2025 Fall Conference Speakers

September 9-11, 2025
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

Keynote Session Speaker

Management, Leadership, and Coaching Tips for Health Care Professionals

Lindsey Brackett, CHC, CHFM, CHOP, CSSBB, FASHE - Chief Empowerment Officer, Legacy FM

Lindsey Brackett is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Legacy FM, LLC, keynote speaker, and an influential figure in the healthcare facilities management industry. Her credentials include Certified Healthcare Constructor, Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker, and SASHE.

Since 2010, she has been providing solutions, including staff assessments and training, to facilities management teams. Lindsey has led the development and management of over 150 educational resources and currently serves on the ASHE Advisory Board, is a liaison to the ASHE Sustainability Task Force, is the President of the Women in Healthcare – Phoenix Chapter and has authored numerous articles and white papers for the health care facilities management industry. She is former ASHE faculty for various educational programs, a content contributor to ASHE's YouTube channel, and a contributing author for ASHE's Sustainability Guide, published in 2021. Lindsey has also a recently achieved her Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in HealthCare.

Abstract

Discover the keys to effective leadership and management in the health care industry with practical strategies to self-assess and communicate your leadership style, identify areas for improvement, and apply proven frameworks, such as Situational Leadership, to support your team's success. Learn how to provide quality 1-on-1 feedback using the SBI model, enhancing communication and fostering a culture of continuous growth. Unlock your leadership potential and elevate your impact in healthcare management.

Learning Objectives

• Self-identify and articulate your natural leadership and management styles, facilitating better communication and collaboration.
• Recognize areas for growth in leadership, management, and coaching within your workplace, fostering personal and professional development.
• Apply the Situational Leadership framework to effectively guide and empower others, optimizing their performance and goal attainment.
• Deliver constructive 1-on-1 feedback using the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model, ensuring impactful communication and continuous improvement.

Pre-Conference Session Speaker

CHFM Exam Review

Lindsey Brackett, CHC, CHFM, CHOP, CSSBB, FASHE - Chief Empowerment Officer, Legacy FM

Lindsey Brackett is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Legacy FM, LLC, keynote speaker, and an influential figure in the healthcare facilities management industry. Her credentials include Certified Healthcare Constructor, Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker, and SASHE.

Since 2010, she has been providing solutions, including staff assessments and training, to facilities management teams. Lindsey has led the development and management of over 150 educational resources and currently serves on the ASHE Advisory Board, is a liaison to the ASHE Sustainability Task Force, is the President of the Women in Healthcare – Phoenix Chapter and has authored numerous articles and white papers for the health care facilities management industry. She is former ASHE faculty for various educational programs, a content contributor to ASHE's YouTube channel, and a contributing author for ASHE's Sustainability Guide, published in 2021. Lindsey has also a recently achieved her Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in HealthCare.

General Session Speakers

ASHE Update

Danielle Gathje, MBA, CHFM, SASHE - Vice President Hospital Operations, MHealth Fairview - St. John's Hospital

Danielle M. Gathje, MBA, CHFM, SASHE, currently serves as the Vice President of Hospital Operations, MHealth Fairview St. John’s Hospital located in Maplewood, MN. In her role, Danielle is responsible for overseeing operations and management of the hospital’s ancillary and support matrixed departments along with surgical services and emergency department. Danielle is a highly skilled operations leader with widespread experience driving results. She has expertise in hospital strategy, operational innovation and efficiency, facility management, emergency management and employee safety. She is recognized for her leadership capabilities and is driven to improve hospital operations and patient quality and safety through the hospital-built environment. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Danielle went on to earn her MBA degree from the University of St. Thomas. She received her Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) certification in 2015 through the American Hospital Association (AHA) and currently serves as the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) Region 6 Advisory Board member. Danielle received the Regional Leader Award in August 2017 from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). She also received the Minnesota Engineer of the Year Award in 2018. Danielle currently participates on the Members Tools Committee and ASHE Rapid Response Task Force. She previously served five years on the board for the Twin City Healthcare Engineering Association (TCHEA) and on the executive board for the Minnesota Healthcare Engineers Association (MHCEA). Danielle also serves on the Century College Foundation Board and volunteers on the MN Crohn’s and Colitis Gala Committee. Danielle considers herself a lifelong learner and has continued to develop both professionally and personally through professional organizations, educational institutions, and volunteerism on committees. She believes that collaboration provides a profound opportunity and atmosphere to learn from others to drive better outcomes in the healthcare industry.

