Integrating Building Code, Licensing, and Joint Commission for Successful Project Delivery

Due to popular demand, this month’s event is SOLD OUT. 

This month’s AIA Los Angeles Healthcare Committee event will feature a panel discussion on the importance of integrating building code, licensing, and Joint Commission for the successful delivery of licensed healthcare projects. Hear from our panel of experts from Cedars-Sinai about their unique roles at the organization. Learn about the interface between OSHPD, Joint Commission, and the California Department of Public Health, tools for successful integration of their specific requirements into the design process, and lessons learned from past projects.

Moderator:

Jhiah Chang, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP, Lean Green Belt Senior Architect, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Cedars-Sinai

Jhiah Chang has over 17 years of experience as a planner, designer, and project manager for healthcare and academic projects across North America. She is passionate about planning and designing environments that are sustainable and operationally efficient, and that support patient- and family-centered care. She enjoys working with end users, ranging from children and nurses to hospital administrators, and consequently draws inspiration from those who are compassionate and driven to improve the lives of others. As a Senior Architect at Cedars-Sinai, Jhiah is responsible for managing the design and planning of major capital construction projects, ranging from outpatient clinic expansions to inpatient pediatric units.

Panelists:

Christine Tuchmayer Executive Director, Office of Licensure, Accreditation and Regulation (OLAR) Cedars-Sinai

Christine Tuchmayer is the Executive Director of the Office of Licensure, Accreditation and Regulation (OLAR) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She has over 28 years of nursing experience, with 22 years at Cedars-Sinai and holds a Master of Science in Nursing Education. Christine has experience as an Infection Preventionist and maintains her Certification in Infection Control. She began her role in OLAR as an Accreditation Specialist and earned the President’s Award for her exceptional work with survey readiness. She is also certified in Healthcare Accreditation. Christine played a key role with Cedars-Sinai International Health’s achievement of the Global Health Accreditation. She most recently led a very successful Joint Commission Survey for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital. Christine serves on the California Hospital Association Licensing & Certification Committee and became the first to represent Cedars-Sinai as a council member for the Joint Commission Hospital Advisory Council.

Gary Dunger Executive Director, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Cedars-Sinai

Gary Dunger is an Executive Director for Cedars-Sinai Health System, responsible for overseeing the development of Planning, Design and Construction projects for the entire Health System from inception through project close-out. Formerly the Business Process Manager, Chief Fire & Life Safety Office and Regional Compliance Officer for the State of California, Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development (OSHPD), Gary has been involved with health facilities construction for 30 years.

Karina Moore, MSHA Director, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Cedars-Sinai

Karina Moore has over 15 years of experience in the Healthcare design and construction industry; Karina is responsible for the bidding strategies, selection processes, contracting and management of the vast vendor pool that works on Cedars Sinai Medical Center’s robust Capital Projects portfolio. Karina is also responsible for the licensing of all capital projects across the Cedars-Sinai Health System; she is the liaison between the Health System and the California Department of Public Health and the California State Board of Pharmacy. Karina has spearheaded the creation of a Capital Projects Diversity and Inclusion framework; this framework encompasses selection, procurement and contracting for Capital Projects. Her passion for Community Impact is represented in her joining the Board of ACE Mentor L.A./O.C. in 2021. Karina received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an Economics minor from UC San Diego, holds a Masters in Health Administration from CSU, Northridge and a Construction Management Certificate Program from UCLA Extension.

Sing Sing Lee, AIA, LEED AP, Lean Black Belt Senior Architect, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Cedars-Sinai

Sing Sing Lee is a Senior Architect and Planner with Cedars-Sinai and oversees major capital construction projects as a project designer, medical planner, and project manager. She received a bachelor’s degree in architecture at SCI-Arc and has worked with healthcare, higher education, corporate commercial, and entertainment clients. Her healthcare portfolio includes Oregon Health and Sciences Kohler Pavilion, Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, LCCD DB, various Kaiser Permanente projects, and the development of a 300 acre medical city in China.

Learning Objectives:

1. Distinguish the roles that various Authorities having Jurisdiction (Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, California Department of Public Health, and Joint Commission) play in the design, approval, and activation of compliant and safe healthcare environments.
2. Analyze examples from recent projects where early integration and discussions about licensure resulted in positive outcomes for project delivery.
3. Identify tools that owners and the AEC community can utilize in their respective practices to enhance the project delivery process and minimize last minute changes during construction and activation of licensed projects.
4. Summarize the importance of post-occupancy operations and maintenance of completed projects and what owners do to maintain certifications and quality of care in their healthcare environments.