Programming will be offered Monday and Tuesday. The exhibit hall will be open one day only, Tuesday. Schedule subject to change.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)
Below is the number of Contact Hours / CEUs for attending the following days:
Sunday: 2.5 Contact Hours or 2.5 CEUs
Monday: 6 Contact Hours or 6 CEUs
Tuesday: 5 Contact Hours or 5 CEUs
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers: MWHCEC has also been approved as a continuing education provider.
U.S Green Building Council: LEED professionals can report their hours for Continuing Education towards maintaining their credentials. Learn more.
The International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (IBFCSM): IBFCSM recognizes continuing education offered at state, regional, and national conferences. IBFCSM tracks CE in clock hours – 1 CEU is equal to 10 clock hours. Participants must have documentation stating the topics covered, attendance, and number of CEUs or clock hours. CE must meet the content blueprint for the corresponding certification.
Sunday, November 2
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Just like hospitals are not “cookie cutter” designed and operated, healthcare facility managers have a number of unique traits, environments, and responsibilities that can make understanding and communicating with them a real challenge. This presentation explores the core driving forces, characteristics, and environments that can help better understand and support healthcare facility managers. This presentation is wildly well suited for those that support the healthcare facility industry (vendors/professional members) as well as a cathartic, informative, and entertaining reflection for future, current, and past healthcare facility leadership!
Presenter:
Owensboro Community & Technical CollegeHFL Program Director & Professor
Mike Canales is a 30+ year Healthcare Engineering Professional, who has worked as a Healthcare Facilities Director for 21 years. Mike is currently in his 10th year serving as the program director for the Healthcare Facilities Leadership degree and Facility Healthcare Technician program at Owensboro Community and Technical College. Mike is the President of the healthcare technician development organization called IHFEA (Institute for Healthcare Engineering Advancement), the organizations main credential is the CHFT – Certified Healthcare Facilities Technician. Mike earned the CHFM certification in 2003, and is a founding member and past president of the Virginia Society of Healthcare Engineers(VSHE). Mike has expertise in Clinical Engineering, Maintenance & Plant Operations, Security, Emergency Management, Project Management, Environmental Services, Telecommunications, Public Water Works, Leadership Development and Education. Mike is passionate about the professional development and advancement of healthcare facilities leaders from the entry level to the seasoned veteran. Mike holds a Masters in Personal Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University and a Bachelors of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from DeVry University. Mike received the 2022 ASHE Presidents Award for his work on the healthcare facilities developmental pathway.
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, November 3
7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
“Aging infrastructure, shrinking operations budgets, retiring skilled workers; oh my! Hospitals are facing a perfect storm when it comes to maintaining equipment. There is a lot of hubbub about training, but not all training is created equal. You need training processes that are clear, functional, and repeatable; not more certificates that are functionally equivalent to a Theories-of-Social-Dynamics-in-17th-Century-Russia degree.
This session explores how healthcare organizations can bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing technicians with training that enables them to safely and effectively perform essential maintenance tasks in-house. Attendees will gain a framework for evaluating and optimizing predictive maintenance schedules, understanding where in-house technicians can be most impactful, and learning strategies to strengthen technician engagement and long-term workforce resilience.”
Presenter:
Lantern MedicalCo-Founder
Wes has worked in the healthcare industry for 19 years. He specializing in medical gas systems, certification, and engineering compliance. His favorite part of work is finding creative solutions for hospital training, his favorite part of not-work is his family, and his favorite author is CS Lewis.
Co-Presenter:
Lantern MedicalCo-Founder
Adam Quirk is the co-founder of Lantern Medical, a company pioneering predictive maintenance and training solutions for hospital facilities. With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience spanning healthcare technology, manufacturing, and operations, Adam has built businesses that blend technical innovation with practical service. Prior to Lantern, he co-founded Cardinal Spirits and has worked extensively at the intersection of tech and hands-on service industries. Adam’s current focus is on applying AI-powered tools and data-driven insights to help hospitals anticipate failures and streamline repairs—boosting safety, compliance, and cost efficiency.
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Redmond Ramos, former Navy Corpsman, combat veteran, and champion athlete, will be our Keynote Speaker at MWHCEC 2025! After losing his leg in Afghanistan, Redmond transformed adversity into triumph, proving that resilience knows no limits. His powerful story of perseverance and success will leave you inspired to conquer any challenge.
