Healthcare in the PNW: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Building a Resilient Healthcare Ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest

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  Elizabeth Wako

  Dr. Wako is a proven executive with 30 years of experience in health care. Having started her career as a psychiatric nurse, she later went on to medical school, completing a residency in anesthesiology as well as a fellowship in perioperative medicine at the University of Washington. She also earned an MBA from the UW Foster School of Business and has served in key executive roles since joining Swedish in 2011, including her most recent position as chief executive of Providence Swedish’s Central Service Area.

  Swedish Health Services

  Interim President & CEO

  Elizabeth Wako

  Interim President & CEO

  Swedish Health Services

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  Mike Glenn

  Mike Glenn joined Jefferson Healthcare as CEO in October 2010. He also served as CEO of Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles from 1999 to 2006.  Mike spent two+ years as Sr. Vice President of Business Development and Product Line Management at Valley Medical Center, a 303-bed, public hospital district in Renton.  Prior to Valley Medical Center, Mike was the COO at Providence St. Peter Hospital, a 364-bed hospital in Olympia.  A native Washingtonian, Mike was born in Olympia and earned a degree in Political Science from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and a Masters of Health Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Affiliations include: Peninsula College, Board of Trustees WSHA Safety and Quality Committee, Co-chair Washington State Hospital Association, Board Member AHA Regional Policy Board, Alternate Member Rural Hospital Committee Association of Washington Public Hospital District, Past President Foundation for Health Care Quality, Past Board Member Northwest Hospital Council, Past President American College of Healthcare Executives

  Jefferson Healthcare

  CEO

  Mike Glenn

  CEO

  Jefferson Healthcare

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  Cynthia Dold

  Cynthia Dold began serving as the interim president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics on Oct. 2, 2022. In this role, she is responsible for leading a clinical system with three hospitals, a network of primary, urgent and specialty care clinics and an air medical transport service. In previous positions at UW Medicine, including Associate Vice President for Clinical Operations and Director of Strategic Planning and Clinical Integration, Dold has led diverse teams of employees focused on access, digital health, service line implementation, emergency management and post-acute care. She has also provided administrative oversight for UW Medicine’s nationally recognized response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dold is known for leading strategic planning initiatives and fostering collaborations with federal, state and local government leaders and other healthcare organizations. At Public Health – Seattle & King County, she developed and led a public-private partnership to assure disaster preparedness. At Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, she managed a national product council that developed an industry leading medical and non-medical selection and standardization program. Dold has a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley. She has a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA.

  UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics

  COO

  Cynthia Dold

  COO

  UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics

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  Gary Bruce

  I work with hospitals, health systems, and other ‎healthcare organizations to find practical and patient-focused solutions to complex challenges. I truly enjoy my job and the opportunity to work with so many smart, dedicated, and thoughtful healthcare professionals. Before coming to Schwabe, I spent 10 years at St. Charles Health ‎System (SCHS), where I served as Vice President and General ‎Counsel. In that role, I provided legal advice and counsel to the board of ‎directors, executive leadership, and medical staff while overseeing ‎the health system’s legal and risk management departments. I served as a staff attorney for six years at Mission Health, ‎Inc. in Asheville, North Carolina, prior to my time at SCHS. These experiences have ‎given me an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of ‎healthcare companies and the particular legal challenges they face.‎ I’ve taught health law classes for Willamette Law School, the University of Oregon’s ‎Executive MBA Program, as well as Central Oregon Community ‎College’s nursing program. In 2006, I was awarded Mission ‎Health, Inc.’s Spirit of Martin Luther King Award for outstanding ‎achievement in the fields of diversity and cultural awareness.‎

  Schwabe

  Attorney

  Gary Bruce

  Attorney

  Schwabe

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  George Ward

  George Ward has been with AldrichVKP. since 1998 and has been leading the company as President/CEO since 2019. In addition to corporate leadership responsibilities, George leads Aldrich’s business development and marketing efforts to position the company for project opportunities that align with the business strategy and core values of the organization. Aldrich is a General Contractor 100% focused on projects in the health and science sector and has been serving the Pacific Northwest out of Bothell, WA since 1972. Their greatest strength is in the construction of new mid-sized medical/life science buildings (10,000 SF to 100,000 SF) and renovation projects in occupied facilities with critical environments and sophisticated equipment. The consistency of high quality and safe construction practices has led to long standing relationships with some of the most recognizable healthcare clients in the Puget Sound including hospitals, developers, private practices, community health, and non-profit organizations.