Life Safety Review

Travis Z. Ahrens - State Fire Safety Supervisor, Health Care & Correctional Facilities, MN Department of Public Safety-Fire Marshal Division

Rick Huston - Deputy State Fire Marshal, MN Department of Public Safety-Fire Marshal Division

Joint Commission

Gary Hempeck - Life Safety Code Specialist, The Joint Commission

Gary Hempeck has been a Life Safety Code Surveyor for Joint Commission since 2015. In this role, he surveys under the standards in the Comprehensive Accreditation Manuals for Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health Care, Critical Access Hospitals, and Hospitals.

Mr. Hempeck has more than 35 years of experience in health care leadership. He previously served as the Director of Plant Operations at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, and the Director of Facilities and Life Safety at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Mr. Hempeck has been on several ASHE committees, including serving on the ASHE Board of Directors for four years. He received his SASHE designation from ASHE in 2013 and his FASHE designation in 2018. He also holds a Minnesota high pressure boilers license.

Mr. Hempeck earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN.

Educational Session Speakers

Decoding NFPA 99 and Operationalizing Risk Assessment through ARMS 2.0

Ryan Schramm, FASHE, CHFM, CHC, MECH - Founder, FM Reimagined | Director of Facilities Systems, Banner Health | Subject Matter Expert, Legacy FM

Ryan Schramm grew up in the trades, starting as a carpenter, evolving into a construction project manager, and eventually finding his calling in healthcare facilities management (HFM). With nearly 20 years of hands-on field experience, he now refers to himself as a “recovering HFM,” channeling his lived experience into challenging the status quo and rethinking what’s possible.

Today, Ryan is known as a rogue disruptor who translates complexity into clarity. He specializes in CMMS optimization, asset risk modeling, and frontline-first strategies that stand the test of time.

Forget the fluff, Ryan empowers teams to stop symptom fighting and start solving root causes. Through practical approaches and real-world insight, he helps teams cut through the noise, streamline operations, and put the frontline content experts doing the work in charge of the change. Because real improvement doesn’t come from the boardroom—it starts in the boiler room.

Purpose

NFPA 99 isn’t just another code; it’s a paradigm shift. This session takes attendees on a high-stakes journey from the origins of NFPA 99 to its regulatory coming-of-age on July 5, 2016, when CMS officially adopted the 2012 edition. We’ll unpack why the 1999 edition was once an indirect reference through NFPA 101 (2000), and what made the 2012 edition a regulatory rewrite worth paying attention to. We'll clarify which chapters were adopted, which were excluded, and why the risk-based format was a seismic shift for healthcare facility management. But we don’t stop there. Enter ARMS 2.0, a next-generation risk model that takes the Category 1–4 system classification and transforms it into a decision-making powerhouse. This session is equal parts history lesson, compliance boot camp, and operational playbook, designed to help you align facility systems with risk, not just regulation.

Abstract

NFPA 99 isn’t just another volume on the code shelf; it represents a fundamental rethinking of how healthcare facility systems are evaluated, managed, and regulated. Once tied indirectly to CMS expectations through its inclusion by reference in the 2000 edition of NFPA 101, the 1999 edition of NFPA 99 played a quiet, background role in regulatory compliance. That all changed on July 5, 2016, when CMS officially adopted the 2012 edition of NFPA 99. This adoption marked more than a routine code update; it was a regulatory pivot that introduced a risk-based framework, replacing prescriptive requirements with performance-based expectations and placing the responsibility squarely on facility professionals to evaluate and document the functional impact of their systems.

This session will unpack that pivotal shift. Attendees will explore why NFPA 99 underwent a complete rewrite for the 2012 edition and what it means to manage healthcare infrastructure under a risk-based model. We’ll examine which chapters CMS adopted, such as those governing electrical systems, gas and vacuum systems, and medical equipment, and why other chapters, including Chapter 7 (Information Technology) and Chapter 9 (HVAC), were excluded from enforcement. This clarity is crucial for any facility team attempting to align operations with both the letter and the spirit of regulatory expectations.

From there, the session will pivot into practical application. Understanding NFPA 99 is only part of the equation, operationalizing it is where the real impact lies. That’s where ARMS 2.0 comes in. ARMS 2.0 is a modernized, facility-driven risk model that translates NFPA 99’s Category 1–4 classification system into a scalable, defensible framework. Rather than relying solely on a system’s proximity to patient care to determine its risk level, ARMS 2.0 evaluates multiple weighted variables, such as Impact, Infection Control, Redundancy, Environment, Operational Dependency, Financial Exposure, and Community Reach, to create a comprehensive and quantifiable risk profile.