Presenter:
U.S. Navy
Redmond has been involved in public speaking since 2008. While in the military, he was always striving to teach his junior Corpsmen (field medics) and Marines combat trauma management. Redmond was in charge of training the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) in combat medicine during Exercise Forest Light 2010 in Sekiyama, Japan.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
This presentation will uncover the often-overlooked inspection requirements that are critical to maintaining a compliant and reliable fire sprinkler system. We’ll break down the NFPA, Joint Commission, ACHC, and DNV mandated timelines for 5-year internal pipe inspections, 3-year air leak tests on dry/pre-action systems, and the milestone testing of sprinkler heads at 10, 20 and 50 years. Designed for healthcare facility managers and engineering teams, this session will help ensure your systems — and your compliance — are never in doubt.
Presenter:
Ryan Fireprotection, Inc.Vice President
Edwin Frieden is Vice President at Ryan Fireprotection, with over 15 years of experience in the fire protection industry. A trusted leader and speaker, he specializes in fire sprinkler compliance, system longevity, and NFPA code requirements. His passion lies in educating facility teams—especially in healthcare—on protecting lives through proactive system maintenance and code compliance.
Co-Presenter:
Greene County General HospitalDirector of Support Services
Kyle is a seasoned healthcare facilities leader with a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credentials. At Greene County General Hospital, he oversees the operations of facilities, including maintenance and environmental services (EVS) departments, as well as materials management . Kyle is deeply committed to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Beyond his hospital duties, Kyle actively contributes to the Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering (ISHE), advocating for education and professional development within the field. He frequently engages with students and emerging professionals, sharing insights into healthcare facility management and fostering the next generation of leaders.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
The built environment is a behavioral system. The facilities we inhabit shape our conduct and funnel our perceptions of the world around us. This is crucial in healthcare settings. The experiences our buildings offer, from the parking lot to the patient bed, set the stage for a patient’s clinical outcome. This presentation will not only define the key strategies healthcare facilities can implement to increase patient satisfaction (addressing noise, cleanliness, wayfinding, etc.), it will provide a dynamic discussion surrounding the empirical research correlating facility design and emotional well-being. For many, healthcare facilities often house some of the most stressful moments in people’s lives and the buildings we design and operate need to understand their role in providing comfort to the people they serve. Participants will learn how their facilities can better support patients and discuss strategies that can be implemented in a variety of healthcare settings.
Presenter:
MKM Architecture + DesignPresident
Zach is President of MKM architecture + design, a firm consistently recognized as one of the “Top 100 Healthcare Architecture Firms” by Modern Healthcare Magazine. While designing numerous projects ranging from critical access hospitals to public libraries, he lectures internationally on the connection between people and places. Considered one of the leading voices in the “Lifetime Community” movement, his work focuses on the future of the American Midwest and the socioeconomic benefits of healthy placemaking. In 2015, the American Institute of Architects awarded him with the Young Architect Award, and in 2019 he was honored with the George Pressler Award at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium. Additionally, Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning Alumni Society recognized him with the Alumni Award of Outstanding Achievement. He is the youngest individual to ever receive this award.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Having recently transitioned from operations to project management, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to bring both perspectives together. In this session, I’ll share how my experience on the operations side has shaped the way I approach projects today. By working closely with operations staff, I’ve learned that true project success comes from understanding their needs, minimizing disruption, and ensuring that every project aligns with the everyday realities of healthcare. When we collaborate, we build success—not just for the project, but for the whole team.
Presenter:
Community Health NetworkSenior Project Manager
Brady Housden – Senior Facilities & Construction Project Manager at Community Health Network
With over 25 years in commercial construction and facilities maintenance, and 17 years focused on healthcare, I’ve worked my way up from frontline staff to supervising a team of 40 facilities professionals. I’ve managed the maintenance and operation of an academic medical center, including two hospitals and multiple medical office buildings and clinics.
