Umayal Ramanathan
Principal
Shepley Bulfinch
Uma Ramanathan is a Principal at Shepley Bulfinch with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare planning and design. Her grasp of the rigorous demands of medical staff has been invaluable to clients, as is her ability to work effectively with high-level medical faculty and administrators to build consensus among diverse viewpoints.
As Shepley Bulfinch's leader in pediatric healthcare, Uma has led projects for Boston Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Michigan, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, and Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo.
Her largest contribution in New England has been to Boston Children's Hospital, where she worked with leadership and the Department of Public Health to integrate innovation into a conservative academic medical mindset. Her guidance made lasting impact through projects like the Main South Building—which restored BCH to number 1 among top children's hospitals—and the Hale Family Building, which was completed in 2024.
Uma shares her expertise with healthcare and architecture communities through publications and presentations. Her contributions outside the office include participating in the BSA's Healthcare Facilities Committee, serving on the Board of Overseers for Franciscan Children's Hospital, guest lecturing at Boston University School of Public Health, and acting as Strategic Advisor for Planning and Design for Massachusetts temples.
Uma's two terms on the Alumni Board at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan demonstrate her commitment to future healthcare architects and led to developing the College's Healthcare Studio.
Her background includes a bachelor's degree in architecture from Madras University in India and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. She joined Shepley Bulfinch in 1991 and has consistently advanced innovative solutions in healthcare environments while mentoring the next generation of design professionals dedicated to healing spaces.
As Shepley Bulfinch's leader in pediatric healthcare, Uma has led projects for Boston Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Michigan, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, and Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo.
Her largest contribution in New England has been to Boston Children's Hospital, where she worked with leadership and the Department of Public Health to integrate innovation into a conservative academic medical mindset. Her guidance made lasting impact through projects like the Main South Building—which restored BCH to number 1 among top children's hospitals—and the Hale Family Building, which was completed in 2024.
Uma shares her expertise with healthcare and architecture communities through publications and presentations. Her contributions outside the office include participating in the BSA's Healthcare Facilities Committee, serving on the Board of Overseers for Franciscan Children's Hospital, guest lecturing at Boston University School of Public Health, and acting as Strategic Advisor for Planning and Design for Massachusetts temples.
Uma's two terms on the Alumni Board at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan demonstrate her commitment to future healthcare architects and led to developing the College's Healthcare Studio.
Her background includes a bachelor's degree in architecture from Madras University in India and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. She joined Shepley Bulfinch in 1991 and has consistently advanced innovative solutions in healthcare environments while mentoring the next generation of design professionals dedicated to healing spaces.