We could be on the cusp of a Healthcare renaissance. The disruption of the last few months has created opportunities to improve the Healthcare landscape from the inside out.
Disruption creates opportunity, opportunity generates ideas, and when ideas take shape in an industry as impactful as Healthcare—it affects all of us. Join us for a series of conversations with Healthcare stakeholders across our communities, as we explore and reveal the ideas shaping Healthcare.
Building Better Healthcare Facilities: What a Hospital President Has Learned
What makes a great healthcare facility? Beyond exceptional physicians, compassionate nurses, and life-changing care are thousands of decisions made long before the doors open. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Strickler, President UNC Rockingham and UNC Chatham, draws on more than three decades of healthcare leadership to explore how successful facilities balance vision with reality, current needs with future possibilities, and budgets with bold ideas.
He shares practical lessons on planning, simulation, stakeholder engagement, patient experience, workplace violence prevention, operational flow, and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision.
Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-strickler-dha-rn-nea-bc-cpc-4175427/)
Connect with episode host, Heather Hayes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hayes-9aab439/), Senior Advisor, MPS
10 Sept 2025
Designing for Dignity: Rethinking the Treatment of Behavioral Health
In this episode, hosts Minta Ferguson and Heather Hayes are joined by Dr. Karen Lommel, the RobertA. Jolly Jr. Endowed Chair for Psychiatry and Community Health at Prisma Health, and a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. Dr. Lommel shares her insights on how thoughtful design andimproved access can help reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health. With many years of experience leading clinical and design initiatives, she discusses the importance of creating environments where mental health patients feel valued and supported—just like their medicalcounterparts.
Tune in to learn how healthcare leaders are reimagining spaces to promote equity, dignity, and healing for all patients.
10 Jun 2025
Helping Healthcare Providers Improve Margins, Solve Problems, and Sustain Growth: Working with Advisory Services
Healthcare Practice Leader Samer Hamde interviews Minta Ferguson and Heather Hayes about how MPS Advisors helps healthcare providers improve margins and sustain growth through data-driven strategic planning and facility management.
29 Jul 2024
Telehealth Infrastructure that Promotes Effective Care Delivery
In this episode, we discuss high-reliability telehealth infrastructure as a transformative innovation in the healthcare industry. Joining us is Dr. James McElligott from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. McElligott shares some of the history and impact of the Telemedicine rise, including its integration into medical education. Listeners will discover how a pioneering center has evolved over the years and how its scope and reach differ from other telehealth solutions.
MPS host Minta Ferguson also engages Dr. McElligott in a discussion about the telehealth opportunities and challenges posed by the built environment. They discuss the implications of the repeal of the Certificate of Need (CON) in South Carolina and how telemedicine can bridge the gap in access to care in rural communities.
Anyone interested in learning the essential components of an effective telehealth infrastructure, or who want to stay informed on the emerging telemedicine technologies poised to advance telehealth even further, should not miss this episode! Subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes covering this and other relevant topics on Ideas Shaping Healthcare.
10 Apr 2024
WakeMed’s Freestanding Emergency Department Journey: Strategy, Growth, and Lessons Learned
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the nearly twenty-year evolution of WakeMed (https://www.wakemed.org/)’s freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) in North Carolina. Our
guest, Carolyn Knaup, Senior Vice President of Strategic Ventures and Ambulatory Operations, shares invaluable insights from WakeMed’s vast experience operating freestanding EDs in multiple NC communities.
With a guiding principle that “healthcare is local” leading their strategy, Carolyn discusses the pivotal role of community trust and engagement in the success of WakeMed’s FSEDs. Discover how WakeMed’s innovative approach to healthcare accessibility and their commitment to community well-being have shaped their journey from the first standalone ED to their latest 2024 opening.
Listeners will learn about their organizational goals, the importance of strategic placement, and the impact of cross-training in fostering a robust emergency care system that truly serves the community it is designed for.
31 Aug 2023
Opening a FSED for a Thriving Community
In this episode, we delve into the cutting-edge realm of Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs) and their pivotal role in modern healthcare infrastructure. We sat down with William
Kenley, CEO of AnMed Health, and Brett Justice, AnMed’s Chief Strategy Officer, to uncover their profound insights into the planning and implementation of a new FSED project in Anderson County, South Carolina.
AnMed Health is an integrated healthcare system dedicated to
serving a flourishing community. After recognizing a pressing need for more accessible emergency care options, AnMed envisioned an FSED solution that would function as part of a healthcare hub.
An interesting aspect of this FSED endeavor is the three-way
partnership forged between AnMed Health, Anderson County EMS, and Medshore ambulance service. In this model, Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) take center stage, a shift that optimizes response times by decoupling ambulances from paramedics. This award-winning approach is not only enhancing efficiency, but
empowers healthcare professionals to provide rapid, effective care to patients in emergent situations.
MPS Architect Aaron Jeffers also joins the pod to discuss the design’s foundation in community input and the use of everything from virtual reality to decision-making matrixes to aid the planning and design process.
Join us for this discussion of healthcare innovation, community collaboration, and an emerging approach to emergency medical services, as we go behind the scenes of a new Freestanding Emergency Department.
29 Mar 2023
Improving Community Health and Employer Healthcare Costs
In this episode, we explore an on-site, value based primary care delivery model designed by Proactive MD. In our conversation with Troy Corley, Senior Vice President of Proactive MD and Charles Swain, CEO of Foundation Property Group we uncover the "why" behind this new direct primary care model and learn how it is different from other direct to consumer or concierge models. This episode covers:
Top patient loyalty and retention drivers.
Technology integration.
The design of these care environments and what's different from other primary care clinics.
What's changing in local primary care as a result of the ever-evolving Healthcare landscape.
How initiatives such as DEI are informing today's clinical operations strategies.