Today, I manage projects across the healthcare network, ranging from simple to complex, ensuring safe, efficient environments. Certified in CHFM and CHC, I’m committed to operational excellence and life safety, always focused on improving spaces that support community health and well-being.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In today’s fast-changing healthcare environment, infrastructure planning is critical—not just for managing current operations, but for preparing organizations to grow, adapt, and respond to emerging challenges. Infrastructure Master Planning (IMP) is more than capital forecasting. It’s about knowing your assets, consolidating vital infrastructure data, preparing for growth and renovations, and ensuring that institutional knowledge is captured and carried forward. It creates a living, evolving strategy that aligns infrastructure with long-term organizational goals. This study will also clarify the difference between a Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) and a Campus Asset Management Plan (CAMP). While an FCA provides a static snapshot focused on deficiencies—often captured in narrative form—CAMP emphasizes lifecycle replacement planning over maintenance, offering a broader, living overview of infrastructure readiness. Ultimately, a well-executed IMP provides healthcare systems with tools to respond to unforeseen events (such as a pandemic), supports efficient renovations and construction, and keeps critical knowledge at hand for future decision-makers.
Presenter:
Heapy EngineeringProject Manager, Principal
Brian currently serves as a Project Manager and Group Manager in our Healthcare Practice. He began his career at HEAPY as a Mechanical Engineer and has been with the firm for 18 years, contributing to over 650 projects. He is currently overseeing construction projects as large as $800M throughout Indiana, Ohio, and the Southeast. Brian specializes in the design and planning of high-performance systems that focus on energy conservation and cost reductions and has been involved in the construction of numerous U.S. Green Building Council LEED projects, including the first LEED® Gold certified hospital in Ohio.
He is a licensed Professional Engineer, certified Healthcare Facility Design Professional, and USGBC LEED Accredited Professional. Brian received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wright State University.
Co-Presenter:
Blanchard Valley Health SystemManager of Healthcare Facility Services
Jeff is the Manager of Healthcare Facility Services for Blanchard Valley Health System. He has over 25 years of Project Management and Health, Environment & Safety experience. He manages key operational systems at BVHS campuses, ensuring safety, compliance and functionality. His responsibilities include Life Safety standards, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, boiler plant, and medical gases along with building structure and exterior grounds care to support a safe and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff. Jeff is also responsible for the annual operations budget for all BVHS locations and leads the development and execution of the Campus Asset Management Plan, including associated capital projects. His leadership extends to overseeing a dedicated team of skilled professionals who provide 24-hour services to maintain the health system’s operations. Through a comprehensive approach to facility management, Jeff ensures that BVHS facilities remain not only operational but also align with the organization’s mission of delivering exceptional care to the community.
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Strategic asset management is vital for optimizing building performance and resiliency. During operational handover, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) population and usage plays a crucial role that can often be overlooked. Proactive and timely CMMS population ensures smooth transition by centralizing maintenance data and automating workflows, facilitating efficient maintenance scheduling, cost-effective asset management, and increased resiliency in facility operations. Please join this session and case study discussion to learn best practices for operational handover.
Presenter:
Brightly, A Siemens CompanyStrategic Account Executive
Mark Mochel, BSME, MBA, CHFM, PMP, ACABE is currently a Strategic Account Executive at Brightly, a Siemens company. Before joining Brightly, he was a Co-Founder and Senior Vice President at Facility Health Inc., where he was instrumental in introducing new infrastructure investment solutions and benchmarking capabilities to the healthcare industry. Mark has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, an MBA from The University of Michigan, and has held executive leadership roles in multiple industries, providing a unique perspective on the challenges facing healthcare facility management today. As an advocate for increased infrastructure investment in our industry, and a member of the ASHE National Advisory Board, Mark is passionate about sharing his experience with all who serve and are served through the environment of care.
Co-Presenter:
Atrium HealthCorporate Facilities Management
Dennis Ford, MHA, CHFM, CHC, FASHE has been in Healthcare Facilities Management (FM) for over 30 years. He currently serves as President-Elect of the ASHE National Advisory Board and teaches an online course for the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) Facility Management Master’s Program. He received his degree in Civil Engineering and started his career in the Air Force where he served in FM roles and at headquarters where he led the development of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) currently in use at all military hospitals (DMLSS-FM). Before arriving Atrium Health (now a system of over 69 hospitals under Advocate Health), Dennis served as Director of Engineering at the world-renowned Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX (a 4-hospital system), Program Director of Healthcare Facilities at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX (a 5-hospital system with a prison hospital) and as Director of Facilities Management at Baptist Health System in San Antonio, TX (a 5-hospital system). Dennis is a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager (CHFM), Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) and received his Master of Health Administration from Texas A&M.