With ARMS 2.0, facilities can more accurately identify high-risk systems that are often overlooked in traditional assessments, like exhaust fans serving airborne infection isolation rooms or pressure monitoring systems critical to surgical environments. The model also supports Alternative Equipment Management (AEM) strategies by linking risk scores directly to maintenance justification, giving healthcare systems both the confidence and the documentation needed to defend their programmatic decisions.

This session is designed for healthcare engineers, facility managers, compliance officers, and CMMS analysts who are ready to move beyond checkbox compliance. NFPA 99 isn’t just a hurdle to clear, it’s a roadmap to smarter decision-making. ARMS 2.0 is your compass. Together, they empower teams to align maintenance strategy, resource allocation, and regulatory compliance with the systems that matter most. Let’s move from compliance to confidence, because when you understand the “why,” the “how” becomes far more powerful.

Learning Objectives

• Trace the history of NFPA 99 and its evolution into a risk-based healthcare facilities code.
• Understand the significance of July 5, 2016, and the implications of CMS’s adoption of the 2012 edition.
• Differentiate between adopted and non-adopted chapters of NFPA 99 and the rationale behind each.
• Apply ARMS 2.0 to evaluate system-level risks across Categories 1–4 and support informed facility decisions.

Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Assisted Living Facilities with Dementia Care – The MN Department of Health Regulatory Differences and Similarities

Michael Mireau - Owner | Assisted Living & Healthcare Physical Environment Expert, The Source Assisted Living Consultants LLC

Learning Objectives

• Identify the key Minnesota statutes and administrative rules that govern physical environment licensure requirements for assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
• Describe the major differences and similarities in physical environment requirements between assisted living and nursing home licensure in Minnesota.
• Apply and evaluate the Minnesota Department of Health’s licensing, regulatory, and compliance requirements for existing and future healthcare buildings.

How CADShop Powers Smarter Facilities Operations at United Hospital

Ryan Graves - Engineering Manager, United Hospital, Allina Health

John Krenz - Computer Aided Design Specialist, Allina Health

Purpose

This presentation will explore how United Hospital utilizes its CADShop system—a centralized digital mapping tool—to enhance preventive maintenance, accelerate leak detection, and streamline facility operations. Attendees will gain insight into how real-time access to comprehensive facility maps empowers engineering teams to work more efficiently, respond to issues faster, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

Abstract

At United Hospital, facilities teams rely on more than just technical skill—they rely on visibility. This session will showcase how United Hospital implemented the CADShop system to build a centralized, interactive mapping platform that enhances preventive maintenance, speeds up leak detection, and improves overall operational efficiency. With CADShop, teams can access comprehensive, real-time floor plans that integrate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, allowing them to locate shutoffs, identify infrastructure risks, and respond faster to issues. Attendees will learn how CADShop supports day-to-day operations, from tracking asset locations to aiding in life safety documentation. The presentation will highlight implementation strategies, lessons learned, and key metrics that demonstrate the system’s value in supporting compliance, safety, and teamwork across departments. Whether you’re starting your digital mapping journey or looking to optimize existing tools, this session offers practical insights into the future of smart facility management.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how CADShop integrates with facility operations to support preventive maintenance, equipment tracking, and infrastructure planning.
• Earn how real-time access to digital maps improves response times to leaks, service disruptions, and infrastructure issues within a hospital setting.
• Explore best practices for implementing a facility-wide mapping system that supports cross-team coordination, documentation, and compliance with life safety and Environment of Care standards.
• Identify the measurable operational benefits of CADShop adoption at United Hospital, including increased efficiency, reduced downtime, and improved regulatory readiness.

EH&S Compliance and Risk Management is Everybody’s Job: Lessons Learned from the Trenches!

Darrell Oman - Associate Director, Principal Engineer, Braun Intertec Corporation

Darrell J. Oman is an Associate Director and Principal Engineer at Braun Intertec and has more than over 40 years of experience in the Environmental, Health & Safety field. He has presented at numerous national and regional professional and industry sector conferences and webinars, including for the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE). Darrell is a member of both ASHE and AHE and a nationally recognized environmental compliance and risk management professional providing a wide range of consulting services. Over the past 15 years Darrell has directed and managed environmental compliance and consulting projects for over 100 healthcare systems covering 30 states including consulting for over 350 hospitals and over 100 cancer treatment centers, surgery centers and clinics. Darrell obtained his B.S. engineering degree from Michigan Technological University and has complemented his EH&S consulting experience with professional coursework and training in environmental auditing, information management systems, business management and organizational performance, team-building and strategic planning.