  AldrichVKP

  President & CEO

  George Ward

  President & CEO

  AldrichVKP

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  Michael Harder

  As the Vice President and General Manager for Mortenson's Seattle office, Michael has a proven track record of customer service, operational excellence, and a commitment to team member development, making him a trusted partner to customers and a mentor to team members. Before his current position, Michael was pivotal in the growth and development of Mortenson's healthcare portfolio and expertise. He worked with teams on a multitude of West Coast-focused healthcare projects, including critical projects such as the Madigan Army Medical Center on JBLM, the Campus Redevelopment and Seismic retrofit of the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Francisco, Group Health's (Kaiser) Bellevue flagship project, and the Providence Regional Medical Center Everett - Cymbaluk Medical Tower. Under Michael's leadership, Mortenson quickly became a leader in the Seattle healthcare market, earning awards from Providence, Group Health (Kaiser), Swedish, and Central Washington Hospitals. The continual focus on providing an exceptional client experience cultivated by Michael has led to Mortenson's award for one of the region's most significant projects, the Swedish First Hill Transformation. Michael has over 35 years of industry experience, is a Design-Build Institute of America Associate, LEED Accredited Professional, and is a passionate advocate for impactful sustainability change and transformation.

  Mortenson

  VP

  Moderator

  Michael Harder

  VP

  Mortenson

Addressing the Growing Need for Behavioral Health Space

Meeting the Demand by Developing, Designing, and Adapting Healthcare Spaces to Accommodate Behavioral Health Needs

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  Katrina Egner

  Katrina Egner is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Sound. Katrina Egner is responsible for setting the strategic direction for Sound. Egner joined Sound as an intern in 1997. During her two-and-a-half-decade career with the organization, she has served in a variety of roles, including as a crisis services coordinator, mental health specialist and a director overseeing numerous critical programs: crisis services, admissions, the transition support program, re-entry case management services, the housing voucher program, mental health and veterans’ courts, and Sound’s commercial insurance business line. Most recently she served as executive vice president and chief programs officer, where she was integral in implementing Reaching Recovery, a measurement-based model of service that customizes clients’ care based on their evolving needs while on their path to recovery. She continues to exemplify her comment and commitment,“I am honored to lead Sound’s team of compassionate, dedicated professionals as we evolve to meet the changing needs of our community,” said Egner. “Sound is providing innovative, integrated care that combines behavioral health, substance use disorder and primary care coordination to treat the whole person. As our community grows, this work is more important than ever, and I am proud of the incredible people at Sound who make a difference every day.” Egner is a licensed mental health counselor and child mental health specialist. She has a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Washington, and an MA in Couples and Family Therapy from Antioch University.

  Sound Health

  President & CEO

  Katrina Egner

  President & CEO

  Sound Health

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  Tom Kozaczynski

  Tom Kozaczynski has been with Compass Health since March of 2013. Tom’s previous positions include managing major corporate giving for the Seattle International Film Festival, foundation and annual giving at North Helpline Food Bank, the University of Washington, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle where he worked on program management and budgeting. Tom has been actively involved in the Association of Fundraising Professionals Washington Chapter, Advancement Northwest, serving on multiple committees to support the philanthropy sector in our region. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Everett where he represents Compass Health and serves on various committees, including as a board member on the Everett Rotary Youth Foundation. Tom holds his Bachelor Degree in Economics and Law, Societies, and Justice from the University of Washington, and holds his Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington with an emphasis on non-profit management and fundraising. At Compass Health, Tom is in charge of major foundation, corporate, and individual giving, and oversees the growth and strategic development of Compass Health’s Development Department. Tom’s favorite part about working at Compass Health is connecting the passions of donors and funders in our community to the amazing and life-changing work being done by our staff each day. He believes we have the most highly trained, professional, caring, and mission driven people of any place that he has worked.

