For someone who, in his own words, didn’t particularly like school, George Mann has built quite a career in academia.

In fact, when he was hired at Texas A&M University to launch the university’s Architecture for Health program, he planned on staying for just a year. This fall, the Ronald L. Skaggs Endowed Professor of Health Facilities Design in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M (College Station, Texas) will celebrate his 49th year at the school.

Over the years, Mann has led hundreds of practice-based research and design studio projects all over the world, from rapidly deployable modular isolation units for Ebola patients to the design of an 80-bed hospital in Honduras.

“It’s been quite an interesting ride,” says Mann who was named the HCD 10 Educator for his work in 2014.

Mann says he was drawn to architecture as a way to help others and while he finds great satisfaction in designing medical facilities, he equally enjoys the opportunity to introduce  healthcare design to students and young architects, many of whom have visions of creating residences or high-profile stadiums rather than hospitals and outpatient facilities.

Listen to this HCD Podcast as Mann talks about his career path to architecture, the importance of listening to clients, and why he’d like to see more control given to patients in the healthcare environment.

For more HCD 10 podcasts, read “Getting Up Close And Personal With The HCD 10.”