With rising costs, evolving tariffs, and ongoing post-COVID challenges, healthcare facility projects are under increasing pressure. This conference focuses on strategies to keep projects moving forward while staying true to our shared vision of patient-focused, resilient, and adaptable healthcare infrastructure.

CCHF is excited to host healthcare facility leaders from across Canada to discuss critical issues, share innovative solutions, and explore strategic approaches through expert panels, presentations, and facilitated discussions.

Bring your teams and engage in high-impact conversations with industry leaders and designers navigating these challenges. Let’s shape the future of healthcare facilities together.

Join Us for CCHF’s Annual Vancouver Conference!

1. Network with your peers, industry leaders and collaborators. Build contacts with experts from diverse fields.
2. Gain access to the latest research, best practices, and emerging trends in healthcare facility design. Enhance your knowledge and skills.
3. Get exposure to cutting-edge innovations in smart health facilities, sustainability and patient-centred care.

CCHF, Where we Connect – Share – Innovate

Draft Conference Agenda

Day 1 – May 15, 2025

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast

Network with your peers, enjoy a hot breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 AM | Opening Remarks

9:15 – 9:45 AM | Building for the Future: Fraser Health’s Strategic Growth in Healthcare Capital Investments and Facilities

Fraser Health Authority, the fastest-growing health authority in British Columbia, is leading a significant wave of health capital investments to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population. With over 48,000 staff, medical professionals, and volunteers, Fraser Health is delivering both hospital and community-based services across the region.

As demand for healthcare services rises, strategic investments in new developments, facility upgrades, expanded bed capacity, operating rooms, and specialized care enhancements are shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

Sharat Chandra will provide insights into Fraser Health’s capital growth strategy, including:
✅ Innovative Capital Approaches – Maximizing resources in a challenging fiscal landscape
✅ Community Partnerships – Strengthening collaborations to enhance accessibility and outcomes
✅ Technology Integration – Leveraging advancements to future-proof healthcare facilities

Sharat Chandra, Vice President, Strategic Capital Investments and Facilities, Fraser Health Authority

9:45 – 10:15AM | Tariffs & Healthcare Procurement: Strategies for Cost Containment & Supply Chain Resilience

Rising tariffs and global supply chain disruptions continue to challenge the procurement of Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) for healthcare projects. As healthcare capital budgets are stretched further, innovative procurement strategies are essential to mitigate cost increases and maintain project timelines. Darren will share how PHSA and their partners are addressing these top of mind questions for your projects.

• How are tariffs and global supply chain disruptions impacting healthcare facility projects today?
• What procurement strategies have been most effective in controlling costs while ensuring timely delivery of critical FF&E?
• How can healthcare facility leaders work with procurement teams to prioritize project needs and avoid unnecessary delays?
• What collaborative models across provinces are helping to streamline healthcare equipment purchasing and manage cost escalation?
• What risk mitigation strategies can facilities adopt to ensure resilience in their procurement processes?

Darren Gray, Provincial Director of Category Management, Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), British Columbia

10:00 – 10:30 AM | Managing Contractual Risks: Safeguarding Healthcare Construction & Design Projects

• How should healthcare facility leaders evaluate and strengthen force majeure clauses in construction and design contracts to mitigate risks?
• What renegotiation strategies can be used when projects face rising costs, delays, or supply chain issues?
• What are the best practices in risk management for healthcare capital projects, and how can leaders proactively address legal and financial exposure?
• How do contract terms impact long-term design and planning flexibility for future healthcare needs?
• What steps can facility leaders take to ensure strong contractual frameworks that align with operational goals and safeguard healthcare infrastructure investments?

10:30 – 10:45 AM | BREAK

11:00 – 12:00 PM | Panel: Expanding Footprints, Shrinking Budgets – Navigating the New Reality in Healthcare Infrastructure

As healthcare facility footprints expand to meet growing patient demands, budgets are tightening, creating a critical challenge for capital planning, design, and construction. How can healthcare leaders balance space needs with financial constraints while ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and high-quality patient care?