Marge McFarlane, PhD, MS, MT (ASCP), CHFM, CHSP, CJCP, HEM, MEP - Principal, Superior Performance Consultants, LLC

Marge McFarlane, PhD, MS, MT (ASCP), CHFM, CHSP, CJCP, HEM, MEP; brings over 49 years of comprehensive experience in the environment of care, life safety, emergency management, hazardous waste, and infection prevention for construction. McFarlane has authored handbooks on the GHS update to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and OSHA training for Medical Facilities. She was Chemical Hygiene Coordinator for a general medical surgical hospital in NW Wisconsin. She is a frequent presenter for seminars and conferences on the environment of care, OSHA topics, infection prevention for construction, legionella, COVID-19, hazardous materials/RCRA waste streams, and emergency management. She is currently working with healthcare systems and clinics nationally to identify and mitigate risks in the physical environment and help ensure regulatory compliance. She completed the ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Certification in March 2021.

McFarlane holds a PhD in Safety Engineering and Master’s Degrees in Environmental and Public Health (ENPH) from the UW – Eau Claire and Safety and Risk Control from the UW–Stout. She is an active member of the Wisconsin Healthcare Engineering Association (WHEA) Code Committee and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE).

Purpose

EH&S Risk Management, Safety, Sustainability and Compliance
Hospitals and healthcare facilities use or generate hundreds of HazMats, HazWastes, HazDrugs, and HazChems and leaders from all departments constantly struggle with employee safe handling practices as well as compliant management of the hundreds of wastes and waste streams generated across a campus or medical center. Often compliance issues are only uncovered during a government agency compliance inspection or a waste or chemical management incident.

Effective and efficient management of the myriad risks posed in managing HazMats, HazWastes, HazDrugs and HazChems on a campus and within a system requires all departments and key executive leaders to continually track changing regulations and standards, facilitate collaboration among departments and leaders, and develop an organizational structure and set of practices best suited to the task.

Abstract

Untangling HazMats, HazWastes, HazDrugs, and HazChems regulations and compliance requirements is a frustrating and confusing task for not only healthcare organizations’ executive leaders but also risk management, facility, safety, laboratory, pharmacy, and environmental services leaders. Following a brief review of and update on OSHA, USEPA/MPCA, DOT and NIOSH/USP regulations this session will outline how OSHA regulations (pertaining to safe handling of hazardous chemicals), NIOSH/USP regulations and standards on hazardous drugs, USEPA/MPCA hazardous waste regulations and DOT regulations (pertaining to hazardous materials) diverge and overlap.

If complying with these complex laws and standards isn’t enough to keep up with, healthcare organizations also are surveyed by and receive various accreditations and certifications from The Joint Commission, DNV and other organizations. A baseline expectation with these accreditation firms is that the healthcare organizations are complying with all federal, state, and local regulations. When compliance corrective actions are needed, the presenters will share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from not only helping hospitals get back into compliance but also when coaching campus leadership teams to maintain compliance.

A key aspect of addressing and correcting acute or systemic regulatory findings or citations is that it takes a collaborating team of hospital or system facility management, safety, EVS, emergency management, risk management, pharmacy, laboratory, and nursing leaders to achieve sustainable compliance. For the close of the session, the presenters will conduct a compliance exercise using actual example government agency compliance violations to share their experiences, challenges, successes, and strategies on developing these interdisciplinary teams as well as how this group can form the basis for developing or implementing campus or system sustainability initiatives related to HazMats, HazWastes, HazDrugs, and HazChems. These experiences, best management practices and tools can help you develop a sound management approach to minimizing risk, improving safety practices, reducing compliance findings, and initiating sustainable practices.

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate USEPA/MPCA, DOT, OSHA, and NIOSH/USP regulatory compliance requirements for hospitals and healthcare organizations.
• Link governmental safety and environmental compliance requirements with accreditation organization standards for these key groups:
  • Laboratories,
  • Facilities/Plant Operations, EVS, and
  • Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Administration
• Learn about typical non-compliant findings, corrective actions, and best practice management solutions for each key hospital group.
• Compare your safety and environmental compliance readiness with those facilities and organizations demonstrating best practices.

