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Event Host

Richard

Richard

566 W. Lake has been Richard’s headquarters for the past 5 years but originally built between 1916-1920. This historic space once housed printers, mailing houses, and back-office operations. In 1987, it was reimagined by visionaries Thomas Snitzer and Marshall Bennett to attract tenants who saw potential in owning office space you could renovate and transform. 

That spirit of transformation makes it the perfect place for Bisnow’s healthcare gathering. 

Richard is a purpose-driven general contracting firm rooted in building projects that matter. Since 2014, we’ve delivered patient care facilities, mission-critical data centers, healthcare infrastructure upgrades, and government and environmental projects across 19 states. 

We were founded with one mission: to be a catalyst for change through construction. And we’ve stayed true to that mission ever since. 

Whether it’s healthcare, clean water, or community infrastructure, we believe buildings should help people work, heal, live, and thrive better than ever before. And we do it with unmatched attention to speed, simplicity, and safety. 

As the third largest builder of federal healthcare spaces, we're honored to host Bisnow's healthcare event—and even more honored to be hosting Chicago's AEC healthcare community, where we share a unified goal of building what’s next. 

Presenting Sponsor

Speakers and Panels

Taking the Market’s Temperature

What’s the Prognosis for Construction and Development in the Healthcare Space?

Jill Gewargis

Jill Gewargis

Vice President, Real Estate

Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

Jay Heald

Jay Heald

Managing Partner

Capital Healthcare Properties

Molly Phelan

Molly Phelan

Partner

Siegel Jennings

Alex Katz

Alex Katz

Principal

Farpoint

Michael Vinci

Michael Vinci

Principal

Eckenhoff Saunders

Craig Kos

Craig Kos

Co-Managing Principal

BR+A

Steve Daunis
Moderator

Steve Daunis

SVP

Richard

Molly Phelan

Partner

Siegel Jennings

Molly is a partner in the Chicago Office of Siegel Jennings, a national property tax law firm. As a litigator and trusted advisor, she collaborates with Owners, Asset Managers, Acquisition teams and Tax Departments to identify, create and execute property tax reduction strategies. She becomes a member of her clients’ management team. Her goal is to maximize and protect the full potential of real estate assets, minimize related tax liabilities, and resolve disputes with tax authorities and government entities.

Molly’s client experience ranges from family owned 1031 portfolios to national commercial investment funds, including special use properties such as hospital campuses to multi-million-dollar manufacturing facilities.

Her comprehensive understanding of the commercial real estate market was developed in part through her time as a real estate broker in the Chicago area prior to starting her legal career. Molly regularly represents clients in hearings before review boards, local assessors’ offices, the

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, and the circuit courts.

Alex Katz

Principal

Farpoint

Alex Katz develops healthcare facilities and hospitals using creative financing solutions and proven

development approaches.

As a Principal at Farpoint Development, he develops solutions that maximize value while enhancing

the patient experience. With a track record of structuring and capitalizing over $500 million in real

estate transactions spanning healthcare, retail, and office assets, Alex brings extensive finance and

development expertise to every property type.

His innovative approach to financing and development execution has delivered successful medical

facilities, including converting a shuttered restaurant into a two-story Northwestern Medicine facility

and reimagining a former banquet hall as an Advocate Health Care primary care center.

Prior to joining Farpoint in 2022, Alex served as Managing Director at one of the nation's leading

owners of healthcare real estate, where he led their capital markets strategy and institutional

partnerships. His deep experience in structured finance, equity formation, and development drives his

ability to align stakeholders.

Beyond his professional work, Alex demonstrates his commitment to healthcare advancement through

his support of neurodegenerative disease research, including his involvement with the Michael J. Fox

Foundation and previous leadership of the Parkinson's Disease Research Society. He holds a BA in

Political Science from Lehigh University and lives with his family in Chicago's River North neighborhood.

Michael Vinci

Principal

Eckenhoff Saunders

Mike is the co-leader of Eckenhoff Saunders’ healthcare practice, bringing over 30 years of specialized experience in healthcare design, with a portfolio totaling $1 billion in completed projects. Throughout his career, Mike has dedicated himself to mastering the intricacies of healthcare environments, consistently helping his clients surpass their goals. His commitment to excellence is reflected in the enduring relationships he has built with leading institutions throughout the region.

