The State of Boston Healthcare

David Storto is executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer of Wellforce, the Eastern Massachusetts health system that includes Tufts Medical Center, Tufts Children’s Hospital, Circle Health, MelroseWakefield Healthcare (formerly Hallmark Health) and Home Health Foundation. Together the system, founded in 2014, has more than 2,000 physicians and 13,000 employees across its community hospital and academic campuses. David is highly regarded for his track record of successfully leading organizations through periods of rapid growth and transformation, while ensuring optimal consumer and employee experience. At Wellforce, he oversees growth initiatives and strategic partnerships with a focus on enhancing quality, affordability and convenience. Prior to joining Wellforce, David served as president of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, which includes two rehabilitation hospitals, a long-term acute care hospital, a skilled nursing facility and 28 outpatient sites. Spaulding has consistently been ranked by US News & World Report as a top rehabilitation hospital and in 2021 was the #3 hospital in the nation. David led Spaulding’s development as a member of Mass General Brigham, formerly Partners HealthCare. The award-winning organization, which cared for many of the catastrophically injured survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings, has garnered national acclaim for its inclusive and sustainable design and LEED Gold Certification. Spaulding is home to Harvard Medical School’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and its residency program has been ranked #1 by Doximity. David also created and then led Mass General Brigham Home Care for 23 years, growing the organization into one of the largest home care systems in Massachusetts. Prior to joining Mass General Brigham and Spaulding, David was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, another nationally ranked hospital. He served in progressively responsible roles during his 18-year tenure and was recognized for his expertise in operations management, program development, strategic planning and governance. David has served on the Massachusetts Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Regional Policy Board of the American Hospital Association (AHA). He was also as a member of AHA’s Post-Acute Care Strategy Steering Committee and vice chair and board member of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA). David has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Boston Business Journal’s Champions in Healthcare Lifetime Achievement Award, the AHA’s Grassroots Champion Award and the MHA William Lane Hospital Advocate Award. Most recently he received the 2020 Edward A. Eckenhoff Memorial Award for national leadership and advocacy from AMRPA. David received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, with distinction, and a master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. He received his juris doctor degree from the Loyola University School of Law.

Andrew J. Lawler is a development partner at The Keith Corporation (TKC) with over 25 years of experience in development, consulting, planning, design and construction of public and private healthcare facilities value at over $0.6 billion. His expertise lies in feasibility and planning, financial structuring, development planning and medical office space marketing and leasing. Prior to joining TKC, Mr. Lawler was the Vice President of Healthcare Development for the East Region of Lauth where he developed over one million square feet of medical space. His extensive experience also includes working for Hammes Company, one of the nation's leading healthcare facility developers, as a senior development associate and regional manager where he was responsible for opening and managing their Atlanta office. He is a licensed real estate broker and a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina. He graduated with honors from The University of North Carolina with a Master of Science from the Gillings School of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in real estate and finance from the Kenan-Flagler Business School. Having graduated magna cum laude from Manhattan College, he received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. Andrew was also a member in the following Honor Societies: Tau Beta Phi -Engineering, Epsilon Sigma Pi -Manhattan College, Chi Epsilon -Civil Engineering, Delta Omega -Public Health, Beta Gamma Sigma - Business. Mr. Lawler is involved in numerous community and professional organizations including serving as Committee Chairperson for VWEA, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Providence Presbyterian Church, Ashburn Presbyterian Church, and coaching Wesley Chapel Weddington Athletic Association Youth Soccer & Softball.

Wendy Gettleman is currently employed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts as Vice President of Facilities Management and Real Estate. In this role, Wendy has oversight of Facilities Operations; Planning, Design and Construction; Real Estate & Energy Management; General Services including Parking & Transportation; Telecom, Conference Services and Food Services. Wendy guides the Facilities agenda including major capital construction and renovations (FY19: $450M in active projects), continuity of plant operations for all DFCI sites (2.7M square feet) and master facility space planning efforts. In her prior position as Senior Director of Planning, Design & Construction, Wendy directed design and construction of 25-35 annual capital projects with combined capital budgets of over $130 Million with a team focused on lean design principles, safe construction and fiscal responsibility. Wendy joined Dana-Farber in 2005 as Senior Project Manager then as Director of Project Management for the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. In those roles, Wendy led the project team from design through construction and occupancy in January 2011, bringing in the $330Million project under budget and ahead of schedule. In this position, she has become a leading expert in facilitating patient and family input into design, presenting this topic at the 3rd International Conference on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. In addition, the Yawkey Center Project earned gold LEED status and has received numerous project management awards. Wendy began her major construction project management career at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2001 as Senior Project Manager with a $136 Million hospital expansion project, again achieving project completion on schedule and on budget. Prior to that, Wendy was employed for 10 years with Sodexo’s Healthcare Division in operations management and division leadership positions.

