ATLANTA, Ga. — International architecture/engineering firm LEO A DALY welcomes Leslie M. Saunders, AIA, ACHA, as a healthcare market sector leader. In this role, he will be responsible for leading the firm’s Atlanta, Ga. healthcare team, identifying opportunities for new business in the eastern region, establishing client relationships and serving as one of the firm’s healthcare planning and design experts.
Saunders has more than 30 years of architecture and planning experience specializing in healthcare and academic projects. Prior to joining LEO A DALY, he served as a senior healthcare planner for Flad Architects and senior medical planner for HKS, Inc. His experience includes five years in a client role where he served as director, office of capital planning and space management, for Georgia Institute of Technology.
Saunders has worked on award-winning healthcare facilities for clients in Georgia and around the country. Some of his notable clients in Georgia include Emory Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Northside Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Grady Health System, Northeast Georgia Health System, Athens Regional Medical Center, Houston County Medical Center and Gwinnett Medical Center.
“Saunders’ background enables him to perceive a problem and its solutions from the viewpoints of the designer, user and the owner,” said Jerry Voith, managing principal of LEO A DALY’s Atlanta office. “We are looking forward to leveraging his expertise to solve the various challenges faced by healthcare organizations today.”
“Saunders has served a prominent role in the planning for healthcare services at both the national and regional level,” said Archie Aamoth, LEO A DALY’s corporate director of healthcare programs. “We are enthusiastic about the unique set of skills he brings to both our current and prospective clients.”
Saunders received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from Clemson University. He is a registered architect, is NCARB certified and a LEED accredited professional. He is a founding member of the American College of Healthcare Architects and has spoken extensively around the country on various topics in healthcare and campus planning.