This panel brings together industry experts to discuss practical strategies for maximizing value, optimizing space, and innovating under financial pressure.

Tariq Amlani, Vice-President, Global Health Sector Lead, Stantec
TBC, EllisDon
Ian McDermott, Vice President, Facilities & Capital Development, Sinai Health System
Sharat Chandra, Vice President, Strategic Capital Investments and Facilities, Fraser Health Authority

12:00 – 1:00 PM | LUNCH

1:00 – 1:30 PM | (tbc) Panel: Alliance Procurement Check in & Key Learnings from Burnaby Phase 2 and Cowachin Hospital and Evolving application for Future Projects

• Panel discussion featuring key stakeholders that have been involved in the Alliance procurement sharing their perspectives challenges, learnings and benefits
• Rationale for the single TOC alliance model and its anticipated future in healthcare projects
• Mechanics of getting to the turn out cost

1:30 – 2:00 PM | Optimizing Artificial Intelligence Intelligently in Healthcare Design 

• How is AI revolutionizing the planning and design of healthcare facilities to improve efficiency, adaptability, and patient-centered care?
• What role does AI play in predictive modelling for demand forecasting, space utilization, and capacity planning?
• How can AI assist in evidence-based design to create healthier, more resilient healthcare environments?
• What are the best practices for integrating AI-driven design tools into healthcare infrastructure projects?
• How can AI help reduce design and construction costs while ensuring compliance with evolving healthcare standards?

Jason Heinrich, HDR, Design Performance Leader

Barbara Miszkiel, HDR, National Healthcare Practice Leader

2:00 – 2:45 PM |  Panel: Building Resilient Healthcare Systems – Lessons in Emergency Management & Collaboration

As healthcare systems face increasing challenges from natural disasters, pandemics, and economic pressures, resilience has become a critical priority. Leaders from across different regions will share how they collaborate, develop emergency management strategies, and strengthen both infrastructure and operations to ensure healthcare facilities can withstand and adapt to crises.

This panel will explore the intersection of hard resilience (structural and infrastructural adaptations) and soft resilience (staffing, logistics, and operational strategies) in maintaining agile, crisis-ready healthcare systems.

Cathy Junda, Health Sector Digital Technology Practice Leader, Stantec
Maddy Laberge, Manager, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Providence Health, Health Emergency Management, British Columbia (HEMBC)
Jeff Martin, Provincial Director, Emergency & Continuity Management, Shared Health Manitoba

2:45 – 3:00 PM | BREAK

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Planning and Designing for Interoperability 

• Strategies for seamless integration of clinical systems and patient data sharing
• Future-proofing infrastructure to accommodate evolving healthcare technologies

3:30 – 5:00 PM | Networking Reception at JW Parq Marriott

5:00 – 6:00 PM | Guided Tour at Lions Gate Hospital

Day 2 – May 16, 2025

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast

Network with your peers, enjoy a hot breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 | Opening Remarks

Insights Into The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) Acute Care Tower Project

Ministry of Health approved the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) Acute Care Tower Project (Project) in August 2024. The Project will be delivered via the Alliance Model. The Project includes the design and construction of a new Acute Care Tower (Tower) on the Health Unit Site connected to the existing hospital to accommodate Cardiac, Surgical, and Mental Health Services as well as food services, materiel management, loading, and underground parking.
The Project represents an opportunity to not only replace the aging infrastructure of the existing hospital, but also an opportunity to rethink the delivery of acute health care, particularly in the context of providing tertiary acute care services to a widely dispersed geographic population. Access to care close to home is a strong imperative and driver behind key decisions.