Leveraging AI for HVAC Energy Efficiency: AHU Optimization through Continuous Coil Monitoring

Mike Bodón - President & CEO, AQUIS

Since 2008, Mike Bodón has served as President and CEO of AQUIS, the nationwide leaders in air handler renewal. An alumnus of the College of Engineering at Rutgers University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mike began his career with GE Plastics and later served as Director of Engineering for CHEP, a leading international supply chain management company.

In early 2004, Mike and a colleague from GE Plastics were approached and asked to develop a fire code-compliant solution for the refurbishment of mechanical air handling units. Successful pioneering soon led to the formation of AQUIS, which has grown exponentially over the past 20 years largely through Mike’s leadership and vision, and whose customers include many of the nation’s top hospitals, universities, government organizations, and Fortune 500 companies.

Mike is a native of New Jersey and has lived in Orlando with his wife and three children since 2000.

Purpose

Drive awareness of the impacts of coil fouling in hospital AHUs, and how to effectively quantify that through technology to help make more informed decisions concerning system maintenance and optimization efforts.

Abstract

This presentation will discuss the impact of poorly maintained AHU coils on the overall HVAC system. The HVAC system is comprised of multiple components whose function is to facilitate heat transfer through AHU coils. Inefficiencies caused by poorly maintained coils have an exponential impact on the energy consumption of the HVAC system. With the HVAC system accounting for upwards of 50% of a commercial facility’s overall energy consumption, improving coil performance or heat transfer effectiveness can significantly assist a facility in meeting its energy and carbon reduction goals.

Until recently, established methods for determining coil fouling were based on either differential pressure testing or visual inspection (NADCA), and neither method accurately quantifies the actual coil fouling level. Additionally, these inspection intervals are not standardized and vary based on geographic location, human, and mechanical conditions. This often leads to maintenance uncertainties among the facility operators causing deviations from optimum cleaning frequency. These uncertainties penalize the facility by either increasing the energy costs due to operating an inefficient system or increasing the maintenance costs associated with cleaning coils too frequently.

The presentation will introduce a new coil monitoring technology that combines modern AI machine learning algorithms with traditional HVAC thermodynamic models to determine the true “Coil Fouling Level”. Through an integrated data acquisition system, this technology measures coil fouling level in real-time with great precision. This cloud-based technology also delivers key information about the facility including energy consumption and operational coil capacity. All this information is used to determine a “Coil Service Interval” which indicates the ideal timeframe for subsequent coil service. The true cost of doing nothing, as well as how maintenance costs and incremental energy costs are both key considerations when determining the coil service interval will be covered during the session.

Learning Objectives

• Drive awareness of the impact of fouled AHU coils and the significant energy-saving opportunities that exist through high performance cleaning methods.
• How an AI machine learning based coil monitoring technology allows us to quantify coil fouling far more accurately than traditional methodologies.
• How Coil Monitoring Technology allows you to minimize operating costs and maintenance costs for AHU coils cleaned at the optimal service intervals.
• Learn how greater visibility into AHU performance can drive maintenance decisions.

Emergency Power for Behavioral Health: Maximize Resiliency, Minimize Cost

Kevin Sandrella - Partner, CMTA, Inc.

As a CMTA Partner and Project Manager, Kevin has extensive experience overseeing diverse projects across 42 states and Canada. His portfolio spans a wide range of sectors, including behavioral health, airports, education, and data centers. With specialized expertise in the design of medium and low voltage power systems, Kevin excels in designing emergency backup power, load-shedding, and paralleling systems. Kevin's strong leadership and comprehensive technical knowledge position him as a trusted professional in delivering innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.

Purpose

This session aims to equip participants with actionable strategies for designing and implementing resilient, cost-effective emergency power systems in behavioral health environments. By addressing recent industry code updates, leveraging data-driven design methodologies, and exploring measurement and verification practices, attendees will gain valuable insights into optimizing system performance.

