How Coordination And Planning Are Essential For Complex Projects On Occupied Healthcare Campuses

While some commercial construction sectors are slowing amid economic uncertainty, healthcare remains one of the most resilient. Nationwide spending on healthcare construction exceeded $69B in early 2025, up more than 2% from the previous year.  

As hospitals and health systems invest in modernization, the projects themselves are becoming more intricate — demanding partners who can thrive in highly technical, occupied environments. 

That is where Leopardo Construction excels. Headquartered in Illinois, Leopardo has built a reputation over four decades for thriving in complex environments, supported by focused expertise, a deep bench of talent and a relationship-driven approach that consistently delivers results. Ranked among Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors and Top 100 Green Builders, the firm has completed more than 20M SF of healthcare projects nationwide, with more than 70% of its annual work coming from repeat clients. 

“We see ourselves as a strategic partner, not just a builder,” Leopardo Superintendent Executive Jason Samolinski said. “Patient safety is always our top priority. It takes immense coordination and planning to keep projects on schedule while protecting the hospital’s daily operations, and that’s exactly what our teams are built to do.” 

Leopardo is leading a $100M vertical expansion of a major Chicago-area cancer center, adding two new floors totaling more than 33K SF and managing 40K SF of interior renovations. The project includes three new operating rooms, a 16-bed observation unit, expanded endoscopy and procedure suites, 14 exam rooms for cancer services, and four new labor and delivery rooms. 

Thriving In Complexity

The work is far from straightforward. Crews must keep the hospital’s primary air handler fully operational while constructing directly above it — a challenge that demands constant monitoring and precision. Leopardo’s team employs fans, smoke eaters and real-time air-quality tracking to ensure contaminants never enter the system. 

Another major coordination point involves tying new storm and sanitary drains from the addition into the active facility. This process requires off-hours work, exact sequencing and continuous collaboration among hospital staff, engineers and trade partners. 

“It’s about coordination at every level, from design and engineering to field execution,” Samolinski said. “Our teams thrive in this kind of environment because they understand what’s at stake for the people who depend on these facilities every day.”

A Deep Bench In Action 

While Samolinski oversees the two-floor addition, Superintendent Executive Tom Lee leads 12 phases of interior renovation throughout the hospital, from operating rooms and observation areas to the cancer center itself. Every phase requires detailed planning to maintain access for staff and patients. 

“Preplanning and communication are everything,” Lee said. “We rely on the strength of our staff and our trade partners, people who know how to work in these environments and understand the importance of every decision.” 

Leopardo’s ability to deploy multiple experienced superintendent executives on a single project speaks to the depth of its field leadership. The company invests heavily in training and professional development, ensuring all team members are certified in American Society for Health Care Engineering construction standards before stepping on-site. 

Relationships That Drive Results

Earlier this year, Leopardo completed the Covenant Living of Northbrook expansion, adding three independent living buildings to a 55-acre senior community. The project required rerouting a stream governed by the Army Corps of Engineers — all while maintaining safe access for residents. Leopardo worked hand in hand with the ownership team, attending monthly resident meetings to maintain open dialogue and trust. 

“We believe transparency and trust are just as critical as technical skill,” Lee said. “When clients feel informed and heard, projects move smoothly and outcomes improve.” 

Collaborative Planning For Smarter Building 

For projects of this scope, Leopardo utilizes pull-planning, a collaborative scheduling method that brings all stakeholders — from owners and clinicians to subcontractors — into the same room to plan and sequence the work together. 

“It gives everyone ownership,” Lee said. “When people understand the bigger picture, coordination naturally improves. It’s how we deliver predictable outcomes on even the most unpredictable jobsites.” 

Building The Future Of Healthcare Environments 

Leopardo’s leadership says these projects reflect not only the company’s technical expertise but also its long-term commitment to supporting the evolution of healthcare delivery. 

“Healthcare construction requires empathy as much as expertise,” Samolinski said. “We’re not just building walls and rooms. We’re building spaces where people heal, where doctors work more efficiently, and where hospitals can better serve their communities.” 

As healthcare systems adapt to evolving patient needs, Leopardo continues to invest in preconstruction intelligence, data-driven scheduling and sustainable building practices — reinforcing its mission to build smarter, safer and more resilient environments that keep communities thriving. 

This article was produced in collaboration between Leopardo and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.