Craig Kos

Co-Managing Principal

BR+A

Craig Kos is the Co-Managing Principal of the BR+A Chicago Office, bringing over 25 years of progressive experience in systems design and management of complex engineering

projects for healthcare, academic, and science and technology clients nationwide. His projects have ranged from renovation of existing specialty or outpatient facilities to design of new academic medical

center acute care hospitals in dense urban environments.

Building, Developing, and Designing The Modern Patient Experience

The composition of care facilities, and what's required to create them.

Allyson Hansen

Allyson Hansen

CEO & Executive Director

Illinois Medical District

Kevin Schoolcraft

Kevin Schoolcraft

VP, Healthcare Development

Ryan Companies

Marco Capicchioni

Marco Capicchioni

VP

University of Chicago Medicine

Brian Kane

Brian Kane

Vice President

Skender

Sheri Teymouri

Sheri Teymouri

Health Planner

HDR

Kurt Lindorfer
Moderator

Kurt Lindorfer

Founding Principal

PARADIGM Structural Engineers

Allyson Hansen

CEO & Executive Director

Illinois Medical District

Allyson Hansen, MHA, CPXP has an

extensive career leading complex

healthcare organizations and ensuring

they reach their potential in delivering high

quality care while elevating the patient

experience, improving operational

efficiency and ensuring financial stability.

As the CEO & Executive Director of the

Illinois Medical District (IMD), Hansen

leads with responsibility for strategic

planning, vision, growth and daily operations. She is also tasked with fostering

relationships and collaboration among partners and stakeholders across the 560 acre

healthcare ecosystem. As the Chief Executive Hansen guides the District during a time

of explosive growth and creativity, supporting a vibrant healthcare ecosystem that

includes four anchor medical institutions and more than 40 health-related facilities.

As a seasoned executive with over 20 years’ experience in academic, community and

national healthcare systems, Hansen brings extensive experience in strategy

development and execution, operational improvement and partnerships to the IMD.

Hansen has the proven ability to successfully analyze an organization's critical business

requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities, and develop innovative

and cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness and improving performance.

She moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follow-through,

building in project management, accountability and managing for daily improvement

practices to ensure goal attainment.

Hansen developed expertise in planning and administering healthcare services across

Chicago land at UChicago Medicine, Loyola Health System, UI Health and Advocate

Health Care. Prior to joining the IMD, she was Managing Partner of The Red Penny

Group, advising national healthcare systems, medical groups and investors on growth,

integration, operations and strategic plans.

Hansen holds a Master of Health Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

from the University of South Carolina, and is trained in Lean Six Sigma, change

management and is a certified Patient Experience Professional. She is trained in Co-

Active Coaching and is a graduate of the Disney Institute for Healthcare Leadership.

Hansen is an active volunteer and advises emerging leaders and supports their career

growth in the Menttium corporate mentoring network. Hansen lives in west suburban La

Grange, where she serves on the community advisory council of Lyons Township High

School.

Kevin Schoolcraft

VP, Healthcare Development

Ryan Companies

With an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership experience in all facets of real estate development and construction, Kevin leads Ryan’s Great Lakes Region market growth and strategy as Vice President of Healthcare Development. He develops new and repurposed healthcare facilities in collaboration with health systems, physician groups, providers, owners and operators, as well as facilitates growth strategies through acquisitions, development, creative capital solutions and building services. Kevin is a strategic thinker known for exerting game-changing influence on investment strategy, deal sourcing, negotiation, and structuring of mergers and acquisitions.

During his over 30 years in the industry, he has gained valuable insights as an owner, landlord, retailer, developer, investor, and investment portfolio manager, including unique expertise in the overlap of healthcare and hospitality. His strengths include strategic conceptualization, deal sourcing, negotiation and structuring of commercial real estate investment opportunities nationally. Kevin loves the challenge of taking a project from inception through completion, incorporating all facets of commercial real estate from site selection through design, construction and operational turnover.

Brian Kane

Vice President

Skender

Brian leads Skender’s specialized Healthcare and Life Sciences market sectors, overseeing project teams responsible for various hospital, outpatient and laboratory projects. A veteran of Skender since 2008, Brian is well known for his contagious energy and commitment to quality, strategy and overall client experience.

