2025 CHES National Conference Program

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

Social Add-Ons-Extra Fees apply

Two Great Facility Tours: Choose one! South Health Campus and Arthur J. Childs Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Facility Tours Sponsored by

Great CHES Golf Tournament – Kananaskis Golf Club

Women in CHES Brunch-Marriott Downtown – Sponsored by Colliers Project Leaders

Full Companion Program (Sunday-Monday) – for guests of registered delegates

Sunday Only trip with Companion Program
SUNDAY, SEPTMBER 14, 2025

1830-2030 OPENING RECEPTION (All registrants welcome to attend – no additional fees!) – Sponsored by
Opening Reception Entertainment Sponsored by

STUDIO BELL-NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE

Shuttle buses will operate from the Marriott Downtown to the venue beginning at 6:15 with last departure from Studio Bell at 9pm.

 
 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
Thank you to our Delegate Sponsor
0700-0830 Continental Breakfast – BMO Centre.

Co-Sponsored by       

0830-0845 Opening Ceremonies
0845-0930 KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Sponsored by Honeywell
Ross Bernstein
“The Champion’s Code: Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability from the Sports World to the Business World”
The best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, Ross Bernstein is an award-winning peak performance hall of fame business speaker who has keynoted conferences for Fortune 500 companies on all seven continents and has been featured on CNN, ESPN, Fox News and
“CBS This Morning,” as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today.
Ross’ program is all about the DNA of what makes champions in sports so unique and how that relates to business. It’s based on a series of books he wrote in which he was able to interview more than 1,000 professional athletes and coaches that all had one thing in
common — they were all members of championship teams. In his research, he concluded that the same metrics and characteristics that were common among champions in sports were also common among peak performers in business. There are reasons certain teams win consistently, whereas others don’t and Ross explains why. It’s based largely on the “Good to Great” concept of how the best companies are able to separate themselves from the rest
of the pack through servant leadership, by creating a culture of excellence, by developing deeper relationships and by giving extraordinary customer service. Ross weaves sports stories about the DNA of champions, along with stories of companies he has worked with around the world — and shares best practice ideas on ways to overcome disruption, while ultimately building stronger relationships. At the core of his message is the simple
fact that we like to do business with people we trust, we like and who just “get it”
— CHAMPIONS. In an engaging, provocative and visually entertaining style, Ross will use inspirational stories and poignant life lessons from the world of sports to show attendees how to:
• Create a “culture of excellence” by giving extraordinary customer service.
• Generate momentum by utilizing the “currency of karma”.
• Follow their moral compasses to win “the right way,” with respect, ethics, and integrity.
• Be better leaders and create more “buy-in” by embracing change and failure.
• Evolve from “order takers” to “trusted partners” by enhancing the quality of their relationships. CEU – Administration: 1 credit

 

09:30-10:30  TRACK 1: PLENARY SESSION
Lanny McDonald, Ex-NHL and Calgary native

Lanny McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies & Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. Lanny McDonald eclipsed the 80-point mark in 6 seasons and was an 8x 30-goal scorer as well, retiring with 500 goals and 506 assists after winning his first Stanley Cup in 1989. Lanny is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and has served on its executive committee. McDonald is among the most popular players in Flames history and his personality and bushy red moustache made him an iconic figure within the sport. McDonald won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for dedication and sportsmanship in 1983 and in 1988 was named the inaugural winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian presence, in particular through his long association with the Special Olympics.

 

1030-1100 Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by            Green Park Recognized Vendor Program Sponsored by 

 

1100-1200 CONCURRENT SESSIONS: TRACKS 2A & 2B

 

1100-1200 TRACK 2A: Transforming Toronto Western Hospital: Leveraging Construction Management with the Design-Assist Model to Empower Project Teams and Inspire Creativity
This session will explore a transformative healthcare infrastructure project delivered through the Construction Management (CM) with Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) design-assist process. Rooted in collaboration, innovation and empowerment, the project team’s approach addressed complex challenges of a dense urban site while optimizing engineering solutions and fostering stakeholder alignment. Key outcomes include mitigated project risk, enhanced efficiency, improved design outcomes and a replicable model for future projects.

After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe the key benefits of early contractor involvement in the design-assist process, including improved pricing evaluation and constructability analysis.
  2. Illustrate the advantages of the CM with GMP model for owners, design teams and contractors in reducing risks, optimizing designs and accelerating project timelines.
  3. Explain how collaborative product selection and early vendor engagement minimize uncertainties and reduce contingency costs during construction.
  4. Assess the transformative impact of the design-assist model on project workflows, stakeholder alignment and overall project efficiency.

