Dr. Joanne Marie Westphal

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Families First of Michigan
General Practice
PhysicianAppointed: 1995
Michigan State University
School of Planning, Design, and Construction
Landscape Architecture
ProfessorAppointed: 1986
J. Westphal and Associates
Park Planning and Landscape Consultants
PrincipalAppointed: 1983

Mailing Address

201P Human Ecology Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (517) 353-7880
Mobile: (517) 256-4401
westphal@msu.edu

Qualifications

D.O., Michigan State University, General Practice/Osteopathy, 1995.
M.A., Landscape Architecture, 1983.
Ph.D., Soil Science, 1977.
M.S., Soil Science, 1973.
Teaching Certificate, Secondar, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1971.
B.S. (summa cum laude), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Biology, 1970.

Expertise and Research Interests

Dr. Westphal is one of only a handful of registered and licensed practicing physicians/landscape architects in the world. Her research interests focus around the subject of nature and the health benefits derived from it, particularly in garden settings. To date, her work on therapeutic site design includes the efficacies of design solutions to enhance rehabilitation efforts in stroke, heat-attack , and traumatic brain-injured patients; she also has designed gardens that provide palliative care for patients with dementia. Recent research endeavors include identifying performance variables for conducting post-occupancy evaluations of sites intended for hospital or extended care facilities. Of particular interest is the interface between the new medical model and evolving green architecture practices in the built environment.

Earlier research interests focused on broader issues of landscape architecture, including regional landscape design, place identity, and resource protection. A number of papers have been published on environmental knowing, visual management, land use, and farmland preservation. Research work in these areas continues, but on a reduced scale.

Other Expertise

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Enabling Garden at Levy Senior Citizens Center, Evanston, IL. (Design phase: December, 2001- February, 2002; construction: projected for 2002-2004; post-construction evaluation: 2005. Project in collaboration with Wolff-Clements Design Firm, Chicago, IL, the city of Evanston, IL, and the Rothchild Foundation.)

Evaluation of the Efficacy of seven therapeutic garden designs at the Bivens Nursing Home, Amarillo, TX (Design phase: October, 2003-2004; construction: 2004-2005; post-construction evaluation: 2006-2010. Project in collaboration with Wolff-Clements Design Firm, Chicago, IL, and the Bivens Foundation.)

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Enabling Garden at Bethesdae Senior Citizen Home, Chicago, IL. (Design phase: December, 2001- August, 2002; construction: 2002-2003; post-construction evaluation: 2005. Project in collaboration with Wolff-Clements Design Firm, Chicago, IL)

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the five therapeutic garden design at the Dominican Mother House, Grand Rapids, MI (Design phase: December, 2003- February, 2004; construction: 2004-2005; post-construction evaluation: 2006. Project in collaboration with Wolff-Clements Design Firm, Chicago, IL.)

Post-construction evaluation of the Post-stroke courtyard, Martin Luther Home, Holt, MI. (Design phase: Spring, 1999; construction: completed in 2000; post-construction evaluation in 2000-2001. Project in collaboration with Julie Galbraith, Martin Luther Home, Holt, MI and Charles Designers, Novi, MI.)

Licensed, practicing physician, State of Michigan, 1995-present.

Future Research

Seasonal Barriers to Walking and Bicycling in Cold Climate Communities

One Seed at a Time: Building Scientific Underpinnings for Understanding the Health and Wellness Benefits of Nature and Garden Environments to Mankind

Establishing Health Standards for ASLA's Sustainable Sites Initiative

On-site Watewater Treatment Strategies to Protect Human & Environmental Health

Steep-sloped, Green Roof Design: Environmental Parameters and Health Benefits

Industrial Relevance

Work involves interface between the design arts, horticulture, and health care delivery. Purpose is to improve efficacy of current health care protocols in a built environment with natural characteristics. Considerations of horticultural therapy, pet therapy, art therapy, music therapy, along with standard treatment protocols in physical and occupational therapy are incorporated in a designed space for different patient groups.

Steep-sloped roof design considers applications of green roof systems to standard housing types. The purpose is to establish baseline information on the environmental demands of the roofing system under slope conditions greater than 10%, with the subsequent collection of data to determine the microclimate, stormwater, and habitat benefits to homeowners, communities, and ecosystems. Industrial relevance lies in modifications of existing green roof design for purposes of improving performance standards in terms of thermal insulation, wildlife habitat, and water retention/filtering capabilities.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Design Arts, Environmental Design Or Technology, Landscape Architecture Or Design.