Sheri Teymouri

Health Planner

HDR

Sheri is a licensed architect with over a decade of experience, specializing in the planning and design of healthcare facilities. As a Health Planner at HDR, she has played a key role in delivering a wide range of transformative projects, from outpatient clinics to complex academic medical centers, shaping spaces that promote healing, innovation, and operational excellence.

She is deeply committed to human-centered, evidence-based design, holding professional credentials including WELL AP and EDAC. Beyond practice, her passion for shaping the future of healthcare design extends to academia, where she leads HDR’s Graduate Healthcare Studio at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, mentoring the next generation of healthcare architects.

Kurt Lindorfer

Moderator

PARADIGM Structural Engineers

Kurt’s professional engineering career spans over 40 years. His expertise includes structural engineering design for Mission Critical Facilities such as Data Centers, Health Care Facilities such as Hospitals and Clinics and Life Sciences Facilities such as Biopharmaceutical Pilot Plants and Production Facilities around the United States and the World. His area of expertise is in designing buildings to be occupable after natural disasters including Tornados, Hurricanes and Earthquakes. He has been the structural engineer of record for conventional “fixed Base Buildings” ranging from 1-23 stories, “Base Isolated Buildings” ranging from 1-5 stories, and the retrofit and new construction of buildings incorporating Fluid Viscous Dampers ranging from 1-22 stories. He has published numerous papers on passive energy dissipation and presented the findings at various conventions in Boston, San Francisco and Milan.

For over 23 years as the Founding Principal at PARADIGM Structural Engineers, Kurt spends most of his time developing new leaders at PARADIGM and mentoring staff in Chicago and San Francisco.

A Healthy Partnership

The best practices necessary and the work required to deliver care for communities in and beyond the city limits.

Dr. Michele Nealon

Dr. Michele Nealon

President

The Chicago School

Lilian Yool

Lilian Yool

Senior Development Manager

The Habitat Company

TJ Edwards

TJ Edwards

Executive Director

Illinois Capital Development Board

Frank Sanchez

Frank Sanchez

Senior Associate

Syska Hennessy Group

Jed Richard

Jed Richard

Founder and CEO

Richard Group

Kristen Farrah
Moderator

Kristen Farrah

Lead Writer & Producer

Radio Health Journal

Jed Richard

Founder and CEO

Richard Group

Jed Richard, founder and CEO of Richard, combines his military discipline with entrepreneurial insight to revolutionize the construction industry. After serving three Tours to Afghanistan as an Airborne and Ranger Qualified Captain in the U.S. Army and working as a private contractor for the U.S. Department of State's Building Division, Jed launched his general contracting and construction management firm in 2014.

Jed's experience touring VA hospitals exposed him to the urgent need for critical infrastructure improvements, contributing to his drive to pioneer a general contracting model built on speed, collaboration, and precision. This model has led Richard to tremendous growth. Now operating in 18 states, the company has managed nearly 200 contracts, all while maintaining a people-first, purpose-driven culture that avoided layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jed's leadership has positioned Richard as a leader in building innovative, essential infrastructure across the U.S. His core purpose—building to solve the world's greatest challenges—extends to his employees, with the company actively investing in their health and well-being. Through a commitment to solving complex building challenges, Jed has built a company that not only thrives but sets new standards in the industry.

Jed was honored with the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and innovation in the construction industry. Under his direction, the company is the fastest growing construction company in the country, earning significant recognition. Richard achieved the #1 ranking for fastest growing AEC firm on Crain's Fast 50 and #16 overall in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business. Additionally, Inc.'s Midwest Regionals ranked Richard #1 in Illinois in Construction and #34 in the Midwest for fastest growing companies. The company has secured top spots on Crain's Fast 50 and Inc. Magazine's list of Fastest Growing Companies year after year.

Richard was also named one of Crain's Chicago Business and Inc. Magazine's Best Places to Work, a rare dual honor, reflecting its strong workplace culture and commitment to employee satisfaction.

