Symposium on Sustainability in Health Care

Pending AIA LU/HSWs, GBCI CEs, PDHs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a categorical waiver for healthcare microgrid systems, opening the door for hospitals and health systems to meet emergency power requirements with renewable energy rather than relying solely on fossil fuel generators. This landmark change, combined with funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act, enables healthcare organizations to build resilient, sustainable backup power systems while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This session explores how hospitals can strategically leverage federal incentives—including investment tax credits, bonus provisions, and direct pay options—to finance microgrids, renewable energy, and energy storage projects. Attendees will learn how to evaluate life-cycle costs, compare microgrids versus traditional generators, and sequence infrastructure investments across large portfolios. Case studies and expert insights will highlight how healthcare systems can align operational resiliency, patient safety, and carbon reduction goals with financial and regulatory opportunities.

Pending ACHE In-Person*, AIA LU/HSWs, GBCI CEs, PDHs

Consumer-driven services in business and the need for efficiency are accelerating changes in the way organizations operate and compete. Many consumers today are taking greater control of their purchasing power and healthcare decisions and are demanding excellence in service. The challenge is how to give them the best service in a meaningful and economic way.

Organizational survival relies on healthcare leaders with the vision, determination, and courage to test various methods of enhancing the patient experience. Patient expectations are being set by other industries and healthcare disrupters like retail clinics. How can hospitals and health systems provide the same level of customer service to stay competitive?

*This program has been developed and is presented locally by ACHE of Greater Ohio. The American College of Healthcare Executives has awarded 1.5 ACHE In-Person Education Credits to this program.

Pending AIA LU/HSWs, GBCI CEs, PDHs

This inspiring keynote delves into the intriguing possibility of AI enhancing humanity, compassion, and care across health systems. Drawing from her personal journey as a patient and her insight into technology’s potential and pitfalls, Kellee shares her vision for AI’s role in cultivating empathy and humanity within healthcare. She will explore how AI can enhance our capacity for compassion and care, leading to a more patient focused, empathetic, and agile care system. Our world continues to change at a rapid pace. With aging infrastructures, emerging technologies, grid instability, and climate related disruptions, we need to be able to design and construct our healthcare systems with adaptability, resiliency and continuity of care at the forefront. Kellee will discuss how AI can encourage us to deliver care with more empathy and greater flexibility, humanizing interactions by personalizing patient experiences, alleviating administrative burdens, enhancing continuity of care, strengthening interoperability, and enabling healthcare professionals to focus on what truly matters — the human touch.

Can AI truly transform health systems and patient experiences, making them more compassionate and care-centered? Let us explore the exciting potential of AI in nurturing a more humane and holistic wellness environment.

Pending AIA LU/HSWs, GBCI CEs, PDHs

Owners and facility leaders face mounting pressure to modernize infrastructure while balancing budgets, sustainability goals, and long-term resiliency. Poorly tracked upgrades can compromise flexibility, reduce operational reliability, and even impact credit ratings. This interactive panel brings together owners actively engaged in infrastructure master planning to share their processes, lessons learned, and evolving strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights into how better tracking and budgeting methods can strengthen organizational resilience, support sustainability commitments, and enhance financial credibility.

Pending ACHE In-Person*, AIA LU/HSWs, GBCI CEs, PDHs

In today’s competitive marketplace, significant capital expenditure decisions can make or break a healthcare organization and the career of the executive(s) tasked with such decisions. No capital decision may be greater than the construction of a new facility or the substantial renovation of an existing one. After years of relative dormancy, the healthcare construction boom continues throughout the U.S. for a variety of reasons, many of which impact both small community hospitals and large urban health systems alike.

The most common reasons for the renovations, expansions, and replacements include aging facilities, population growth, market demand, and the need to improve operational efficiencies. Additionally, competition moves organizations to incorporate the latest advances in care delivery, medical technology, new building codes and healing design elements to enhance the patient’s experience through the surrounding environment. Changes in building codes and patient safety standards also drive the need for construction and modification.

*This program has been developed and is presented locally by ACHE of Greater Ohio. The American College of Healthcare Executives has awarded 1.5 ACHE In-Person Education Credits to this program.