Kirlin Spring Webinar Series: Healthcare Lighting Innovations You Can’t Miss

The future of healthcare lighting design is here. Kirlin is hosting a Spring Webinar Series focused on cutting-edge lighting solutions for hospitals, women’s healthcare facilities, neurodivergent-friendly environments, and behavioral health spaces.

Each 30-minute session includes expert insights, the latest research in healthcare lighting, a look at Kirlin’s innovative products—including upcoming releases—and a live Q&A.

Join us for one or all four sessions, available at two convenient time slots:
🕦 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
🕞 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

March 4 – Hospitality in the Hospital: Elevating Patient Comfort with Lighting

Designing hospital lighting requires more than just meeting functional requirements—it’s about enhancing patient comfort while maintaining infection control and efficiency.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔ Balancing aesthetics, safety, and performance in healthcare lighting design
✔ Tunable White, Ambient+, and Color-Changing LED technologies for patient-centric spaces
✔ Selecting easy-to-maintain, high-performance lighting for hospitals and critical care environments

Register for Hospitality in the Hospital


March 6 – Tailored Lighting for Women’s Healthcare Environments

Lighting impacts patient outcomes and staff performance in women’s healthcare spaces, from Labor & Delivery rooms to NICUs. This session covers how specialized lighting solutions enhance comfort, functionality, and care.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔ How lighting supports patient-centered care in Labor & Delivery rooms
✔ Designing NICU lighting for newborns, families, and caregivers
✔ Addressing ergonomic lighting needs for female healthcare professionals

Register for Tailored Lighting for Women’s Healthcare


March 11 – Lighting for Neurodivergence: Creating Inclusive Spaces

Lighting plays a crucial role in neurodivergent-friendly design, impacting sensory perception, focus, and emotional well-being. Learn how adaptive lighting strategies create calming, comfortable environments.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔ Why neurodivergent-inclusive lighting design matters
✔ How color temperature, brightness, and flicker affect neurodivergent individuals
✔ Strategies to reduce overstimulation in hospitals, schools, and public spaces

Register for Lighting for Neurodivergence


March 13 – Putting the Patient in Control in Behavioral Health Spaces

Behavioral health lighting solutions should promote calmness, safety, and autonomy. This webinar explores human-centric lighting and vandal-resistant controls that empower patients.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
✔ Using LED lighting to create adaptable, soothing environments
✔ Ligature-resistant lighting controls to balance safety and autonomy
✔ Designing behavioral health spaces with patient-centric lighting solutions

Register for Putting the Patient in Control in Behavioral Health Spaces


Why Attend Kirlin’s Spring Webinar Series?

  • Stay Ahead of Trends – Learn about the latest healthcare lighting advancements.
  • Discover New Products – Get a sneak peek at upcoming Kirlin innovations.
  • Get Expert Insights – Hear from industry leaders on best practices for lighting in healthcare.

Sign up today to secure your spot! Whether you’re focused on hospital lighting solutions, behavioral health design, or neurodivergent-friendly lighting, this webinar series is for you.

2024: A Year of Innovation, Growth, and Recognition at Kirlin

As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud to share the milestones that have defined a big and exciting year for Kirlin. From groundbreaking product launches to industry accolades, this year has been one of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration.

Product Launches: 30 New Solutions for Your Projects

This year, we introduced 30 new products to our catalog, designed to meet the evolving needs of lighting specifiers:

  • 11 Ambient+ Fixtures: Combining static white lighting with vibrant static color, these fixtures offer six narrow-band wavelengths to create dynamic environments, perfect for healthcare and architectural spaces.
  • 15 SmartLED MRI Color-Changing Fixtures: New RGBW color-changing downlights, cylinders, and sconces enhance the MRI lighting family, offering the ability to change colors during scans and integrate seamlessly with existing products.
  • 2 Strait Secure Wall Slots: Designed for behavioral health and other robust applications, these ligature- and vandal-resistant fixtures offer static white or RGBW color-changing options and can feature scenic patterns or images, matching the Strait Secure Slots family.
  • 2 Strait Slots: Versatile linear fixtures offering static white, tunable white, and RGBW color-changing options with direct distribution and asymmetric capabilities, delivering up to 1500 lumens per foot in static white.

