Cuningham Appoints Bradley Stech and Heather Rusch as Firm's Healthcare Directors
Cuningham is pleased to announce that Heather Rusch and Brad Stech have been appointed as the firm's Healthcare Directors. In their new roles they will be working closely together to co-lead Cuningham’s healthcare team, creating innovative healthcare solutions that prioritize wellness, enhance both patient and caregiver support, and meet the demands of an evolving industry.
"Brad and Heather have earned considerable respect from healthcare clients and their colleagues,” Cuningham Principal Wayne Hunter says. “They have demonstrated a high degree of project, client, and leadership competency. They bring these skill sets in addition to their passion for healthcare design to the studio leadership role. I couldn't be more excited for and proud of them."
Heather and Brad bring over forty combined years of experience designing innovative healthcare environments that catalyze medical innovation and foster enhanced patient and caregiver experiences. Their extensive expertise includes high-profile, large-scale projects for HonorHealth, Banner Health Valleywise Health, Sharp HealthCare, Scripps Health, and Dignity Health, among others.
Heather and Brad’s comprehensive project and client experience coupled with their understanding of the healthcare markets in Southern California and Arizona strategically positions them to assume Cuningham’s leadership role and navigate the firm through a changing, challenging, and dynamic healthcare market.
Heather Rusch
Associate Principal
As Healthcare Director, Heather brings over 17 years of experience, and a forward-thinking, research-backed approach to her leadership—ensuring that every project aligns with the client’s operational goals and long-term vision for their spaces. Her expertise as a medical planner allows her to work closely with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and goals, develop master plans, and create conceptual designs. As a leader, Heather leverages her background in evidence-based and Lean design principles, enabling her teams to create facilities optimized for patient care and staff efficiency.
As a certified member of the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA), Heather is dedicated to enhancing healthcare architecture for the public by creating better built environments. Additionally, her EDAC certification and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt enables her to advance data-driven design in healthcare—creating spaces that enhance both patient outcomes and provider efficiency. These certifications reflect her commitment to designing adaptable, future-ready healthcare environments that promote physical and mental health. By incorporating research-backed insights into her projects, Heather aligns with Cuningham’s focus on sustainability and regenerating ecosystems, embodying the firm’s mission to create enduring, resilient experiences for a healthier world.
“I’m honored to be leading the Cuningham team,” Heather says. “By designing with human experience at the forefront of every decision, we can execute highly technical healthcare facilities that support caregivers and patients alike with compassion and precision.”
Brad Stech
Associate Principal
Brad Stech is a results-driven leader with over 22 years of architectural and project management experience, specializing in healthcare design. As Cuningham's Healthcare Director, he brings a wealth of expertise with a focus on delivering high-quality, user-centric spaces. His approach is rooted in a deep understanding of clients' needs, working closely with them to ensure the spaces they occupy foster optimal outcomes for patients, caregivers, and all stakeholders involved.
Brad’s design philosophy emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that the diverse needs of healthcare communities are met with empathy and precision. He is known for creating environments that not only support the functional aspects of healthcare but also enhance the emotional well-being of patients and staff. His ability to translate complex healthcare requirements into thoughtful, sustainable design solutions is a key driver behind Cuningham’s success. His leadership fosters collaboration and empowers his teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare design.
“The healthcare industry has many unique challenges, and Cuningham’s expertise allows us to push boundaries—designing spaces that are both technically innovative and deeply supportive of community and well-being,” Brad says.