Medical Office Buildings and Ambulatory Care

Designing and Structuring the Asset Class for Long Term Investment

Jon Boyajian

Jon Boyajian

Founder & Principal

Echo Real Estate Capital

Jack Gavin

Jack Gavin

EVP & Managing Director

Remedy Medical Properties

Brian Fry

Brian Fry

SVP

Ventas

Will Germain

Will Germain

CEO

MCB Science & Health

Will Follett
Moderator

Will Follett

Senior Producer

Bisnow

Jon Boyajian

Founder & Principal

Echo Real Estate Capital

As a founder and principal of Echo, Jon is responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and manages the day-to-day operations for the company. Jon’s responsibilities include sourcing new investment opportunities, debt/equity financing, leasing, project management and asset management for Echo’s portfolio of properties.  Jon has extensive experience in real estate development, land assemblage, property acquisition, corporate real estate consultation, tenant representation, and leasing.

Prior to founding Echo Real Estate Capital, Jon served as Vice President of Development for a privately held Chicago-based development firm where his list of preferred development clients included numerous national retailers and restaurants expanding throughout the Chicagoland MSA.  Prior to that, Jon helped found a Chicago-based retail brokerage company where his list of clients included: McDonald’s USA, Dollar General, Verizon Wireless, Fifth-Third Bank, Save a Lot, Sonic, Anna’s Linens, True North Energy, Flexeon Rehabilitation, and Front Burner Restaurants.

Jon began his commercial real estate career with a retail and hotel development firm and was involved in over 30 projects comprising 8+ million square feet of commercial space.

Prior to his start in commercial real estate, Jon worked in the Indianapolis Division of Centex Homes – a Fortune 500 Production home builder based in Dallas, TX.

Will Germain

CEO

MCB Science & Health

Mr. Germain has senior responsibility for executing the overall strategy of the Company. His responsibilities include

sourcing and originations investment opportunities, oversight of underwriting and due diligence, transaction structuring

and execution, development project management, operations, and asset management.

Prior to co-founding MCB Science + Health, Mr. Germain served as Senior Investment Officer, Investments for Ventas,

Inc., an S&P 500 company and real estate investment trust that owns and manages healthcare, life science, MOB and

senior living properties in North America and the United Kingdom.

As a former member of the Ventas senior leadership team, Germain was responsible for investments within the growing

university, life science, research and innovation center portfolio, the Company’s #1 capital priority. Since inception,

Germain helped grow this portfolio to over $4 billion and over 7MM SF through acquisitions and developments.

Responsible for originating, negotiating, and executing acquisitions and development opportunities, Germain has been

involved in more than

$20 billion completed real estate transactions during his tenure at Ventas.

Germain joined Ventas in 2006. Prior to overseeing the university, life science, research, and innovation center

platform, he served as Director of Acquisitions and Investments for Lillibridge Healthcare Services, a fully integrated

medical office building (MOB) operating company, completing in excess of $4BN in transactions. His earlier roles at Ventas

included asset management of the Company’s MOB and outpatient portfolio where he oversaw operations including

joint venture partnerships, third-party property management, leasing, buildouts, loan compliance, operating and capital

budgeting and financial reporting, as well as roles in acquisitions and corporate finance. He began his career at General

Electric Capital Corporation in the Financial Management Program (FMP).

Germain is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a dynamic

network of university research parks and innovation district industry leaders. He is a member of the Urban Land

Institute’s University Development and Innovation Council. Germain is a member of the Real Estate Executives Council

(REEC). He served as a member of the Board of Phase 1 Ventures (P1V) from 2016 to 2022, a program from the

Philadelphia Science Center which matches proven entrepreneurs with academic scientists to help move ideas from the

lab to the marketplace by strategically contributing expertise and funding to the commercialization process. He also

served as a Steering Committee member for the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID) from 2019 to 2022. He

serves as Vice President of the Board of High Jump, a non- profit organization that aims to equalize access to education

for Chicago middle school

Will Follett

Moderator

Bisnow

Will Follett is the Senior Producer for Bisnow's Midwest market, where he oversees content and strategy for 40+ annual programs aimed at connecting and advancing the commercial real estate industry. He previously worked at GovExec, the largest B2G marketing and events platform for public sector leaders.

A New England native turned longtime Midwesterner, he holds a degree in political science from Drake University and lives in Chicago where he enjoys the city's restaurant scene and the occasional triathlon.