New Tools for Seamless Specification

We launched 3 new configurators on the Kirlin website to streamline the specification process:

  • MRI Configurator: Ensures all necessary components for remote-driver MRI systems are specified for a turnkey solution.
  • Symphony Configurator: Simplifies specification for Symphony’s remote-driver systems, ensuring seamless integration.
  • Scenic Configurator: Helps visualize artwork and patterns, making it easier to specify and customize Scenic product designs.

Awards and Recognitions

Kirlin received 6 major awards this year, celebrating our products and people:

Sustainability and Inspiration

Kirlin continues to prioritize visual inspiration with the release of 4 new brochures and information sheets:

Leadership and Team Growth

In February, we welcomed Logan Gerhard as President, bringing his extensive industry experience to guide Kirlin into an exciting future of innovation and customer focus.

Color Coordination and 2025 Preview

We expanded our custom color lineup, introducing options that perfectly coordinate with Scenic pattern images. And this is just the beginning—new colors are already in the works for 2025!

As we close out 2024, we want to thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Together, we’ve made this year one to remember, and we’re excited to share what’s next in 2025. Stay tuned for even more innovations, tools, and inspiration from Kirlin!

Kirlin’s Strait Secure Wins 2024 Architectural Products Product Innovation Award

We are proud to announce that the Strait Secure Ceiling and Wall Slots have been honored with the 2024 Product Innovation Award (PIA) from Architectural Products!

This recognition highlights the cutting-edge design and functionality of Strait Secure, a lighting solution tailored for behavioral health environments, where safety and patient well-being are paramount.

Why Strait Secure Stands Out

The Strait Secure product family sets a new benchmark in behavioral health lighting by seamlessly combining high performance, aesthetics, and safety. Its innovative features include:

  • High-Performance Lighting:
    The ceiling-mounted version delivers up to 1200 lumens per foot in static white, making it ideal for spaces that demand bright, even illumination.
  • Therapeutic and Circadian Lighting Options:
    Equipped with RGBW color-changing technology, Strait Secure supports color therapy for behavioral health applications. Additionally, the tunable white option aids in maintaining natural circadian rhythms, a critical aspect of patient care in spaces with limited natural light.
  • Customizable Wall-Mounted Versatility:
    The wall-mounted fixture enhances wayfinding and ambiance with options for patterns, scenic imagery, or room numbers, offering both functionality and a more inviting atmosphere.
  • Robust Safety and Durability:
    Concealed tamper-proof fasteners ensure both security and a sleek architectural look, while all components are designed for easy face access, minimizing disruption during maintenance.

Leading the Industry

Strait Secure was designed with a deep understanding of the challenges in behavioral health settings, making it a first-of-its-kind solution in this category. Its blend of therapeutic benefits, safety features, and robust performance makes it the go-to lighting solution for behavioral health facilities.

Thank You!

We extend our gratitude to Architectural Products for recognizing the innovation and impact of the Strait Secure product family. We’re also thankful to our partners and clients for trusting us to light spaces where comfort and healing are priorities.

Explore Strait Secure

Learn more about the award-winning Strait Secure Ceiling and Wall Slots and how they can enhance your next project:

Check out Strait Secure today!

Together, let’s continue illuminating environments that inspire comfort, healing, and care.

Jana Kirlin Brownell Inducted into IES Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame

Kirlin Lighting is proud to announce that its Chairman, Jana Kirlin Brownell, has been named as the 2024 inductee into the IES Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame. This honor, presented at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Detroit Section’s annual awards gala, recognizes Jana’s extraordinary contributions to the lighting industry and her leadership at Kirlin, a leading manufacturer of sophisticated lighting products and systems for 129 years. Joining as a Product Manager in 1986, Jana was named President and CEO in 1997 and has led Kirlin to new heights during her impressive tenure with the company.

IES Detroit Vice President Michelle Prew, who presented Jana with the award, shared her admiration for Jana’s career and contributions in her introduction:
“Tonight, it is both a privilege and a pleasure to introduce and honor someone who has not only redefined leadership but also exemplified what it means to commit to excellence in both industry and community. As we celebrate Jana, we recognize not only her exceptional career but her unwavering commitment to enhancing lives through light, her advocacy for Detroit’s vitality, and her legacy of service to those around her.”