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Planning and designing a new hospital in a new market presents a unique set of challenges. One such problem is that full-time staff and leadership will not be onboarded until construction has been completed. Community Health Network (CHN) addressed this by bringing together key departmental directors and physicians from four other hospital campuses within their network. Their goal was to align around an ideal workflow and design for the new campus, despite knowing that most of these professionals would not be working there.
Presenter:
GuidonArchitect
Chase Miller is a senior planner and architect with expertise and involvement in local, regional, and national professional organizations. Research-driven, he has presented at more than 12 national conferences and authored numerous articles on the A/E/C industry and healthcare design. Recently published in Jan-Feb 2025 issue of Healthcare Facilities Management, he contributed to the 2026 FGI Facility Code as a member of the Center for Health Design’s Environmental Standards Council. His ambition and dedication make him a valuable asset in advancing healthcare design.
Co-Presenter:
CMTAPrincipal Mechanical Engineer
Doug joined CMTA’s Indianapolis, IN office, providing essential managerial skills, including defining and managing project scope, overseeing the design process, and providing leadership to the MEP engineering group. Doug is committed to communicating the design intent to every level of the building maintenance and operational staff. He notes that clear and effective communication is essential in explaining the design process and how to utilize optimally. In addition to providing quality design services, Mr. Fick brings a strong community commitment to every project.
Co-Presenter:
Community Health NetworkLead Facilities Project Manager
Julie Christopherson is a Lead Facilities Project Manager at Community Health Network in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has been with Community for 25 years in various positions starting out as a student nurse in college. Upon moving into project management, she went on to receive her PMP and CHC certifications. She has managed a wide variety of ambulatory and acute care projects. Most notably, she is currently working on a $335 million ground up hospital and medical office building fit out project in Westfield, Indiana to be completed in late 2027.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The purpose of this presentation which was rated Top 5 at HFIC 2024 ASHE, is to use CMMS Platforms to Identify/ leverage facilities compliance & historical spend, to prioritize patient risk, procedures, downtime, spend, patient experience & capital planning. In doing so you will learn how to utilize Key Performance Indicators from FM/FCAs/CMMS systems to prioritize & measure and prepare measurable GAP Analysis Strategies for budget presentation.
- Support sustainability road maps for utilization, energy and consumption
- Demonstrate revenue risk lost for the OEM purpose, space & FCI building health via asset replacement prioritization/planning
- Understand your stakeholders & what I meaningful to them
- Present to C-Suite & reposition facilities as a profit center vs cost center using appropriate evidence & compare that to the HTM clinic departments
Presenter:
NuvoloSenior Director Healthcare Industry Solutions
Michele is a 20-year healthcare veteran with B.S. degrees in Education, Business Management and working toward her M.S. Healthcare Construction Management. Her experience has been dedicated to the healthcare industry throughout her career. Her expertise encapsules CMS compliance & NFPA codes/standards within the physical environment by way of survey processes & Asset Management platforms.
Michele has been invaluable to large IDN Healthcare systems supporting asset management, deficiency prioritization, inventory management & preventative maintenance processes. Additionally, she has supported sustainability road mapping strategies, that have proven outcomes in energy reduction/optimization.
Michele is a member of NFPA, ASHE & THEA, HESNI, KSHE & TAFHM. She has certifications in CHSP-FM, HACP and is a current Principal to NFPA 99 (since 2016), & NFPA 101 in years past. Her expertise of the use of KPI Analytical compliance assessments/inspections & data driven strategies has proven to increase FCI health in infrastructure, lean FTE facilities operations processes & compliance.