Learning objectives:
Early learnings implementing the Alliance Model in Northern Health
Development of Full service Cardiac Services in a Health Authority where Cardiac services does not exist
Designing for the future on a constrained site:
Early collaboration between Capital Planning and Clinical Operations: The changing face of care services

Sunil Kanamala, Northern Health, Chief Project Officer
Sherri Tillotson, Northern Health, Senior Clinical Planning Officer

Overview of the New CSA Standards Healthcare Facilities Standards and Q & A

There has been a lot of Committee work on CSA standards in 2024 and more coming forward in 2025.  CSA Z8000 standard for Healthcare Facility Design,   Z8003 Healthcare Facility Design Studies and Post Occupancy Evaluation and CSA Z8008 Assessments of Healthcare Facilities, Services and Building Systems are all undergoing updates.

A panel session of leaders will share highlights for these standards, how you can get involved,  and will take questions from the audience.

Steve Bagworth, Managing Partner, Agnew Peckham Health Care & Facility Planners
Gordon Burrill, President, Teegor Consulting
Nick Stark, Executive Vice President, HH Angus and Associates
Sarah Thorn, Manager, Planning and Projects Facilities Management, Fraser Health Authority

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch

1:00 PM | Wrap Up / Conference Close

*Agenda subject to change. Stay tuned for more details!

The conference program will include interactive sessions, panels, a reception, and a guided tour of Lions Gate Hospital. Please join your healthcare facility sector network. Where real issues, innovative thought leadership and ideas are discussed for a better future of healthcare facilities supporting better care – together. Join Us!

More information will be available soon! Register by April 15th and get 10% the regular registration price and an additional 10% off for groups of three or more. This offer cannot be combined with other offers. 

Pre-Conference Alliance Model Workshop – May 14, 2025 (Tickets Sold Separately)

Kickstart your experience with an exclusive, hands-on workshop focusing on key topics in healthcare infrastructure planning and innovation. More details coming soon!

8:00 AM -12:00 PM | Presented by Infrastructure BC

Join us for an in-depth workshop on the Alliance Model, a collaborative approach to project delivery that fosters innovation, shared risk, and collective success. Led by Infrastructure BC, this session will explore how alliance contracting is shaping the future of healthcare infrastructure projects.
Attendees will gain insights into:

✔  Ice-Breaker session meet and greet of participants

✔  How the Alliance model is applied and how it is unique to benefit projects

✔ Role-Playing to gain an understanding of how the model aims to connect teams together

This workshop is a must-attend for healthcare leaders, capital planners, architects, and industry professionals looking to enhance their understanding of the Alliance process in a hands on session.

Stay tuned for details!

Workshop & Conference Location:

Parq Marriott
39 Smith Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3

Hotel Accomodations

A select number of rooms have been set aside for our out-of-town conference attendees at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. To take advantage of our special room rates, reservations must be made by April 14, 2025.

Online Booking: Use the dedicated reservation website: Book Now. Guests can make, modify, and cancel their hotel reservations through this link.

Phone Booking: Call 1-888-236-2427 or 1-801-468-4000 (for Marriott Bonvoy members) to reserve by phone.

Audience

• Healthcare leaders in Facilities & Redevelopment, Corporate Services, CEO, CFO’s
• Clinical Leads (CMIOs, Nursing, Medical leads)
• Capital Planning leaders and Project Directors
• ICAT / IMIT Leaders
• Design / Build Executives
• Constructors / Project Managers
• Consulting / Design Engineers
• Architects
• Planning Consultants
• Infection Control Professionals
• Quality and Patient Safety
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Capital Planners, Infrastructure Planners
• Hospital Service Providers
• Energy Services Companies
• Healthcare Vendors

Note: Speakers and topics may change based on their availability. CCHF makes every effort to only publish confirmed speakers.

Cancellation Policy

Fees are non-refundable. Registrants may be replaced by a colleague of the same organization, if written notification is given prior to the event. Note that CCHF does not guarantee all speakers. There may be substitutions due to availability or the need to make program changes. In the highly unlikely event of a program cancellation, CCHF will credit your company for the same value of the next event in your area.