  Compass Health

  Chief Advancement Officer

  Tom Kozaczynski

  Chief Advancement Officer

  Compass Health

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  Jake Rohe

  Jake brings a passion for addressing healthcare real estate holistically as part of the entire healthcare delivery continuum. His dedication to understanding the new world of healthcare consumerism makes PMB an integral part of our clients’ healthcare strategies and solutions. Jake has been with the firm since 2005 and focuses on the overall vision and strategy of the company including financial, operational, growth, team and delivery partnerships. Jake is responsible for sourcing, structuring and leading development opportunities including deal structuring, entitling, financing, and managing ground-up development projects from inception to occupancy. Jake is a LEED® Accredited Professional and has a California real estate broker’s license. He is on the ULI Health Care and Life Sciences Council, an advisory board member of Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Environmental Design and holds active memberships in the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Cornell Real Estate Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. Jake received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University in 2003, a Certificate in Real Estate Finance, Investments and Development and a Certificate in Healthcare Transformation from the University of California Irvine. Jake lives in Encinitas, CA with his wife and three kids

  PMB

  Managing Partner and President

  Jake Rohe

  Managing Partner and President

  PMB

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  Jim Wolch

  A registered architect with 33 years of experience, Jim is passionate about designing spaces where people thrive. Because of this commitment, he has devoted much of his career to healthcare and behavioral health design and serves as BCRA’s healthcare market lead. Within this ever-evolving market, he brings knowledge of regulations, best practices, and lessons learned in behavioral health and medical office design. Recently, he led a multidisciplinary team through programming and design for WA Department of Social and Health Services’ innovative new mental health facilities across the state. The first facility is now serving patients. Under Jim’s leadership, BCRA’s healthcare design philosophy has embraced a practice of creating restorative healthcare facilities that harmoniously connect people to each other and to their environment; thoughtful spaces that improve outcomes for patients and allow staff to do their best work.

  BCRA

  Principal

  Jim Wolch

  Principal

  BCRA

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  Marc Everson

  Project Executive

  Abbott Construction

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  Brandon Brazas

  Brandon Brazas is a senior project manager at Korsmo Construction with 11 years of experience delivering quality projects with a high degree of client satisfaction, as proven by consistent repeat clients. He leads dynamic project teams with a focus on healthcare facility construction in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. His healthcare project experience includes four recent behavioral health residential care facilities, as well as health and wellness centers, medication- assisted treatment clinics, and assisted living facilities. Brandon is committed to meeting his clients’ goals for sustainability, innovation, budget and schedule performance, and diverse business inclusion. He is a certified LEED AP Building Design + Construction professional with a degree in construction management.

  Korsmo Construction

  Senior Project Manager

  Brandon Brazas

  Senior Project Manager

  Korsmo Construction

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  Darci Hernandez

  Darci leads Boulder Associates’ Orange County office, with clients such as Hoag, UCLA, Providence, City of Hope, and CommonSpirit (formerly Dignity Health). She emphasizes innovation in design and delivery, and has embraced lean approaches to both to bring value to clients and projects. She maintains a deep knowledge of the business of healthcare and an eye towards the future of healthcare delivery to fulfill her role of being a trusted advisor to her clients.