Co-Presenter:
NuvoloSenior Account Director
Jamie brings over a decade of experience helping organizations address complex business challenges through the adoption of modern, scalable software solutions. With deep expertise in healthcare operations, Jamie is passionate about partnering with her customers to achieve strategic goals utilizing CMMS/IWMS/HTM solutions – driving operational efficiencies, reducing costs, and improve care delivery on both the facilities/construction & clinical aspects to organizations. Jamie holds a B.S. Degree in Science from Michigan State University and resides in Indianapolis area to support major healthcare systems within the Mid-West. She is a member of ASHE, KSHE & Region 6. She supports major health systems such as Cleveland & Mayo Clinics in developing, implementing and managing proper CMMS, HTM & IWMS Solutions.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This session explores the powerful synergy between energy efficiency and financial health through the lens of a CHP retrofit project at a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Wisconsin. Discover how the seamless integration of a Combined Heat and Power system not only lowered utility costs but also enhanced operational resilience and cash flow, demonstrating the profound impact of collaborative engineering solutions in healthcare.
Presenter:
VergentDirector of Projects
Jessie Gillis drives the development of energy projects at Vergent, directing teams in the design, management, and installation of complex energy solutions across North America. With a strong track record in the healthcare sector, Jessie specializes in developing reliable energy and CHP projects that enhance operational resilience, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and deliver significant cost savings. As a key technical liaison, Jessie collaborates closely with healthcare clients, contractors, and engineers to implement innovative energy generation strategies.
Co-Presenter:
VergentFounder and President
Justin is the founder of Vergent Power Solutions, established in 2014 with a focus on developing and implementing best-in-class combined heat and power (CHP) solutions. Recognizing the critical need for reliable and efficient energy within healthcare facilities, Justin has led Vergent in the development, design, and commissioning of numerous CHP plants across North America, representing over $200 million in project value currently underway. His company has a strong track record, adding more than one hundred fifty microturbines to its operating fleet in the United States and Canada, and currently services over two hundred turbines across diverse sectors. Prior to founding Vergent, Justin held leadership positions at Capstone Turbine Corporation. His background also includes U.S. government service in clean energy and civilian nuclear trade policy, and he was a Presidential Management Fellow.
Co-Presenter:
Black River Memorial HospitalFacilities Director
Jay McHenry is the Facilities Director at Black River Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin, responsible for the overall maintenance, operation, and improvement of the hospital’s physical plant. Focused on creating a safe and functional environment, he manages essential building systems and infrastructure projects. Jay is dedicated to supporting the delivery of high-quality healthcare services within the Black River Falls community. With over 25 years of experience in facilities management, his leadership is vital to the hospital’s daily operations.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 4
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Health systems and design teams are required to interpret ambiguous guidelines and regulations surrounding the holding, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste. Misalignment of these interpretations can risk accreditation and facility licensure. This session, facilitated by an architect/engineer/owner’s infection prevention manager team, will explore the gap between medical waste codes and operational policy. Attendees will understand the importance of early discussions regarding medical waste, be able to identify the types of medical wastes and ambiguities in regulations, and be presented with a case study documenting the impact this topic had on the design of a new critical access hospital.
Presenter:
GBBN ArchitectsSenior Medical Planner
Amy excels at surfacing client goals and creating spaces and environments that surpass expectations and further the healing process. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare design and medical planning, Amy’s work has touched the lives of countless patients, families, and practitioners.
Co-Presenter:
CMTAVice President
A CMTA Vice President and mechanical engineer, Doug brings 28 years of industry experience to projects nationwide. He currently heads CMTA’s Louisville operation, managing project schedules, production, and team assignments. With extensive experience in zero-energy facilities, high-performance hospitals, and complex HVAC renovations, many of Doug’s projects are among the most energy-efficient in the country.
Co-Presenter:
Margaret Mary HealthInfection Prevention, Patient Safety & Process Improvement Coordinator
Deanna has 19 years of experience in healthcare from providing patient care as a Registered Nurse in the ICU and Operating Room for 10 years, with the last 9 years as the Infection Preventionist for Margaret Mary Health. This has evolved into additional roles such as the Patient Safety and Process Improvement Coordinator, with expertise gained from these roles being instrumental in the design and development team for the new MMH Hospital Deanna has led multiple projects instituting change for the safety of patients, team members, and the community.
