Baltimore, MD (March 2, 2026) – Kirsten Waltz, M.Arch., F.A.C.H.A. , of Johns Hopkins Health System, has been elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the institute’s highest membership honor. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) admits member-architects to its prestigious College of Fellows annually. Since 1952, AIA leaders have recognized a small group of members for “significant contributions to the architecture profession.” Three percent of AIA members have this distinction.

Waltz’s submission mentions some of her professional accomplishments. “Kirsten Waltz advances American healthcare architecture and the role of the profession in shaping it. Her leadership in AIA’s Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) and Facilities Guidelines Institute (FGI) has elevated the role of architects in writing national healthcare design codes and the profession’s impact and emergency response during the Covid-19 crisis. Kirsten has worked as a healthcare architect, practice leader and as a major client. Today, as the Vice- President for Facilities Planning + Design for the Johns Hopkins Health System, she brings architectural leadership to one of the most important medical research and teaching centers in the world.”

This June, 78 new Fellows, including Waltz, will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture in San Diego, CA.