  Boulder Associates

  Principal

  Moderator

  Darci Hernandez

  Principal

  Boulder Associates

Enhancing the Patient Experience: Advancements and Innovations in Healthcare Facilities

Thoughtful Construction, Development & Design in Today's Challenging Market Conditions

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  Jeff West

  Jeff West (he, him, his) is Fred Hutch’s vice president of Facilities & Campus Operations. West manages and provides overall leadership for Fred Hutch operations in Facilities Planning& Administration, Facilities Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety and General Operational Services. West is responsible for developing, executing and monitoring strategic plans and programs in operational areas reporting into him. He also advises the chief administrative officer on matters relating to all areas of the organization in support of the business goals and mission of Fred Hutch. Before coming to Fred Hutch in 2022, West was the vice president of Real Estate Strategy and Operations at Providence St. Joseph Health and oversaw the Real Estate, Facilities, Construction and Environmental Services departments in California. His work in real estate development and management has sent him up and down the West Coast, from Portland, where he brought the country’s first LEED Urban District online, to Southern California, where he integrated regional real estate and construction teams for Providence into the broader health system

  Fred Hutch

  Vice President, Facilities & Campus Operations

  Jeff West

  Vice President, Facilities & Campus Operations

  Fred Hutch

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  Vickie Cleator

  As a director focused on operational improvement and business growth, I employ a clear vision and keen strategic plan to avoid and overcome pitfalls in project implementation. I currently manage an operating budget of $30M and capital project budgets up to $300M, delivering results that further our organizational mission while achieving significant cost savings and generating additional revenue streams. My motivation is not only to develop creative ways to meet business needs, but to craft solutions that add value and exceed expectations in surprising ways. My career began in a laboratory, performing pharmaceutical research and development at Immunex. Being tasked with establishing a lab for a start-up corporation ignited my passion for facilities and operations, and soon I was managing and directing large projects at Targeted Genetics and Corixa. After serving as a consultant with The Staubach Company, I transitioned into director and VP roles with Seattle Children’s Research Institute, where I currently oversee a 1.1M square-foot campus with 7 sites. Capabilities include: Project Management and Execution, Creative Problem Solving, Process Improvement, Strategic Planning, Negotiating, CGMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Budget Oversight, Change Management

  Seattle Children's Research Institute

  Vice President, Research Service Line Operations

  Vickie Cleator

  Vice President, Research Service Line Operations

  Seattle Children's Research Institute

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  Sierra Spitulski

  Associate Principal

  P2S Inc.

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  Sangmin Lee

  Sangmin Lee, HDR Design Director, is an award-winning architect who has worked in more than 10 countries with diverse cultures throughout the world, including China, the UK, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the UAE, and the United States. He has practiced architectural design for over 20 years and has been responsible for the formulation of concepts and completion of design of innovative architecture and large-scale healthcare, science + technology, and corporate projects. His diligence in melding cultural identity with corporate identity through a global understanding of differences in how serves are marketed and delivered has established his reputation for implementing innovative branding strategies into the design process.

  HDR

  Design Director

  Sangmin Lee

  Design Director

  HDR

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  Scott Redman

  Scott has been involved with Sellen for most of his life, starting as a laborer on various projects throughout his school years. After working in local and national politics and government for several years, Scott joined the firm on a full-time basis in 1992 as director of client development. Today, Scott provides leadership at Sellen as the company’s CEO. He serves as a principal on many of Sellen’s largest projects, including new facilities and expansions for the Puget Sound’s leading healthcare organizations. In addition to his strategic leadership at Sellen, Scott is actively involved with many local institutions, including Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, the University of Washington Foundation, and KEXP.

  Sellen Construction

  CEO

  Scott Redman

  CEO

  Sellen Construction

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  Ryan Ware

  Ryan Ware is co-founder and vice president of construction for Vantis, one of the largest commercial interior construction firms in Northern California. He is an expert in off-site construction modes and methods, including prefab, volumetric, panelized and precast construction; “lean” design and construction; and alternative contract delivery methods that optimize skilled trades labor. Vantis specializes in off-site construction as part of its design-build service. Vantis integrates pre- construction planning, off-site fabrication and multi-trade subcontractors to deliver custom interior spaces that are flexible and optimized for peak performance on Day 2 and Day 222. Vantis clients are general contractors and space occupiers in the corporate, technology, healthcare and education sectors. Representative GC clients: Devcon, DPR, Novo, Swinerton, XL. Representative corporate, technology, healthcare and education clients: Cisco, Silicon Labs, Stanford, Sutter Health, Symantec, UC Berkeley, Veterans Administration.