CEU – Planning and Design – 1 credit

Sponsored by:

 Speakers:
John Bastian, B.Tech., LEED® AP, Associate Director, Principal, HH Angus
Kerri Culver, OAA, MBA, PMP, LEED® AP, EDAC, Chief Planning Officer, University Health Network
Raul Dominguez, P.Eng, Partner, Mechanical Engineer, DIALOG
Joseph Day, P.Eng., CM-Lean, GSC, Construction Manager, EllisDon

 

TRACK 2B: Treating Patient Rooms as their Homes
While patient- and family- centred care is a well-established focus in clinical settings, its integration into non-clinical departments, such as Building services, has often been overlooked. Building services staff, responsible for maintaining hospital environments, directly interact with patients and families during their hospital stays. Ensuring these interactions align with patient-centered principles is essential to improving the overall patient experience and satisfaction. To enhance professionalism, this policy outlines a departmental script for staff interactions with patients and families during maintenance services.

After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Identify key strategies for integrating patient- and family-centred care principles into non-clinical healthcare environments.
  2. Describe the role of scripting policies in enhancing professionalism and communication within support services departments.
  3. Evaluate the impact of building operations and maintenance procedures on patient satisfaction and overall care experience.
  4. List best practices for ensuring compliance with safety codes, regulations and quality assurance standards in healthcare facilities management.

CEU – Maintenance & Operations: 1 credit

Sponsored by:

Speaker: Joe Luisi, FMP, Facilities Manager, Sinai Health System

 
1200-1300 TRACK 3: 2 CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 3A & 3B

 

1200-1300 TRACK 3A: Reimagining Aging Healthcare Infrastructure: An Innovative and Sustainable Approach to Creating System Capacity
Hospitals continue to grapple with aging infrastructure that no longer support current models of care. With the unprecedented escalation in construction costs, there is a strong need to reimagine aging infrastructure and to extend the lives of these assets. The revitalization of North York General Hospital’s Finch site demonstrates how an aging facility was transformed to create much needed inpatient beds. This session highlights lessons learned in project delivery and the inherent sustainability in reimagining aging facilities.
After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe an approach to reimagine aging healthcare infrastructure.
  2. Provide an overview of an innovative approach to project delivery in revitalization of an aging site to create system capacity.
  3. Describe lessons learned from the delivery of complex renovations in aging facilities.
  4. Provide insights into the benefits of a viable and sustainable path forward to reimagine gaining healthcare infrastructure.

CEU – Maintenance & Operations, Finance Management, Administration: 1 credit

Sponsored by:

Speakers:
Rudy Dahdal, MHSc.(HA), CHE, Vice President, Planning & Redevelopment, North York General Hospital 
Jeff Jerome, OAA, Director, Capital Planning, North York General Hospital
Track 3B: Long-term Care Design in the Canadian Arctic: Part 2- A Case Study

This session is the second part, as we had presented the first part in an earlier CHES presentation about KIvalliq Long-Term Care Facility, the first of its kind in Nunvaut.  In this session, we will review lessons learned as the facility opened in early 2025, as well as how these lessons will be applied in the proposed Kitikmeot Long-Term Care Facility planned for Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Assess the facility design and how it was built.
  2. Review lessons learned during the process of design and construction.
  3. Describe how these lessons are being applied in future projects in the arctic.

CEU – Planning, Design & Construction: 1 credit
Speakers:
Jeff Penner, MAA, OAA, MRAIC, LEED, Senior Associate/Senior Architect, Verne Reimer Architecture Incorporated
1300-1500 EXHIBIT HALL
1300-1400 Lunch in Exhibit Hall – Co-Sponsored by and
1400-1500 Free Time in Exhibits.
Visit the photo booth in the room and take a complimentary professional headshot image! Sponsored by:
1500-1600 TRACK 4: 2 CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 4A & 4B

 

1500-1600 TRACK 4A: From Sand to Serenity: The Engineering Feats Behind the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital
Designing the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital in the Dubai desert presents unique engineering challenges, especially when managed from afar. This presentation explores the integration of sustainable engineering practices to minimize environmental impact and ensure energy efficiency, the use of advanced materials and technologies to withstand the desert climate, and strategies for effective remote collaboration. Attendees will gain insights into critical considerations for designing healthcare facilities in extreme environments and the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork. After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Identify at least three major engineering challenges faced when designing a hospital in a climactically challenging environment, such as extreme temperatures, water scarcity and remote logistics.
  2. Understand at least two strategies for effective remote collaboration and project management, applicable to similar large-scale engineering projects.
  3. Explain at least two ways in which engineering design and innovations for challenging climates can contribute to improved patient well-being and outcomes, such as enhanced comfort and safety.
  4. Describe at least two sustainable building practices that can minimize environmental impact and ensure energy efficiency while withstanding a harsh climate.

