Derr, who transferred here from Ellerbe’s Washington, D.C., office 18 months ago, is leading the firm’s successful health sciences expansion in the Bay Area and throughout the West Coast. He has been working with client Sutter Health of Sacramento on plans for future facilities.

“Today’s patients have increasingly high expectations for the quality of their healthcare,” he said. Derr is well equipped to meet those expectations, drawing upon 30 years of professional experience in health care facility planning, design and management.

While in DC, he was an integral part of the firm’s East Coast health sciences practice. His project credits include the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Replacement Hospital in Charlottesville; expansion of the Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Va; Princess Margaret Hospital for the Marlboro Health Trust in Swindon, U.K.; and the master plan and expansion of the American University Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

One of the country’s oldest and largest design firms, Ellerbe Becket is perhaps best known for its expertise in health sciences and wellness. The firm created the world’s first private practice clinics (the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.) in 1914 and continues to enjoy a close working relationship with Mayo today.

In California, healthcare organizations are scrambling to meet guidelines set forth by the Office of Statewide Health and Planning Development. Derr says California healthcare organizations need designers to be strategic business partners. “We must provide the client with a functional, attractive building that addresses their core business model and provides healing environments for their patients,” he said.

A graduate of Ohio University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture.

An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering and the construction industry with office locations worldwide.

Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com