  Vantis

  President

  Ryan Ware

  President

  Vantis

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  Kurt Kruckeberg

  Kurt Kruckeberg provides healthcare real estate legal services to for-profit and nonprofit hospital systems and significant providers of healthcare services across the Pacific Northwest. Kurt often works on complex healthcare development projects involving leasing, construction, and real estate finance. Kurt also helps healthcare companies navigate significant real estate goals, including acquisitions, dispositions, and developing major real estate portfolios. Kurt keeps clients up-to-date on matters that may affect their plans or operations by closely following real estate and business trends in our region.

  Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson

  Attorney

  Moderator

  Kurt Kruckeberg

  Attorney

  Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson

Navigating a Volatile Landscape: Moving Healthcare Projects Ahead

Exploring How Remote Work Affected Operations, Delivery, Development, and the Importance of Building a Network of Trust and Reliability

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  Katie Newman

  Katie Newman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of High Point Healthcare Real Estate, LLC, and a passionate leader with over 25 years of experience in the design, construction, and development industry. She has successfully managed the development of over 1 million square feet of healthcare real estate, including medical facilities, surgery centers, and senior housing facilities, all with a strong focus on serving communities. Katie’s journey began as an architect, where her hands-on approach to designing and building projects across various sectors laid the foundation for her reputation as a collaborative problem solver. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and simplify them into actionable solutions has empowered her clients to create spaces that enhance the well-being of the communities they serve. With expertise spanning the entire real estate process—from community engagement and project kick-off to first patient day—Katie ensures that every project she leads receives meticulous attention while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. She collaborates closely with community stakeholders, ensuring that each development not only meets industry standards but also aligns with the needs of the people who live, work, and heal in these spaces. Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Rice University and an MBA in Real Estate and Strategy from Southern Methodist University, both of which have fueled her passion for creating impactful spaces that foster healthier communities.

  High Point Healthcare Real Estate

  CEO

  Katie Newman

  CEO

  High Point Healthcare Real Estate

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  Heather Chung

  Heather Chung leads SmithGroup’s Health Studio and builds teams with a holistic and integrated approach to designing next-generation healthcare environments. Her passion lies in bringing together diverse voices and expertise to respond to the ever-evolving needs and aspirations around keeping people and communities well. With over 20 years of experience, she works nationally with complex client organizations and leading institutions including academic medical centers, freestanding community hospitals and large-scale health systems. She is currently serving as SmithGroup’s Project Executive for the UC Davis Health California Tower, a $3.75B Progressive Design-Build project and is Board President of the Association of Medical Facility Professionals, Northern California Chapter.

  SmithGroup

  VP

  Heather Chung

  VP

  SmithGroup

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  Steve Lind

  Steve Lind leads Boldt's California market with high-performing teams as the Vice President and General Manager. With 16 years at Boldt, he champions innovation and teamwork, emphasizing Lean Construction principles, financial health, business strategy, risk management, and client goals. His hands-on approach ensures project success from conception to completion, prioritizing safety, culture, and reliable performance. A mentor at heart, Steve fosters growth and excellence in individuals and teams. His industry influence extends through affiliations with DBIA, LCI, AGC, and sits on the board for Mission Hiring Hall & CIEF.

  Boldt Construction

  VP

  Steve Lind

  VP

  Boldt Construction

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  Craig Holt

  Project Executive

  Andersen Construction

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  Jamey Barlet

  Jamey has over 20 years of experience in healthcare seamlessly blending interior and architectural design. He brings a unique understanding of clinicians and patients to create spaces that embody compassion, comfort, and a total sense of well-being. Jamey has successfully developed strategies that break down barriers in alternative delivery methods to create strong partnerships between the client, architect, and contractor that enhance the project outcomes and create long-term value.