Jana, reflecting on her career during her acceptance speech, said:
“I should not be here; I had planned to become the creator of a global women’s healthcare delivery system to help women and their families preserve a life of vitality and good health. But, when my father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 1986, I returned to Michigan to join Kirlin and continue his legacy of innovation, quality, reliability, and dedication. […] In ways I’d never envisioned, Kirlin Lighting was fulfilling my personal and professional desire to enhance health and well-being on a global scale. I’ve been challenged by the rapid pace of innovation and rewarded by the impact our lighting has had in both architectural and healthcare markets.”

Jana also celebrated the contributions of those in the lighting industry, saying:
“Thank you all for what you, the lighting industry, does for our world of 8 billion people. You are illuminating their lives. Your work is noble and impactful.”

This achievement underscores Kirlin Lighting’s legacy of groundbreaking innovations in architectural and healthcare lighting, including the award-winning INFRALED PRO series, recognized as “The Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” in 2023.

Learn more about Kirlin Lighting’s legacy of excellence here.

Introducing the Strait Linear Slot Light

Kirlin Lighting is proud to introduce the Strait Linear Slot Light, a versatile addition to our Strait Product Family designed to meet diverse lighting needs with unparalleled flexibility and durability. Available in lengths from 2 to 12 feet, the Strait Linear Slot Light offers multiple lighting options, including Static White, Tunable White, and RGBW. This innovation is perfect for a wide range of environments, from healthcare facilities to natatoriums.

Why Choose the Strait Linear Slot Light?

1. Dynamic Lighting Choices for Every Space

  • Static White: Ideal for crisp, clear illumination in spaces that demand consistent lighting quality.
  • Tunable White: Adjust color temperatures to support circadian rhythm.
  • RGBW Lighting: For projects that require vibrant, customizable colors, the RGBW model features quad-chip LEDs, providing a full-spectrum experience controlled effortlessly via DMX.

2. Superior Lumen Output

  • Delivering up to 1200 lumens per foot, the Static White model ensures bright, consistent illumination, making it perfect for spaces that require high-intensity lighting.

3. Asymmetric Distribution Option for Targeted Lighting

  • The optional asymmetric distribution is perfect for healthcare settings, offering targeted task lighting that ensures patient comfort while providing clinicians with focused illumination.

4. Unmatched Design Flexibility

  • The Strait Linear Slot Light is available in customizable lengths from 2 to 12 feet, allowing seamless integration with any design vision.

5. IP66 Rated Housing & Natatorium-Specific Options

  • With an IP66 rating, the Strait is built to withstand demanding environments such as ICUs, Cath Labs, and natatoriums, ensuring reliable performance in even the most challenging settings.

6. BioGard™ Antimicrobial White Finish

  • Our exclusive BioGard™ antimicrobial coating is designed with hygiene in mind, making the Strait Linear Slot Light ideal for healthcare facilities, food preparation areas, and other environments where cleanliness is paramount.

7. Declare Listed for Sustainable Design

  • Embrace eco-friendly practices with the Strait Linear Slot Light, which is Declare listed, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and transparency in manufacturing.

Illuminate Your Space with the Strait Linear Slot Light

Whether your project demands dynamic lighting solutions, superior lumen output, or robust design features like IP66-rated housings, the Strait Linear Slot Light is engineered to deliver. Explore the versatility and durability of the Strait today and discover how it can enhance your next project.

Three Cheers for Kirlin! Triple Wins at the 2024 IES Progress Report Awards

We’re absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news! Kirlin Lighting has scored a hat-trick at the 2024 IES Progress Report Awards, taking home not one, not two, but three awards! Our team is over the moon, and we can’t wait to tell you all about our winning fixtures.

Meet the Stars of 2024

Each of these fixtures brings something special to the table, pushing the envelope on what’s possible in lighting.