Remarks from the Podium

John Bernatz

John Bernatz

VP

Shaw Industries

John Bernatz

VP

Shaw Industries

John brings over 20 years of executive corporate real estate management expertise, with a strong track record of building successful strategies for clients in complex real estate environments. As the VP of Business Development at Shaw Industries, John works closely with strategic financial equity clients to develop long-term strategies that address capital renewal needs across intricate portfolios. His ability to navigate the complexities of healthcare and senior living real estate, combined with a focus on cost management, sustainability, and operational efficiency, ensures tailored solutions that meet both client objectives and market demands.

John’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at CBRE, where he gained global expertise across multiple industry sectors, Terwilliger Plaza as the VP Operations for 1,000+ resident community and skilled nursing facility, and Oregon Health Sciences University, where he managed over 3 million square feet of complex academic and research facilities and infrastructure. His diverse background also encompasses manufacturing, product development, and hospitality, all of which inform his unique approach to real estate strategy. This breadth of experience is built on the foundation of being a noncommissioned officer in the US Army as a decorated combat medic and trauma nurse deployed to multiple combat zones. This enables John to deliver creative, people-first solutions that drive lasting business results.

Beyond his professional achievements, John enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and traveling the globe with his wife, Dyann, savoring food and wine from around the world.

Why You Should Attend this Healthcare Conference

What We'll Cover

  • Overview of Chicago's Healthcare and Landscape

    • A comprehensive analysis of the current state of Midwest medicine, including the key metrics, emerging trends, and the impact of population growth on healthcare demand.

  • Innovations in Healthcare Facility Design

    • Exploring the latest trends in healthcare facility design, with a focus on creating patient-centered environments that enhance care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

  • Technology and Telehealth Integration

    • A discussion on the role of technology and telehealth in modern healthcare, including how real estate professionals can support the integration of these solutions into healthcare facilities.

  • For Developers: Investment and Construction Strategies

    • Insights into investment opportunities in healthcare real estate, including outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, and the growing demand for specialized healthcare spaces.

  • Financing and Operational Excellence for Healthcare Facilities

    • From conception and capital raising to execution and development, how can all members of the project cycle work together to deliver the optimal patient experience?

How You’ll Do More Business: 

Bisnow's Chicago Healthcare event explores brings together leaders from community health, real estate development, and scientific innovation for  a clinical study of an altruistic goal; We'll assess the fundamentals of a changing real estate market, dive deep into the sector's culture of innovation and desire for constant improvement, and welcome healthcare systems, investors, operators, and more to determine the long-term prognosis for one of the region's fastest growing real estate markets.

Who Attends Bisnow's Chicago Healthcare and Life Sciences Events: Representatives from Rush, Northwestern, Farpoint, Advocate Health, and more, alongside c-suite leaders from universities, healthcare systems, Investors, owners, developers, lenders, tenants, brokers, architects, contractors, engineers, property managers, and others.

About Bisnow: Bisnow events convene the biggest power players in the industry for conversations and networking geared to help you grow your business across a complex market. With engaging panels, exclusive networking opportunities and the largest and most equipped audience in the field, Bisnow’s unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the market makes attendance a value add for any CRE and healthcare professional. 

Questions about your ticket purchase or interested in sponsoring? Reach out to customerservice@bisnow.com for customer support. For questions, recommendations, comments, or press inquiries please email Will Follett at Will.Follett@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact janet.fernandez@bisnow.com no later than seven business days before the event.

Agenda

Time Activity
1:45 PM
2:40 PM
Breakfast & Networking
2:40 PM
3:40 PM
Taking the Market’s Temperature

What’s the Prognosis for Construction and Development in the Healthcare Space?

3:40 PM
4:30 PM
Building, Developing, and Designing The Modern Patient Experience

The composition of care facilities, and what's required to create them.

4:30 PM
5:00 PM
Lunch
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Medical Office Buildings and Ambulatory Care

Designing and Structuring the Asset Class for Long Term Investment

6:00 PM
7:00 PM
A Healthy Partnership

The best practices necessary and the work required to deliver care for communities in and beyond the city limits.

PS - Want the attendee list for free?

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