Artist Biography
Olivia Landry is graduating with a BFA in Interior Architecture and a minor in Business Administration. She would like to extend a special thank you to all of her professors, mentors, family, and friends for their support over the last four incredible years. During her time at Endicott, her passion for design and its impact has grown exponentially. Olivia completed her senior internship at Build Health International in 2021, diving into the humanitarian sector. At BHI, she was able to experience first hand how a non-profit organization operates in the design industry, elevating access to quality healthcare on a global scale and optimizing space planning to positively impact community development. This experience greatly influenced the direction of her research and senior thesis project.
Thesis Abstract
One in 80 Haitian women will die from childbirth or pregnancy related complications due to chronic barriers to facility based birth. Haiti has the highest rate of maternal mortality than any other country in the Western Hemisphere, averaging 521 deaths for every 100,000 live births compared to the United States’s rate of 20 deaths for every 100,000.
Lack of healthcare resources and access to education plays an integral role in the stagnant decline of these mortality rates. By identifying the unmet needs of Haitian women and the barriers they face daily, Maternal Matters will provide both mothers and staff with crucial services that will lower mortality rates. This newly renovated 43,000 sqft campus will be culturally conscious, equitable, create a dignified experience for mothers, and act as a catalyst to the surrounding environment. Special attention will be given to the hospital’s need to perform in its remote context and elements implemented will not only improve the lives of and strengthen the health of Haitian women and children but also directly aid in sustainable community development.