Minta also introduces her new podcast co-host Mike Tanner, a seasoned healthcare executive with over 20 years in the field. Don't miss this timely discussion!
To learn more about Proactive MD (https://proactive-md.com/), visit: proactive-md.com Want to pitch a guest or idea (https://share.hsforms.com/1j0ZCQD0vSeee5gqXUQSPPA2mkev?__hstc=258343381.0e426ca5a4d1ac738fd4c87c003d5443.1650311315338.1679931562368.1680030537445.300&__hssc=258343381.2.1680030537445&__hsfp=765736562) for the show? Contact US.
9 Aug 2022
Experiential Healthcare Design Tips
Experienced healthcare interior designers understand and are sensitive to the ways the physical environment influences moods, emotions, and behavior. In this episode, Minta talks with Erika Hill, a designer with almost 30 years of experience working with healthcare facilities. Erika approaches healthcare design as a holistic and collaborative process. Listen to the lessons learned and insights shared that can help any client positively impact the experience of their facility for patients and staff.
19 Apr 2022
Carbon Neutrality Considerations for Healthcare Facilities
What can hospitals do now to be well positioned for continued success in reaching carbon neutrality? Greg Hudson and Michael Scruggs from RMF Engineering (https://www.rmf.com/) join Minta in the studio to discuss tips and best practices for this long-term initiative.
5 Apr 2022
Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Tactics for Success
The recent growth of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, coupled with an updated “approved procedures list,” and focus on patient experience, fuels changes in their design and operation. In this episode, Minta interviews Michelle Fortune, CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital, a critical access hospital in North Carolina. Fortune has an extensive history in the successful implementation and operation of ASC’s; join us as we explore the benefits, considerations, and strategies behind successful ACS’s.
Want to suggest a future guest or topic? Contact the show (https://share.hsforms.com/1j0ZCQD0vSeee5gqXUQSPPA2mkev).
22 Feb 2022
Modern Trends and Challenges of Nursing Education
The nursing profession is fast-paced, multi-faceted, and can be adrenaline-driven. Minta hosts Leslie Ravan, Senior Lecturer at Clemson University's School of Nursing, for a discussion on modern nursing education programs. As a practicing nurse for over 17 years, Ravan is also a certified nursing simulation educator. She teaches nursing students critical thinking skills through web-enhanced training and her main area of focus is creating blended methods for best practice in delivering a simulated nursing education.
This conversation covers how nursing education is evolving. Advancements in technology are enhancing the human interaction and mentorship components that nursing programs still rely on. Stereotypes commonly associated with the nursing profession are being challenged and disproven--especially when looking at industry trends over the last 5 years. We hope you enjoy this insider's take on modern nursing education. Thanks for listening!
1 Feb 2022
Bridging the Gap Between Construction, Technology, and Clinical Operations
In this episode, host Minta Ferguson talks with Ali Hobbs, Project Manager for CBRE's Facility Activations Solutions Team. We're always interested in new healthcare technology tools for facility activation and planning. The tech addressed here actually emerged during COVID and is on the forefront of forging the way to help healthcare facilities be more successful in the future. Thanks for joining us!
Have a question about something you heard in this episode, or a suggestion for a future show? Contact Us (https://share.hsforms.com/1j0ZCQD0vSeee5gqXUQSPPA2mkev).
20 Dec 2021
Behavioral Health and Its Integration Into Primary Care and Telehealth Services
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already severe mental health crisis in the US. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation in January of 2021 showed the behavioral health clinicians can only meet 27% of the mental health needs across the country. While the shortage of medical professionals is not limited to this field, no other specialty has such a huge supply/demand imbalance as behavioral health. In this episode, host Minta Ferguson speaks with Martha Whitecotton, Senior VP of Atrium Health's Behavioral Health Services. Ms. Whitecotton shares innovative and forward-thinking ways of integrating behavioral health into primary care and telehealth services.
Minta is also joined by Meredith Letendre, a Senior Strategist for McMillan Pazdan Smith Advisors. Letendre creates customized data analytics that justify facility asset decisions.
Facilities or clinicians looking for effective ways to address the behavioral health shortage, or consumers interested to know what mental health options are out there, should find some good takeaways and real-life examples from this episode.
To learn more about Atrium Health's Behavioral Health Services (https://atriumhealth.org/medical-services/prevention-wellness/behavioral-health).
To contact the show. (https://share.hsforms.com/1j0ZCQD0vSeee5gqXUQSPPA2mkev)
15 Dec 2021
When Vertical Expansion is the Winning Choice
When the hospital C-suite or Facility Managers look at their master plan or a feasibility study, they sometimes wonder, "can we go vertical somewhere?" It's a decision that, when done the right way for the right reasons, can have excellent patient and community benefits--as well as being a smart long-term investment. In this episode, Minta Ferguson, AIA, Director of Planning for McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture talks with guest Deon Lewis, Executive Director of CaroMont Health and Lisa Yagla, AIA, Associate Architect about how an aligned team can use some creative ways to design for flexibility and prepare for the unknown.
This open discussion about a current on-going project reveals the critical success factors and benefits of vertical expansion. Thanks for listening!
14 Dec 2021
Trailer: Ideas Shaping Healthcare
We’re on the verge of experiencing significant advancements to the Healthcare space, and we want to give you a front row seat to discover the ideas that are driving the future of Healthcare now.
To pull back the curtain on Healthcare today, Minta Ferguson, Healthcare Architect and Director of the Strategic Facility Planning group, McMillan Pazdan Smith Advisors hosts a series of conversations with Healthcare stakeholders who are working to elevate environments of care in their communities. It’s exciting work, with new data and innovations being employed all the time.
Join us, as we explore and reveal the ideas shaping Healthcare.
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