Strait Secure Ceiling and Wall Slots

Say hello to the Strait Secure Ceiling and Wall Slots! These fixtures are tough cookies, designed for the demanding world of behavioral health. Available in various lengths up to 6’, they’re as secure as they come with concealed tamperproof fasteners. And with options for static white, tunable white, and RGBW color changing, they’re not just safe—they’re versatile, too. Whether you want static white, color-changing, or even scenic images or patterns, these slots have got you covered, and their dimming to 1% or even 0.1% lets you set the perfect mood.

Ambient+

Imagine a light that can do double duty—that’s our Ambient+ technology! One moment, it’s providing crisp, static white light, and the next, it’s bathing the space in vibrant color. Whether you’re lighting up turtle-friendly coasts or including green lighting in an operating room, Ambient+ has six static, narrow wavelength color options to choose from. Available in downlights and cylinders, these fixtures are ready to shine in healthcare, architectural, and even behavioral health settings.

MRI RGBW Downlights

Our MRI RGBW Downlights are the latest showstoppers in Kirlin’s SmartLED family. With 15 sleek designs—think round, square, downlights, cylinders, and sconces—these fixtures bring a splash of color to MRI rooms. Thanks to RGBW quad-chip technology, you can paint the room in dynamic, vibrant hues that can change even during the scan or crisp whites for cleaning and other tasks. With easy plug-and-play RJ45 connections and our pre-programmed DMX controller, setup is a breeze. Pair them with our MRL-2 Slot and MCL Cove fixtures for a fully immersive lighting experience that turns every MRI into an event!

Lighting Up the Future

We’re so grateful for this recognition and excited to keep innovating. Here’s to lighting up the world, one fixture at a time! If you’re interested in previous years’ awards, check out last year’s news article, which highlights our previous four years’ worth of awards.

Kirlin Lighting Introduces the Strait Secure Wall Slot: Combining Safety and Architectural Elegance

Kirlin Lighting is proud to announce the launch of the Strait Secure Wall Slot, a ligature- and vandal-resistant lighting solution designed to meet the highest standards of safety and architectural design. This new product is particularly suited for environments where both aesthetics and durability are paramount, such as behavioral health facilities, educational institutions, and other settings that require robust lighting.

Product Highlights

The Strait Secure Wall Slot is engineered to provide a seamless blend of functionality and design. Available in a range of lengths from 12″ to 48″, this fixture offers flexibility while maintaining a clean look. Three LED sources available are:

  • Static White Lighting: Offered in three color temperatures, providing options for various ambiance needs.
  • Tunable White: Supports circadian rhythms, enhancing the well-being of occupants.
  • RGBW Quad-Chip Color Changing: Allows for dynamic lighting, suitable for creating vibrant atmospheres or supporting color therapy.

Customization and Visualization

One of the standout features of the Strait Secure Wall Slot is its ability to be customized with scenic images. With over 100 images and patterns available, as well as the option for custom designs, including room numbers, this fixture can be tailored to suit the specific needs and design goals of any space. Additionally, Kirlin Lighting’s Scenic Configurator tool enables users to visualize their chosen designs before committing to a final image.

Designed for Challenging Environments

Safety and durability are at the core of the Strait Secure Wall Slot’s design. Concealed hardware ensures a sleek, architectural look while providing the necessary security features for high-risk environments. The wall slot version further enhances this clean design with no visible hardware on the top edge, contributing to a more refined appearance. Furthermore, this fixture is natatorium-rated, making it suitable for use in humid or wet conditions, expanding its application across various demanding environments.

Learn More

The Strait Secure Wall Slot is a testament to Kirlin Lighting’s commitment to delivering innovative and reliable lighting solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s architectural and safety-focused markets. For more information on how the Strait Secure Wall Slot can enhance your projects, please visit our website.

Unveiling MRI RGBW Downlights with Color-Changing Technology

Kirlin Lighting, a leader in lighting solutions for healthcare applications, is excited to launch its new MRI-safe RGBW Downlights, an innovative product series designed to improve the MRI experience through mood-enhancing lighting. The new series promises to transform medical imaging suites with vibrant colors and high-quality illumination that can change dynamically while MRI scans are in progress.

