Indianapolis, IN - September 2024 — Carolina, a leader in healthcare furniture for over 80 years, is proud to announce its participation as the Presenting Sponsor for the sixth consecutive year at the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo (HCD), the premier event for healthcare design professionals. Held from October 5-8, HCD provides an unmatched opportunity for attendees to discover the latest in healthcare design trends and innovations, while Carolina continues to inspire with its forward-thinking approach to healthcare furniture.
This year, Carolina is letting inspiration guide the design of both the booth and the products showcased, creating a visually different and more thought-provoking space than ever before. Attendees can expect to see cutting-edge solutions for healthcare environments that go beyond aesthetics to deliver functional, human-centered designs.
"Innovative healthcare design goes beyond visual appeal. Our approach is holistic and patient-centered, but also considers the well-being and efficiency of caregivers," said Stan Gray, VP of Healthcare at Carolina. "I’m incredibly excited for this year’s show, where we’ll not only debut new products like the Offshore, but also share insights and strategies that will help the healthcare community continue to thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders and showcase the forward-thinking design innovations we’ve been working on at Carolina."
Join Carolina's HCD After-Party – A Surreal Experience with “DALI ALIVE”
Carolina invites all attendees to an exclusive after-party event on October 6th from 7:30 to 10:30 PM at The LUME Indianapolis, located at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. As part of the evening's festivities, guests will be treated to DALI ALIVE — an immersive visual art experience showcasing the surreal works of Salvador Dalí. Known for his dreamlike scenes and innovative artistry, Dalí's creations will come to life through vivid projections and an evocative musical score, transforming the gallery into a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of color and movement.
Guests will enjoy food stations, handcrafted cocktails, and a chance to mingle with industry leaders while Salvador Dalí’s art unfolds across every surface. Complimentary shuttles will be provided from the Indianapolis Convention Center to the event.
"Our space at HCD this year showcases forward-thinking solutions for guests, patients, and caregivers, while exploring intentional approaches to healthcare design," added Lauren Morgan, Carolina’s Brand Manager. "The Dali Alive event aligns perfectly with this vision, as it encourages us to think beyond traditional boundaries and immerse ourselves in creativity—just as we aim to do with our innovative healthcare solutions."
HCD Conference Session: Resilience Renewed - Rethinking Rural and Community Healthcare Design
In addition to exhibiting, Carolina will host a conference session titled "Resilience Renewed: Rethinking Rural and Community Healthcare Design through Clinician Perspectives" on October 7th from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM. Moderated by Stan Gray, VP of Healthcare at Carolina, the session will feature expert clinicians from the Nursing Institute of Healthcare Design (NIHD), including Elizabeth Johnson, Assistant Professor at Montana State University, Lynn Aguilera, Executive Director at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, and Stacy Mockridge, Healthcare Planner and Clinical Operations Specialist at Progressive AE.
Together, they will explore how healthcare design can address the unique needs of rural and frontier communities. This timely conversation will focus on improving equity, inclusivity, and resiliency in healthcare spaces, incorporating cultural traditions and community participation into design solutions.
"Rural and frontier communities face unique challenges in healthcare, and design can play a powerful role in addressing these disparities. At Carolina, we believe that healthcare environments should not only support patient care but also reflect the cultural values and needs of the communities they serve. This session will provide valuable insights into how thoughtful design can create more equitable and resilient spaces," said Stan Gray, VP of Healthcare at Carolina.
New Product Launches at HCD:
Offshore Sleepover Sofa + Pull up table
Carolina is also excited to introduce Offshore, designed by Achella Designs, at HCD. Engineered for demanding hospital environments, the Offshore sleepover sofa & pull up table combines aesthetic innovation with intentional functionality, offering caregivers and loved ones a supportive and comfortable place to rest during hospital stays.
"More and more studies show just how important a good night’s rest is, not only mentally but physically. Hospitals can be inherently stressful environments, so our goal with Offshore was to design the best sleep experience possible," stated Achella Design.
The Offshore Sleepover Sofa features a soft, hygienic sleep surface made from polyurethane-coated fabric, designed to withstand the rigors of hospital use while providing maximum comfort.
“A patient room sleepover sofa isn’t just a place to get some rest, it also serves as the user's temporary workspace, closet, and bedside table for the duration of their loved one's hospital stay, said Achella Design. “Designing Offshore to be amenity-rich, to support the user's individual needs was important to us.”
Carolina Showcases Elara and Prologue at HCD
In addition to the Offshore Sleepover Sofa, Carolina is excited to showcase two other standout product lines at this year's Healthcare Design Conference + Expo: Elara and Prologue.
Elara modular lounge
Named after the moon in Greek, Elara’s enveloping curves and wide frame make it a dynamic seating solution ideal for behavioral health, healthcare, senior living, and workplace environments. Designed by Thijs Smeets, Elara offers a perfect balance of comfort, durability, and cleanability. This year, the Elara modular lounge expands the collection with new shapes, tables, and power options, providing even more possibilities to define spaces creatively. With a variety of base and material choices, Elara adapts to meet diverse needs, allowing designers to shape it to their unique vision.
Prologue lounge
Just like the opening chapter of a compelling story, Prologue sets the stage for any space. Designed by David Dahl, Prologue offers a straightforward yet versatile seating collection with a broad range of models and options, each thoughtfully crafted to meet the demands of today’s healthcare and senior living facilities. Dahl’s vision was to create an understated yet functional collection that enhances public spaces, providing flexibility and comfort.
"Elara and Prologue both exemplify our fresh, innovative approach to new products. These solutions are thoughtfully created to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare spaces in meaningful ways," said Stan Gray. "Whether it’s the versatility of Elara’s modular options or the simplicity and practicality of Prologue, we’re excited to showcase how our products are evolving to meet the needs of modern healthcare environments."
We invite all attendees to visit Booth 301 at HCD to explore our innovative product offerings, including Offshore, Elara, Prologue, and more - experience firsthand how Carolina is shaping the future of healthcare design. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with our team and discover how our solutions can transform your healthcare spaces.
About Carolina
For over 80 years, Carolina has designed and manufactured quality healthcare furniture for customers around the globe. Founded in 1947, Carolina has constantly evolved their products and expanded their knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow’s challenges, as well as today’s. Carolina is based in High Point, NC, and was acquired by OFS in 2007. Due to the unique connection to OFS, Carolina can also draw from their full offering of products designed for administrative working spaces.
Carolina Press Contact: Aaron Estabrook: aestabrook@ofs.com