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 2026 Board of Directors on January 1, 2026.
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 400 CHIDs across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Singapore.
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:
Stephanie Fallon, CHID, RID, IIDA, MS, transitions into the President role, continuing to guide the organization’s strategic direction. She has served on the AAHID Board since 2020 as a Director, Secretary/Treasurer, and President-Elect 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.
Megan McNally, CHID, CID, IIDA, EDAC, NCIDQ, moves into her role as AAHID Immediate Past President for 2026. She previously served on multiple committees, served as President for 2024-2025, and is passionate about promoting AAHID’s mission of certifying healthcare interior designers and architects qualified by education, examination, training, and experience. She will continue to offer counsel and leadership continuity. Megan is Director of Interior Design at Ryan Companies in Minneapolis, MN, where she leads a national healthcare interior design practice.
Melinda Avila-Torio, NCIDQ, RID, CHID, CASP, LEED AP, begins her term as President-Elect. Melinda is a Principal and Director of Interior Design at THW Design in Atlanta, GA. She has previously served on many AAHID Committees including the Test Development Committee and Industry Partners Committee. She has also served as AAHID Treasurer and 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, moves into the role of Treasurer. Miriam previously served as Secretary in 2025, on AAHID’s Application Review Committee, Test Development Committee, 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.
Antonio Amadeo, AIA, ACHA, CHID, LEED AP, EDAC, transitions from Director to Secretary, supporting the Board’s governance and records management. He has served on the Board since 2023 and has served as member and Board Liaison to the Test Development Committee and CHID Application Review Committee. He has over 27 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.
Lilliana Alvarado, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, continues her term 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 currently the Board Liaison to the AAHID Education & Events Committee. Her main focus is quality and finding innovative ways to create environments that enhance personal connections for people.
Ashleigh Cotter, CID, IIDA, LEED AP, BD+C, LSSYB, CHID, joins the AAHID Board as a new Director. She has been deeply engaged with AAHID through the Outreach Committee and served as Chair of the Education & Events Committee in 2025, where she played a key role in launching and strengthening the committee. As a Director, she will serve as Board Liaison to the Test Development Committee and continue her involvement with the Outreach Committee. Ashleigh is a Behavioral Health Consultant and Interior Designer with human eXperience.
Pam Franklin, CHID, CID, EDAC, IIDA, LSSBB, WELL AP, begins her term on the AAHID Board as a new Director as well. Pam has served the past three years on the Industry Partner Committee where she helped introduce innovative ideas that strengthened benefits for both Industry Partners and for CHIDs. As a Director, she will serve as Board Liaison to the Outreach Committee and as a member of the Appeals Committee. Pam is an Associate and Interior Designer at Grace Design Studios.
Sarah K. Harvey, CHID, CID, EDAC, NCIDQ, begins the third year of her term as Director and Board liaison to the Research Committee. She has served on the Board since 2024 in many capacities including Board Liaison to the Outreach Committee and member of the Nominating Committee and is currently employed at FCA in Philadelphia, PA as Associate, Sr. Interior Designer.
Ghina Itani, MBA, CHID, NCIDQ, ASID, EDAC, continues her term on the AAHID Board as Director. She has been active in many AAHID initiatives like serving as a Board Liaison on the Social Media and Marketing Committee. She will transition as a Board Liaison to the Industry Partners Committee and as a member of the CHID Application Review Committee. Creating healing environments that promote safety, mobility, and independence for 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.
Kelly Podkowa continues her service to AAHID as Executive Director. She has served as the Executive Director since May 2024.