The MRI RGBW Downlights feature Kirlin’s proprietary SmartLED MRI technology, which allows the lights to change colors seamlessly while ensuring compatibility with even the most powerful magnetic resonance scanners available today. This feature aims to improve patient comfort and reduce the anxiety often associated with MRI procedures. The technology employs RGBW quad-chip LEDs, enabling a wide spectrum of colors as well as pure, crisp whites.

“Kirlin continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in specialized lighting environments,” said Chris Brownell, CEO of Kirlin. “With our new MRI RGBW Downlights, we are providing healthcare facilities with the ability to create a more soothing atmosphere, which can play a critical role in patient care and diagnostic accuracy.”

The product line includes 15 different fixtures – round and square downlights, cylinders, and sconces – offering healthcare designers a versatile range of options. The lights can also be integrated with other color-changing products from the SmartLED MRI family, such as the MRL-2 slot and MCL Cove, to provide a comprehensive lighting solution that caters to the complex needs of MRI facilities.

Kirlin’s commitment to enhancing medical environments extends beyond functionality, incorporating aesthetic elements that support a positive patient experience.

For more information about Kirlin Lighting and its innovative lighting solutions, visit Kirlin’s website.

Kirlin Lighting CEO Chris Brownell Recognized by DBusiness’s 30 in Their Thirties

Detroit, MI – May 21, 2024 – Kirlin Lighting is proud to announce that our CEO, Chris Brownell, has been honored by DBusiness as one of the “30 in Their Thirties” for 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights Chris’s exceptional leadership and relentless pursuit of innovation in the lighting industry.

The nomination noted, “I am delighted to nominate Chris Brownell, recognizing his outstanding leadership and zest for innovation at Kirlin. Under Chris’s leadership, Kirlin secured six prestigious awards in 2023, solidifying the company’s position as an industry leader in healthcare lighting. These sophisticated lighting systems significantly contribute to patient healing and infection control, exemplifying Kirlin’s dedication to innovative patient-centric solutions. His vision earned Kirlin the accolade of manufacturing the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Michigan’ for the groundbreaking PRO recessed medical motorized series.”

Chris’s leadership has been instrumental in preserving employment in the Detroit community. Through significant investments in the Detroit factory headquarters and hosting national events to spotlight the city, Kirlin remains a cornerstone of the local economy. Remarkably, under his guidance, Kirlin navigated the COVID-19 pandemic without layoffs or cutbacks and achieved consecutive years of double-digit growth.

Known for his ability to build a dynamic team, Chris empowers individuals throughout the organization, fostering an environment where new ideas thrive. His unique blend of handling technical tasks while effectively delegating responsibilities has been crucial to Kirlin’s growth.

Chris Brownell’s contributions to Kirlin, Detroit, Michigan, and global healthcare lighting make him a standout leader. His visionary leadership and dedication to improving patient well-being are truly commendable.

“We are immensely proud of Chris for this well-deserved recognition,” said Jana Kirlin-Brownell, Chairman at Kirlin Lighting. “His innovative approach and commitment to excellence continue to drive our success and positively impact the communities we serve.”

For more information about Kirlin Lighting and our innovative lighting solutions, please visit www.kirlinlighting.com.

Declare-ing Our New Listings!

Kirlin Lighting, a leader in innovative lighting solutions, is proud to announce that it now has Declare labels for four of its distinguished product groups: Choice Downlights, Choice Cylinders, INFRALED PRO, and the Linear series (MRL, VRL, VWL, PRL). This significant achievement underscores Kirlin’s commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility in its manufacturing processes.

The Declare label, often referred to as the “nutrition label” for building products, provides a clear and informative look at the materials used in products. It is a vital tool for designers committed to selecting environmentally responsible and sustainable products for their projects.

Why This Matters

  • Transparency: Full disclosure of the materials in our fixtures, enabling informed choices that resonate with your environmental values.
  • Quality Assurance: The assurance that Kirlin fixtures not only meet rigorous sustainability criteria but are designed for longevity and minimal environmental impact.
  • Sustainable Innovation: Our modular, serviceable designs are complemented by environmental certification, making Kirlin a pioneer in sustainable lighting solutions.

By securing Declare labels, Kirlin Lighting not only boosts its product stewardship but also provides its clients with crucial information to make informed choices about the materials they incorporate into their projects.