Seattle Healthcare Forum

Gary S. Kaplan, MD, FACP, FACMPE, FACPE, has served as chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason Health System in Seattle since 2000. He is also a practicing, board-certified internal medicine physician at Virginia Mason. He is chair of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Board of Directors and the chairman of the Lucian Leape Institute. He is also the immediate past chair of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in 2013. Dr. Kaplan is also: (1) A founding member of Health CEOs for Health Reform. (2) A member of the National Patient Safety Foundation Board of Directors. (3) A member of the American Medical Association; American Medical Group Association; American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety; and the Medical Group Management Association. (4) A member of the Washington Healthcare Forum Board of Directors Dr. Kaplan received a degree in medicine from the University Michigan Medical School. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE) and the American College of Physician Executives (FACPE). With Dr. Kaplan’s leadership, in 2002 Virginia Mason became the first health system in the United States to adapt the principles of the Toyota Production System as its management methodology for identifying and eliminating waste, improving quality and safety, and controlling cost. Using tools and resources of the Virginia Mason Production System, Virginia Mason has earned international recognition for innovation, quality, safety and efficiency. In 2010, Virginia Mason was named a Top Hospital of the Decade by The Leapfrog Group, a national non-profit organization representing employers and other large purchasers of health care that are driving improvements in quality, safety and transparency. Dr. Kaplan has been on Modern Healthcare magazine’s annual list of the “50 Most Influential Physician Executives and Leaders in Healthcare” for ten consecutive years. He is ranked No. 10 on the 2015 list. Additionally, Dr. Kaplan is ranked No. 15 on Modern Healthcare magazine’s 2015 list of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.” Updated: October 2015

Thomas A. Kruse is the chief strategy, integration and innovation officer for CHI Franciscan Health. In this role, he has accountability for system- wide strategy and regional business development, strategic planning, government affairs, marketing, communications and community relations, clinical and operational integration, and bringing innovation to care delivery and evolving customer expectations. Before joining CHI Franciscan Health, Mr. Kruse was the executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Hackensack University Health Network and Medical Center where he oversaw regional network strategy, growth and development. He was also Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Washington, which is now part of CHI Franciscan Health. Previously, he led strategy functions at The Methodist Hospitals in northwest Indiana, Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, California, and Genesis Health System in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Kruse received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and his Master’s in Healthcare Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

SeaPac is one of the premier retail brokerage and consulting firms in the Puget Sound/WA Market. Since 1978 SeaPac has specialized in retail services for retailers, property owners, landlords and developers. We are the state of Washington member for Chainlinks Retail Advisors, the nation’s leading retail network. Jeff Rosen is a partner and works as a retail real estate broker.

Under Phil’s guidance, CollinsWoerman has completed healthcare projects for nearly every healthcare provider in the Puget Sound region. With his background working directly within the healthcare industry as a former Director at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Phil is uniquely qualified to lead CollinsWoerman's healthcare team, working closely with market leaders Hugh Campbell and Lori Epler Hout, among others.

Dave has 17 years of experience in mechanical engineering. A LEED Accredited Professional, he has worked on many sustainable projects including several LEED and Net Zero Energy certified buildings. Through his extensive experience with healthcare facilities, Dave is exceptionally skilled at providing designs for controlled environments. With long term clients including Kaiser, Legacy, Tuality and PeaceHealth, Dave’s designs focus on improving patient care, reducing operating and maintenance costs and improving energy efficiency.

Brad Hinthorne is a Principal with the 120-person Seattle office of leading global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will. Brad brings nearly three decades of experience with complex urban projects, including leadership roles on master planning, programming and design efforts for a diversity of public and private clients across a variety of practice areas including healthcare, higher education, corporate, commercial and civic. In addition to his management and leadership responsibilities, Brad heads Perkins+Will’s healthcare practice in Seattle, including serving as Managing Principal for the Swedish First Hill Expansion, one of the largest healthcare expansion projects in the country.

Steve Brooks, President of UMC, brings his expertise as a mechanical engineer with over 24 years of experience to the forefront of the life sciences industry. Fueled by his unwavering passion, creativity, and curiosity related to design, building, and project efficiency, Steve constantly seeks innovative approaches to drive progress. Throughout his notable career, he has honed his skills primarily in the biotech design realm, spearheading more than 10,000 biotech renovation and retrofit projects. From the very start of his professional journey, Steve has been an integral part of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, serving as a steadfast partner in designing and constructing their high-performance, cutting-edge life sciences facilities. His extensive involvement with Fred Hutch and other life sciences and biotech research centers has granted him a profound understanding of the industry's demands and complexities. Steve's expertise spans across various divisions of the UMC business, including engineering, special projects, major projects, industrial, and virtual construction/BIM. This comprehensive grasp of the design-build construction industry empowers him to navigate its intricacies and adapt to diverse challenges with ease. Driven by a strong belief in giving back, Steve is committed to sharing his vast knowledge with aspiring professionals. As a regular speaker at industry events and a guest instructor for both Washington State University's construction management program and Seattle University's mechanical engineering program, he imparts invaluable insights gained throughout his career. Steve holds a mechanical engineering degree from Seattle University and proudly hails from Spokane. Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds joy in his role as a devoted husband and father to two adorable daughters.

Mark Krejchi earned a Doctorate in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. After completing postdoctoral fellowships at California Institute of Technology and Stanford University, Mark took a position at Wilsonart LLC where he has played important roles in the design, development, and commercialization of innovative decorative surfacing solutions, both in the US and abroad. Mark holds several patents in areas that involve the materials and processes required to produce decorative surfacing products. He has expertise in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetic engineering, and polymer material science as well as commercial product development and business innovation. He is a frequent guest speaker in both academic and industrial circles, and has the ability to breakdown complex, technical subjects into a visually rich narrative that provides meaningful content within a context that those not skilled in the art can appreciate. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-krejchi-ph-d-38052417/

As Project Executive, Kyle leads teams to execute primarily healthcare green field and renovation projects. His primary responsibility is to interface with the client, lead his teams to success on execution of the work and deliver an exceptional construction experience for our customers, business partners, and employees. After a successful 15 plus year career working for a local general contractor and owner’s representative firm, Kyle joined Abbott in early 2013. Having worked and lived in the Pacific Northwest all his life, Kyle has developed longstanding and deep relationships with his clients and subcontractors in the Seattle market. He has been involved with many different types of projects, working for clients such as MultiCare Health Systems, Providence Health & Services, Swedish Medical Group & Northwest Hospital/UW Medicine.