William Kane has served as our Executive Vice President, East Coast & U.K. Markets since January 2019. For over 20 years, he has served in various leasing and development capacities in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Prior to joining BioMed in October 2008, he was responsible for the development of R&D, hospital, and office real estate development projects for the Fallon Company, Davis Marcus Partners, Lyme Properties, and Turner Construction. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Tufts University and Master of Business Administration Degree and Master of Science Degree from Boston University. Bill currently lives with his wife and four children in Marblehead, MA.

Andrew Potts is Vice President of Operations for Suffolk’s healthcare group. Andy’s strong expertise and in-depth understanding of healthcare clients and their project objectives has been cultivated through 30 years of experience managing construction projects for numerous high-profile healthcare institutions throughout New England. Past and current clients Andy has worked with include Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. Andy graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Noah Tolson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Lean Green Belt: Noah Tolson is Array’s Practice Area Leader for Planning. Noah’s varied experiences in developing products and bringing them to market, launching a company, and working as a strategic consultant all led to the strong importance he places on a sound plan that is informed by “round thinking” and supported by hard data. At Array, Noah monitors all planning activities within the firm and is involved during the critical planning phases of every project. In an industry where efficiency and lean practices are becoming increasingly important, Noah offers a track record of designing projects that maximize operational efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings for his clients. He brings a broad skill set to facilitate project delivery with a comprehensive understanding of various project types.

Frank Nelson is an Executive Managing Director with NGKF’s Medical/Academic Practice Group in Boston. Over the course of his 36- year career, Frank has been involved in more than seven million square feet of major medical and academic transactions, including the $180 million sale of the Boston Medical Center Portfolio, Boston Children’s Hospital’s purchase of a new 400,000 square foot Waltham campus and its 350,000 square foot Peabody campus, and a host of major land and building acquisitions/sales in the Longwood Medical Area totaling more than four million square feet. In addition, he has negotiated more than 1,500 leases, representing more than 10 million square feet of closed transactions on an agency basis and seven million square feet on a tenant representation basis. Prior to NGKF, Frank served as head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Boston-based Medical/Academic Practice Group and began his real estate career in Cushman & Wakefield’s Chicago office.

Calling on a strong passion for improving the built environment, Larry leads the planning and design of large-scale, mixed-use residential, commercial, and retail projects. Combining specialized knowledge of master planning, complex permitting, and building design, Larry carefully guides projects from concept to market—and creates distinctive spaces. With the growing demand for affordable hotel accommodations in cities, Larry and his team have recently completed the design of two new “micro hotels” in Boston. Instead of standard spaces, the hotel rooms are more like cabins on a ship, compactly designed and space efficient. Elsewhere, the hotel’s common areas are generously spacious. When he’s on the clock, Larry works to have a positive influence on how people live, work, and play. When he’s relaxing, he might be long-distance hiking or biking, taking advantage of New England’s many opportunities.

Lisa Nickerson, winner of the 2016 PRISM Award for Marketing Professional of the Year, is the true definition of an entrepreneurial businesswoman. Having earned The Nashua Telegraph’s 91 Progress’ Entrepreneur of the Year at 17 years old, Lisa is now the CEO and founder of Nickerson PR, an award-winning full-service communications agency that offers an integrated blend of public relations, social media, digital content, creative services, and events expertise. In June of 2018, Lisa was featured on Chronicle as Greater Boston’s Real Estate Expert. A multiple-industry award winner, Lisa is a well-respected, sought-after speaker and moderator, and a devotee of professional and community service. She is an active member of ULI | New England’s Advisory Board, ULI Women Leadership Institute Co-Chair and Communications Chair, American Marketing Association, Board Member & VP of Sponsorship, Boston Women in Media & Entertainment Board Member, former SIOR New England Board Member & Communications Chair, and a member of NAIOP and CREW. Lisa received her Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College in Marketing and Finance. She maintains her Massachusetts Real Estate License and is currently completing her Master of Business Administration at Babson College. Lisa received her Real Estate Certificate from Boston University. She resides in Wayland, MA, and is a proud mother of three outstanding teenagers – her two sons are highly decorated Eagle Scouts and her daughter is a competitive gymnast.