CEU – Codes & Standards Compliance, Planning Design & Construction: 1 credit
Speakers:
Chris Kavelaars, P.Eng., Mechanical Engineer, Stantec
Hana Ready, Mechanical EIT, Designer, Health, Stantec

 

1500-1600 TRACK 4B: Empowering Healthcare: Horizon’s Energy Evolution
Successfully implementing energy management requires a team effort, empowering people from senior leadership to daily operations and frontline staff. This comes with many challenges along the way and requires teams to work in an inspiring way that builds trust and knowledge. Horizon’s Energy Network embarked on a decade long journey in embedding sustainability and energy efficiency into our facilities culture and daily best practices. This presentation will showcase how people have made that journey successful. After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe the successful people approach by empowering and engaging from senior staff to facilities staff and everyone in-between.
  2. Understand how training, knowledge sharing and capacity building is key to effectively accomplishing energy management best practices, energy reduction projects, and reducing projects and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  3. Identify three brief case studies, which will include cost, energy and GHG avoidances, to showcase the challenges that arise and are overcome to successfully implement energy management best practices and projects.

CEU – Maintenance & Operations, Finance Management: 1 credit
Speakers:
Brent Godbout, Service NB Energy Manager, Service New Brunswick-Energy Management Branch
Kate Butler: Executive Director Energy Management, Service New Brunswick
1600-1700 “Happy Hour” in Exhibit Hall

Sponsored by:

1800-1900 President’s Reception – Sponsored by
Entertainment Sponsored by: Percheron Ballroom, BMO Centre-Stampede Park
1900-23:00 Gala Banquet Sponsored by

Gala Banquet Entertainment – Dueling Piano Kings Sponsored by

 

Percheron Ballroom, BMO Centre-Stampede Park
 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
0700-0830 Continental Breakfast – BMO Centre – Stampede Park.
Co-Sponsored by  

0830-0930 TRACK 5: 2 CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 5A & 5B

 

0830-0930 TRACK 5A: What Does Grampa Think? Questioning the Wisdom of Grandfathering Older Buildings
In Canada, it is generally held that if an existing building was built according to the code of the day, and if that building has not seen notable changes in use, it is considered “grandfathered.”  As such, there is no need to continuously update buildings as codes and standards evolve.  This session will explore the wisdom of this practice and the risks that are created by doing do so in healthcare buildings.

After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Understand the history of “grandfathering.”
  2. Evaluate whether the concept should be utilized for their existing building stock.
  3. Determine the risks being accepted if making use of “grandfathering.”
  4. Communicate with clinical leaders with regard to accepted risks.

CEU – Codes & Standards Compliance: 1 credit
Speaker: Gordon Burill, P.Eng., CCHFM, CHC, CHFM, FASHE, Teegor Consulting

 

0830-0930 TRACK 5B: Improving Project Performance in Healthcare Construction
This presentation will explore key strategies for improving project performance in healthcare facilities. It will cover the evolution of project management within healthcare, defining “project success,” and the critical role of scheduling in achieving it. Attendees will learn about essential scheduling techniques, including Critical Path Scheduling (CPS) and Critical Chain Scheduling (CCS), to effectively manage complex projects, mitigate risks and ensure timely, safe and successful project outcomes in healthcare environments. After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Understand why projects fail (project management within facilities).
  2. Know the importance of defining “project success” in your organization to align expectations.
  3. Understand scheduling as a component of project success and how scheduling contributes.
  4. Provide effective scheduling techniques.

CEU – Planning, Design & Construction, Finance Management: 1 credit

Sponsored by:

Speaker: Gordon Howie, Regional Chair-Facilities & Support Services, Mayo Clinic Health System

 
0930-1015 CHES National Annual General Meeting-All CHES Members welcome

 
1015-1045 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall – Co-sponsored by
         
1015-1045 Alberta Infrastructure (GOA) – Speaker TBA.  Hosted by CHES Alberta Chapter with a focus on those in Alberta Healthcare.

 
1015-1415 Exhibit Hall Open

 
1215-1315 Lunch in the Exhibit Hall Sponsored by

 

1315-1415 CONCURRENT TRACKS 6A & 6B

TRACK 6A: You Must Start at the Start: Developing a Culture of Infection Prevention and Control for New Construction Projects
The Ksyen (kuh see yen) Regional Hospital is a replacement hospital project in Terrace, B.C. Seeing first patients in November 2024, this project team tackled the challenges of infection control during construction in the face of changing standards. Come listen to three members of the multi-disciplinary team explore how to build that team and establish a culture of infection prevention that permeated through more than 5,000 construction workers on this large construction site.
After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Understand the importance of beginning to establish culture early in any project.
  2. Recognize that difference of perspectives can be productive (if you allow to be).
  3. Take home ideas to use on their next new hospital construction project.

