado, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, joins as a Director on the AAHID Board. Lilliana founded UPHEALING in Bedford, NH with a mission to create uplifting and engaging spaces for healthcare environments. Lilliana has served as Chair of the AAHID Outreach Committee and is now stepping into the new Education & Events Committee Board Liaison role. Her main focus is quality and finding innovative ways to create environments that enhance personal connections for people.
Antonio Amadeo, AIA, ACHA, CHID, LEED AP, EDAC, continues his term as Director and Board liaison to the Test Development Committee. He has over 26 years of experience in healthcare design and is currently the President/CEO of LDC International, Inc. in Tampa, FL. He has a keen understanding of healthcare facilities with a focus on complex multi-phased renovations.
Sarah K. Harvey, CHID, CID, EDAC, NCIDQ, continues her term as Director and Board liaison to the Outreach Committee. She also serves on the AAHID Research Committee. Sarah is currently employed at FCA in Philadelphia, PA as Associate, Sr. Interior Designer.
Ghina Itani, MBA, CHID, NCIDQ, ASID, EDAC, joins the AAHID Board as Director and Board liaison to the Marketing & Social Media Committee. Creating healing environments that promote safety, mobility and independence to patients gives her true satisfaction, knowing that she is making a difference in someone’s life by improving their living spaces. Ghina is the founder and Principal at Itani Design Concepts since 2007, and is located in Southern California
Marie Lukaszeski, CHID, continues her term as Director and Board liaison to the Research Committee. She is currently a Director, Planning/Design/Property at Ochsner Lafayette General in Lafayette, LA.
Kelly Podkowa continues her service to AAHID as Executive Director. She has served as the Executive Director since May 2024.