  CollinsWoerman

  Associate Principal

  Moderator

  Jamey Barlet

  Associate Principal

  CollinsWoerman

Evolving Healthcare Spaces: Building for Tomorrow

Discussing Sustainability, Energy Footprint, Building Automation, Tech Integration and Strategies for Future-proof Healthcare Facilities

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  Mike Denney

  As SVP, Chief Real Estate Officer at Providence Health & Services, Mike is responsible for the Real Estate Strategy & Operations teams including Planning & Design, Construction Project Management, Facilities, EVS, Physical Security, Life Safety, Acquisitions, Dispositions and Leasing, Portfolio Strategy, Real Estate Development, Property Management and Lease Administration for Providence's 52 Hospital Ministries and over 1,300 outpatient and administrative sites across 7 states in the Western US.

  Providence

  SVP, Chief Real Estate Officer

  Mike Denney

  SVP, Chief Real Estate Officer

  Providence

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  Camilla Yamada

  Camilla Yamada is the Healthcare Market Lead for UMC. With more than a dozen years of healthcare experience in facility management and construction, she spends the majority of her time trying to make it easier for healthcare organizations to do the right thing. Camilla is a lifelong learner and firm believer that education is the one thing that can never be taken away. She credits strong mentorship as the driver for her innate curiosity and believes that the world will get better every day when we build and share the wisdom of past mentors. She holds her MS in Disaster Medicine & Management and maintains her CHFM, CHC, BOC L1 & L2. Camilla is a mother, a quick to hugger, adventure lover, and status quo disruptor.

  UMC

  Healthcare Market Lead

  Camilla Yamada

  Healthcare Market Lead

  UMC

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  Mark Castle

  Mark Castle is the General Manager for the Pacific Northwest Branch Office of Schneider Electric. With 15 years of experience in the Building Automation & Security industry, Mark is responsible for overseeing current and future solutions delivered by the Schneider Electric Digital Buildings team in the Seattle market. He has a passion for problem solving and working as a team to deliver projects efficiently, leveraging the latest technology to enhance the overall experience for all stakeholders. Previously located on the East Coast, Mark recently supported the design, construction and implementation of various low voltage technology solutions for one of the largest hospitals in the country, a 1.5M sq foot, $1.5B facility for Penn Medicine.

  Schneider Electric

  Manager

  Mark Castle

  Manager

  Schneider Electric

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  Eric Olson

  Eric Olson is the PNW Business Unit Leader with Clark Construction and supports their Pacific Northwest Healthcare practice. As a 25-year veteran of construction in the healthcare industry, Eric is responsible for leading large teams to deliver complex projects. Being a native Washintonian, Eric has witnessed first hand the evolution of Healthcare Construction over the past 25 years and looks forward to supporting it's continued growth. Eric has led and worked with healthcare teams for many clients, including: Swedish, Providence, Harrison, CHI, Peace Health and University of Washington, and on projects ranging from Orthopaedic Expansions to Integrated Cancer Centers to Operation Rooms and Behavioral Health.

  Clark Construction

  Vice President and PNW Business Unit Leader

  Eric Olson

  Vice President and PNW Business Unit Leader

  Clark Construction

• Moderator

  Roberta Dillan

  District Manager

  Mannington

Opening Remarks

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  Victoria Nichols

  Victoria Nichols is a partner at ZGF Architects with more than two decades of experience managing the planning, programming, and design of a variety of projects in the healthcare sector. Her focus is on collaboration—working closely with project teams and stakeholders to deliver patient-focused facilities that provide clients with optimal value. Victoria’s holistic approach to each phase of the design process has led to highly flexible, award-winning healthcare environments for clients such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, consistently ranked among the U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Best Children’s Hospitals.

  ZGF Architects

  Partner

  Opening Remarks

  Victoria Nichols

  Partner

  ZGF Architects