CEU – Codes & Standards Compliance, Planning Design & Construction: 1 credit
  Speakers:
Gordon Burrill, P.Eng., CCHFM, CHC, CHFM, FASHE, Teegor Consulting
Shirley Nichol, Project Manager, Northern Health Authority
Michael King, Construction Manager, PCL
TRACK 6B: Empowering our SMART Healthcare Future: The Data Centre Opportunity
This presentation explores the potential for collaboration between the healthcare and data centre industries to address the financial, technological and environmental challenges of modern healthcare infrastructure. By integrating data centre technologies, we aim to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve patient outcomes, while fostering innovative partnerships and sustainable development. After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Recognize infrastructure challenges to implementing AI-enabled healthcare technologies.
  2. Review the development status of other industry sectors that complement the healthcare facility redevelopment process.
  3. Identify collaborative partnering opportunities that enhance healthcare redevelopment opportunities.

CEU – Codes & Standards Compliance, Planning Design & Construction: 1 credit

Sponsored by:

  Speaker: Kevin Cassidy, P. Eng, National Sector Lead – Healthcare & Science, WSP Canada

 

14:15-15:15 CONCURRENT TRACKS 7A & 7B
TRACK 7A: Bridging the Gap in Mental Health with Collaborative Construction Delivery
CASA Mental Health and WSP are transforming mental healthcare for youth with Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). This collaborative approach fosters open communication and leads to innovative solutions. The IPD partners are working together to construct four new facilities across Alberta to better serve children, youth and families. As an IPD team member, WSP is designing four new CASA facilities, prioritizing collaboration, efficiency and sustainability to improve mental health services for young people in Alberta.After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe “the missing middle” in mental health by identifying key gaps in service delivery and proposing strategies to address these gaps.
  2. Explain how CASA Mental Health empowers their team by outlining specific initiatives and practices that enhance team performance and service quality.
  3. Present the IPD method for four separate buildings located throughout Alberta by detailing the steps involved and the expected outcomes for each facility.
  4. Identify the benefits and contributions of IPD, providing examples of successful implementations and their impact on project efficiency.

CEU – Codes & Standards Compliance, Planning Design & Construction: 1 credit

Sponsored by  

Speakers:
Alan Williams, Senior Principal, WSP Canada Inc.
Bonnie Blakley, MA, CEO, CASA Mental Health
TRACK  7B: Time for an Air Change; Advancing Demand-Controlled Displacement Ventilation
This session will summarize current research findings and best practices from the Displacement Ventilation Emergence in Healthcare (DiVE) multi-year research and engagement initiative that seeks to advance the application of DV in healthcare.  In keeping with the theme, the DiVE project is guided by the proverb, “if you want to go far, go together” and seeks to involve all interest holders who are needed to achieve the full potential of DV in healthcare. After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Assess the applicability of DV to their specific context or project.
  2. Identify myths and misconceptions of DV (and be aware of a more accurate perspective).
  3. List the benefits and limitations of DV Engage interest holders in their context to explore the beneficial application of DV where applicable.

CEU – Maintenance & Operations, Code & Standards Compliance: 1 credit

Sponsored by 

Speakers:
Alex Hutton, P.Eng., CEM, LEED® AP, Founding Principal, Swordfern Strategic Sustainability
Greg Allan, P.Eng., LEED® AP, Senior Associate, Rivercourt Engineering Inc.
Tariq Amlani, P.Eng., CEM, LEED® AP, Senior Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Stantec

 

15:15-15:45 Refreshment Break outside Palomino Foyer

 
15:45-16:45 CLOSING PLENARY SESSION – TRACK 8
From IPD to Alliance: What is a collaborative contract and how does it work
Collaborative contract models like Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Alliance emphasize strong relationships, shared responsibility and collective decision-making, crucial for healthcare projects. IPD promotes a highly collaborative process with all parties working as a single team and where profit is at risk, while Alliance furthers the integration in a no-fault contract that incentives best for project outcomes. In this session, we will explore and explain the details of how these contract models work in health.
After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Understand the key principles and benefits of IPD and Alliance contract models in healthcare projects.
  2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of designers, owners and builders within collaborative contract models and how they contribute to project success.
  3. Analyze the impact of collaborative contract models on project outcomes, including innovation, efficiency and constituent alignment.
  4. Evaluate the effectiveness of shared responsibility and collective decision-making in enhancing healthcare project delivery.

CEU – Planning, Design & Construction, Finance Management: 1 credit
Speakers:
Tariq Amlani, P.Eng., CEM, LEED® AP, Senior Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Stantec
Jennifer Storey, Senior Principal, Health Sector Lead (US), Stantec 

 

16:45-17:00 Closing Remarks
CHES President

 

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