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The design and operation of healthcare facilities is governed by a staggering number of complex codes and regulations. This presentation will explore the lifecycle of codes—from their creation to their implementation and interpretation. Our focus will center on the ASHRAE codes most critical to the healthcare environment, including ASHRAE 170, Guideline 43, Standard 241, and Guideline 41. Originally established over 125 years ago to address the growing needs of the heating and ventilation industry, ASHRAE remains at the forefront of creating and updating codes that respond to emerging industry trends and advancements in our understanding of the built environment.
These publications are not merely minimum code requirements or guidelines but consensus documents, shaped by discussions and compromises among diverse stakeholders. Far from static, they are living documents continuously modified to reflect changes in the industry and our evolving knowledge. Interpreting these dynamic documents presents a unique challenge, as industry professionals seek to understand and apply their intent.
This presentation will provide insights into how to engage with this process, including how to locate and initiate questions of interpretation. Featuring perspectives from Doug Fick, CMTA Principal and former ASHRAE Chair of Standards, and Jonathan Flannery of ASHE, along with input from a code official, we aim to illuminate the complexities and practicalities of working with these critical codes in a healthcare context.”
Presenter:
CMTAPrincipal
Doug Fick is a highly experienced mechanical engineering professional and currently serves as a Principal at CMTA. He plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, energyefficient building projects and is responsible for workload management, scheduling, and
quality assurance and control. He uses project and design expertise to identify the most efficient and effective processes to deliver projects that are on time and within budget. With strong communication skills, he influences multidisciplinary design collaboration on projects in the healthcare and research markets.
Co-Presenter:
ASHESenior Associate Director, ASHE Regulatory Affairs
As the Senior Associate Director, ASHE Regulatory Affairs of the American Society for Health Care Engineering of the American Hospital Association, Jonathan manages ASHE’s advocacy relations to federal agencies and code development organizations that affect the healthcare physical environment. Jonathan provides testimony, engages in deliberation, and develops public comments on proposed regulations to the benefit of ASHE and AHA members. Jonathan currently serves as a voting member of ASHRAE SSPC 241, 514 and 170, Chair of the G43 Work Group, voting member of NFPA 90A & B and the ICC Committee on Health Care. Jonathan has over 35 years of health care engineering experience and has served as ASHE faculty teaching national programs on healthcare construction, managing life safety, fundamentals of healthcare engineering and has presented at national conferences in relation to the physical environment. Jonathan is a certified health care facility manager, has a master’s in health systems administration and fellow status with ASHE and ACHE.
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The requirement to inspect and test fire doors annually has now been in effect since July 5, 2016, yet there continues to be a huge disparity of identified fire door deficiencies when it comes to outsourcing your fire door inspections. In this presentation, you will learn how to properly inspect and test a fire door assembly. You will also learn how to insource your fire door inspections and learn some basic remediation solutions to common fire door deficiencies.
Presenter:
CommonSpirit HealthMarket Director of Facility Management
Ruben Garcia is a Life Safety and Physical Environment consultant who has been in the life safety and fire protection industry for over (15) years. He is a former life safety surveyor for HFAP and current life safety surveyor for AAAHC. He is currently the Market Director of Facilities Management for CommonSpirit Health He is a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Healthcare Constructor, Certified Fire Protection Specialist, Certified Fire Inspector I, Certified Life Safety Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Fire Door Inspector, and NICET Certified in Fire Alarms.
Co-Presenter:
Acme Architectural HardwareCOO
COO at Acme Architectural Hardware with over 20 years in the door and hardware industry. I aim to be an industry leader in developing the future of fire door compliance. I have successfully built the best fire door inspection and remediation team in Houston, TX. Inventor/Entrepreneur
11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The presentation will provide updates to the 2026 FGI Facility Code for Planning and Design. The presentation is from an AHJ perspective. The presentation will include coordination with updates to ASHRAE 170 in concert with the FGI code.