Abstract

Behavioral health hospitals rely on robust emergency power systems to maintain patient safety, support critical operations, and ensure continuity of care during unforeseen power outages or natural disasters. However, achieving cost-effective and reliable system design requires careful planning and prioritization. What strategies can engineers and facility owners employ to balance budget constraints with the critical need for reliability? This session will provide practical solutions for optimizing emergency power systems specifically tailored to behavioral health environments. Attendees will explore recent changes in industry codes, data-driven design approaches, and measurement and verification (M&V) practices that enhance system performance. The discussion will also cover critical load management and key operational considerations to ensure facilities are prepared for emergency scenarios. By examining real-world examples, including Acadia Healthcare's pioneering geothermal project in Madison, Wisconsin, this session offers insights into achieving resilient, cost-effective emergency power solutions. Participants will be equipped with practical applications for integrating these solutions to meet the unique needs of behavioral health facilities and beyond, empowering healthcare providers to deliver uninterrupted care and create a safe, stable environment for patients.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key strategies for designing cost-effective and reliable emergency power systems tailored to behavioral health hospitals, balancing budget constraints with critical reliability needs.
• Analyze recent changes in industry codes and standards that impact emergency power system design and implementation in healthcare environments.
• Utilize data-driven design approaches and measurement and verification (M&V) practices to optimize the performance and dependability of emergency power systems.
• Apply effective critical load management techniques to address operational challenges and ensure preparedness during emergency scenarios.

Understanding Arc Flash and Coordination Studies

Mark J. Azure, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Patner/Electical Engineer, Dunham

Justin Thiner, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Patner/Electical Engineer, Dunham

Abstract

Arc flash studies are often discussed but are sometimes pushed to the back burner. We will dive into what an arc flash and coordination study is, what value it brings to your facility, and why these studies should be planned for. We will dive into the information needed to run the studies as well as when a study needs to be performed.

Learning Objectives

• Understand high-level requirements for performing arc flash and coordination studies.
• Knowing when arc flash and coordination studies need to be performed.
• Understanding what deliverables would be associated with arc flash and coordination studies.

Key Considerations and Strategies When Planning for a New Operating Room in an Existing Hospital

Sitha Chuum - Associate, Wold Architects and Engineers

Sitha graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Electrical Engineering. A science kit gift and playing the Oregon Trail on an Apple II computer hooked Sitha into the world of software and electronics. The need to figure out how things work and always wanting to learn more has led to a 19+ year career collaborating on dynamic solutions for each client's unique needs. He has experience designing electrical distribution, generators, lighting, voice/data, nurse call, security, and fire alarm systems for high performing healthcare facilities. Sitha understands that reliable and scalable systems are a requirement in a world where connected technology, demand for more power and managing the unexpected are the norm.

Brian Evan, P.E. - Associate, Wold Architects and Engineers

Brian graduated from the University of Minnesota – Duluth with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Brian's passion for design started when he was a kid, designing and building all kinds of contraptions in his grandfather's woodshop. He has taken that passion and channeled it over the past 14+ years to partner with clients to create efficient and cost-effective facilities to meet the needs of their community best. Brian's experience gives him a deep understanding of sustainable and seamless mechanical systems' high-level expectations. His healthcare knowledge leads to the design of efficient and reliable systems that create comfortable environments for patients, their families, and staff. Healthcare is a universal need, and he aims to design state-of-the-art healthcare facilities where he would feel very comfortable sending his own family members for care.

Josh Schoener - Facilities Director, Madelia Health

Josh Schoener, a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager(CHFM) is the Facilities Director of Madelia Health, a critical access hospital and clinic in Madelia MN with 3 stand-alone clinics in surrounding communities. He oversees construction projects, regulatory compliance, and daily facilities operations. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and motorcycles. Josh has been with Madelia Health for 17 years.

Purpose

This presentation will explore how early planning, strategic phasing, and system integration during the design of a new Operating Room in an active hospital can minimize disruptions and lead to more accurate, future-ready solutions.

Abstract

Constructing a new Operating Room (OR) in an existing hospital is a challenge that requires careful planning in order to accommodate project needs while minimizing disruptions to patient care. The presentation will outline key discussion points during the SD phase including integrated systems, phasing, assessing existing infrastructure and estimates. We will discuss how to determine if an integrated system is a good fit for the team and explore how a facility condition assessment paired with input from facilities can shape the project scope and, in turn, make cost estimates more accurate by ensuring that updating aging equipment and preparing for the future is balanced with the budget. We will also discuss how to develop a phased approach to minimize disruptions and plan for outages and temporary units.

This session will provide practical strategies and real-world insights for healthcare facility leaders, engineers, and planners navigating the complexities of OR construction in active hospital environments. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how early coordination, informed decision-making, and strategic phasing can lead to successful project outcomes without compromising patient care.