Additional Terms:

Built Environments, Evidence-based Design, Human Health, Human Wellbeing, Therapeutic Site Design.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

German: (Functional, Basic, Basic)

Memberships

American Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops and Soils
American Society of Landscape Architects
Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO)

Honors and Awards

2007, Fellow, American Society of Landscape Architects, Research
2006, Fellow, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Research/Teaching
2006, Merit Award, American Society of Landscape Architects, Illinois Chapter, Design Category
2002, Outstanding Educator, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architecture
2000, Outstanding Alumna, University of Wisconsin, Landscape Architecture Department
1997, Outstanding Faculty, Michigan State University, Landscape Architecture Department
1996, Merit Award, American Society of Landscape Architecture, Michigan Chapter, Communication category
1995, Merit Award, American Society of Landscape Architecture, Michigan Chapter, Planning category
1985, National Merit Award, American Society of Landscape Architecture,Research category, 'Trail Design Determinants: Case Study of the Cook County Forest Preserves', 1985.,

Previous Positions

2002-2004, Professor, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Landscape Architecture
1986-2002, Associate Professor, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Geography, Landscape Architecture
1985-1987, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, Recreation & Parks
Professor, Michigan State University, School of Planning, Design, and Construction
Professor, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Geography, Landscape Architecture
1979-1985, Texas A&M University, Department of Recreation and Parks, Assistant Professor

Funding Received

  • MSU Community Vitality Program: "Seasonal Barriers to Walking and Bicycling in Cold Climate Communities Like East Lansing, Michigan", $48,000.00, 2006 to 2008.
  • Michigan State University, All University Research Initiative Grant: 'Therapeutic Site Design', book, $19, 800.00, 2002 to 2003.

Publications

  • Tanner, C. and Westphal, J. (2009) New Approaches to Teaching Landscape Architecture: Incorporating Post-Occupancy Evaluations into the Design Process, New Landscape, New Lives, European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools, Alnarp, Sweden, Swedish Land University, 6 pages, Submitted
  • Westphal, J. (2009) Towards a Model for Understanding the Relationship Between Garden Design & Human Health, New Landscape, New Lives, European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools, Alnarp, Sweden, Swedish Land University, 6 pages, Submitted
  • (2007) The Simple Act of Walking to School: A Historical Overview of Contemporary Issues Affecting Childhood Obesity, School Placement, and Active Transport In H. Dele Davies, Hiram E. Fitzgerald (eds), Obesity in Childhood & Adolescence Volume I, 1st Edition, Westport, CT, Praeger Publishers, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN=ISBN: 0-275-9 (bookchapter)
  • Westphal, J. and Tanner, C. (2006) The Prevalence & Nature of Post-Occupancy Evaluations in General Site & Therapeutic Garden Design I, Landscape Architecture: the State of the Ark, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Athen, GA, University of Georgia, Department of Landscape Architecture, 8 pages
  • Mrozowski, T., Westphal, J. and Khosla, N., Promoting Healthy Environments Through Application of LEED NC Site Planning Standards to Cold Climate Institutional Settings, MSU Land Policy Grant Inititative, Technical Report IRB#: 06-070, East Lansing, MI, Office of the John Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, Michigan State University, 1 Jul 2006
  • Mahan, C. and J. Westphal, Natural Spaces for Memory Support: a Closer Look At Dementia Gardens., ASLA Proceedings, Oct 2004
  • Westphal, J., The Importance of Site Familiarity to Landscape Photographic Assessments., Landscape Review, 10(1&2), 2004, 2004
  • Westphal, J., The Role of the Landscape Architect in American Health Care Delivery., Landscape Research, 27(3), 205-216, 2003
  • Bauman, G. and J. Westphal, Treasures By the Roadside:Old Mission Peninsula's Centennial Farms., Michigan Academician, 34(2), 113-138, 2003
  • Westphal, J., Medical Musings About Intergeneration Design Phenomena At the 4-H Childrens' Garden., Landscape Research, 26(3), 257-269., 2002
  • Westphal, J., Managing Agricultural Resources At the Urban-rural Interface: a Case Study of the Old Mission Peninsula., Landscape and Urban Planning, 57, 13-24, 2001
  • Westphal, J., Hype, Hyperbole, and Health: Therapeutic Site Design., In: Urban Lifestyles, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, A.A. Balkema Publishers, 19-26, Sep 2000
  • Westphal, J. G. Alban, and D. Ries, Accuracy of the Michigan Rural Property Inventory for Historic Land Use/land Cover Determinations., Michigan Academician, 32(4), 313-324, 2000
  • J. Westphal. 1991. "The Significance of Experience to Semantic Differential Ratings of Park Nomenclature: A Research Note." CELA Selected Papers Vol. 3: 220-226; Landscape Architecture Foundation: Washington, D.C.
  • E. Ruddell, J. Gramann, V. Rudis and J. Westphal. 1989. "The Psychological Utility of Visual Penetration in Near-View Forest Scenic Beauty Models." Environment and Behavior 21 (5): 393-412
  • V. Rudis, J. Gramann, E. Ruddell and J. Westphal. 1988. "Forest Inventory and Management Based Visual Preference Models of Southern Pine Stands." Forest Science 14(4): 846-863
  • C. Brown, J. Westphal, and Bruce Pigozzi. 1991. "A Preliminary Examination of Perceptions Relating to Power Plant Location and Air Quality in Urban Areas." Proceedings of the 1990 Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference: University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
  • J. Westphal and N. Rader. 1990. "An Evaluation Strategy to Assess the Scenic Resource Potential of Cultural Landscapes in Michigan with a Focus on Seasonal and Year-round Resident Assessments. Proceedings 1990 National Outdoor Recreation Trends SymposiumIII: p. 658-670, Indiana University, Indiana, April, 1990

Profile Details

Last Verified: 1/17/2009

COS Expertise ID #260594
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/westphaj94