Presenter:
Indiana Department of HealthProgram Manager
Ruben Garcia is a Life Safety and Physical Environment consultant who has been in the life safety and fire protection industry for over (15) years. He is a former life safety surveyor for HFAP and current life safety surveyor for AAAHC. He is currently the Market Director of Facilities Management for CommonSpirit Health He is a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Healthcare Constructor, Certified Fire Protection Specialist, Certified Fire Inspector I, Certified Life Safety Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Fire Door Inspector, and NICET Certified in Fire Alarms.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
“It always works on paper, and the drawings never lie. This session will show how interdisciplinary members of design teams (e.g., architects, engineers, interior design, medical planning) and members of clinical healthcare roles (e.g., Nursing, Respiratory and Physicians) can better understand each other’s roles and optimize the post occupancy reality of the true patient care environment. Topic focus will include:
- What Happens The Day After Open House
- From Crisis to Care: Following a Trauma Patient from admission to ICU
- The Delta Between Code and Clinical Reality
Presenter:
Paladin Healthcare LLCPresident
Gary Schindele is a current Executive Board Member, and a Fellow (FHFI), of the Health Facility Institute and a Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP). Gary is a leading subject matter expert in the field of equipment management design and implementation and has served on two Facility Guideline Institute (FGI) committees for Emergency Conditions on Surge and Alternate Care Sites.
Gary in a nationally recognized speaker, and has a strong clinical background involved in hundreds healthcare projects around the world during his 40+ years in the industry. Gary’s strengths include optimization of workflow and designing clinical environments which are purpose-planned for the inevitable post occupancy changes and high demand for clinical flexibility.
Gary’s clinical experience comes from the pre-hospital and Emergency Department arenas. Gary is a former Paramedic and has been a Volunteer EMT/Firefighter for 50 years. He is currently a member of the Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition and Response Team. Gary also volunteers as Public Affairs Officer for the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Southeast Area of Responsibility.
Gary is the President of Paladin Healthcare LLC, and lives in Central Florida, USA.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Facilities are often viewed as cost centers, drawing significant resources without delivering direct financial return. Within Healthcare, there is also mounting pressure to reduce HAIs, meet regulatory standards, and upgrade aging systems, all while managing capital limitations and competing operational demands.
But with the right strategy, it’s possible to reduce HAIs and upgrade critical building systems without upfront capital, repositioning facilities from a cost burden to a performance-driven strategic asset.
The session will outline a data-driven methodology for identifying underperforming systems that impact both energy use and infection control. The presentation will include a real-world case study where building system improvements led to documented reductions in hospital-acquired infections (20%–70%) and energy savings of up to 40% – all completed without upfront capital.
Presenter:
CEG SolutionsVice President
Chadd Currier is the Vice President of Business Development at CEG Solutions (CEG), a national award-winning turnkey design-build contractor. CEG partners with clients to deliver comprehensive solutions that improve energy and water efficiency, enhance energy security, and save money. CEG identifies, designs, engineers, and implements these solutions at little or no upfront cost.
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Navigating all of the required inspections and tests for sprinkler systems can be challenging. This presentation seeks to narrow the scope and focus on the inspections and tests that can have the most impact; both for the life of the system and for compliance needs.
Presenter:
McKay, MPA, CFPS, CFI-1, FDI, CHOP-BMarket Director, Midwest Healthcare, Serviceline Leader, Healthcare Operations
Colin is the Market Director for Midwest Healthcare in the Jensen Hughes Healthcare Serviceline based out of Cleveland, Ohio. He has nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare compliance, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection systems, and supporting compliance with local, state, federal and Joint Commission/DNV standards and regulations. Colin oversees and conducts on-site Life Safety Assessments, provides code consulting, fire procedure development & training, and assists with emergency management programs supporting Jensen Hughes’ healthcare clients throughout the United States.
Colin is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Certified Fire Inspector (CFI-1) by the National Fire Protection Association and is a certified Fire Door Inspector, and is a Certified Healthcare Operations Professional (Basic) CHOP-B through DNV.
Colin currently serves on the NFPA 101/5000 Technical Committee for Healthcare Occupancies (SAF-HEA), is involved with the NFPA’s Certification Advisory Group to the Certified Fire Inspector curriculum, as well as holds the position of Board Member on the NFPA Healthcare Section Executive Board. Colin holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Cleveland State University.
3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
MWHCEC is presented by the Michigan Society for Healthcare Engineering, Indiana Society of Healthcare Engineers, the TriState Society of Healthcare Engineers, Southern Illinois Chapter of Healthcare Engineering, Central Illinois Chapter of Healthcare Engineers, and Healthcare Engineers Society of Northern Illinois (HESNI).