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the benefits and limitations of integrated systems and MEP strategies during early design to determine the best fit for the project team and surgical environment.
• Understand how to assess and support existing infrastructure in renovation and addition projects, including how to navigate code updates and determine when to invest in future-ready improvements beyond minimum requirements.
• Identify effective phasing strategies that minimize disruptions to patient care, including planning for outages, temporary units, and maintaining continuous facility operations during construction. Improve the accuracy of cost estimates by aligning them with facility condition assessments, infrastructure upgrades, and phased project scopes to balance immediate needs with long-term goals.

Building Automation Modernization & Digital Readiness in Healthcare Facilities

Ross Nelson - Vice President, Building Automation Sales, Harris Company

Ross Nelson has supported organizations across the country with modernizing their Building Automation System over his over 20-year career in the discipline. As AI and machine learning grow in their application in the industry he is increasingly focused on helping organizations leverage their data to become actionable. His expertise is centered in meeting clients in their current reality and developing plans and strategies to move their organization forward. Ross is the Vice President of Sales for Building Automation at Harris, a national provider of automation and mechanical services.

Patrick Ritchie - Building Automation & Telemetry Sales, Harris Company

Patrick Ritchie brings a systems-thinking approach to the evolving world of building automation and energy intelligence. With a background that spans trades, technology, and sustainability, he operates at the intersection of hands-on experience and strategic vision. Patrick began his career as a steamfitter, gaining a deep understanding of how buildings operate—insight that still informs his work today.

He’s worked across industries, managing automation accounts in critical environments like healthcare and helping organizations adopt cloud-based analytics tools that turn building data into actionable insights. In his current role at Harris, Patrick focuses on modernizing Building Automation Systems and delivering Telemetry, a platform that empowers data-driven facility operations. He helps clients transform legacy infrastructure into smart, adaptive systems that support sustainability, efficiency, and occupant comfort.

Purpose

This presentation provides healthcare facility leaders with a roadmap to modernize legacy BAS systems. It focuses on aligning upgrades with enterprise facility management strategies, improving energy efficiency, ensuring compliance, and using building data to drive smarter operations and better patient outcomes.

Abstract

As healthcare facilities face increasing pressure to improve energy performance, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance, modernizing legacy Building Automation Systems (BAS) is no longer optional—it’s essential. This session presents a strategic roadmap for evaluating outdated BAS infrastructure and implementing scalable, future-ready upgrades that align with enterprise facility management goals.

Attendees will learn how to assess their existing systems, develop a digital readiness plan built on open systems and secure networks, and strategically stage retrofits for minimal disruption. The session will also explore how to extract and apply building data—across systems like AHUs, VAVs, and chilled water loops—to support real-time fault detection, energy analytics, and long-term capital planning.

With a focus on cybersecurity, compliance, and data-driven decision-making, this session equips facilities teams to transition from reactive operations to proactive optimization—delivering measurable improvements in patient comfort, staff productivity, and total cost of ownership.

Learning Objectives

• Assess Legacy BAS and Identify Upgrade Opportunities
• Develop a Digital Readiness Roadmap for BAS Modernization
• Leverage Building Data for Enterprise Level Operational Efficiency and Decision-Making
• Align BAS Modernization with Cybersecurity and Compliance Standards

Smoking, smoke alarms, and other items commonly found on assisted living survey by Engineering

Bob Dehler, P.E. - Program Manager | Engineering Services Section – Mortuary Science Section – Health Occupations Program

Mr. Dehler is a professional engineer with over 25 years of engineering experience including over fifteen years at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Bob graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a degree in civil engineering and is a licensed engineer in the state of Minnesota. As the manager of the engineering services section, he is responsible for the plan review and inspections of construction in health care facilities throughout the state of Minnesota. The section enforces licensure requirements of the State of Minnesota and federal certification requirements of the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS).

Bob is a member of ASHE (American Society of Healthcare Engineers), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association and the Healthcare Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) of The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI).

Abstract

Bob will discuss many of the fire safety issues engineering comes across on survey in assisted living. Fire safety is a major issue in assisted living and he will talk about what is commonly found but also ways to avoid the tags.

Learning Objectives

• How to avoid smoking tags and discuss the hazards of smoking that we see in the field
• Discuss locking and when we can and cannot lock doors in the means of egress
• Review fire rated doors and talk about what code allows you to do to those doors in your facility