On April 18, 2023, healthcare and life sciences professionals, including a few Equinox HIT team members, gathered at The Cable Center in Denver for the highly anticipated 2023 Health Care & Life Sciences Conference & Expo hosted by The Colorado Real Estate Journal. The event featured a day filled with informative panels, engaging discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, showcasing the latest trends and insights in the ever-evolving field of health care and life sciences. The day started with a warm welcome and opening remarks by the emcee, Brian Betner, an attorney from Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC.
The conference kicked off with an intriguing panel discussion on "What Are Colorado's Healthcare Systems Planning for the Future?" Moderated by John Marshall, Principal Advisor at Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, the panel included Kevin Kucera, Director of Real Estate at HCA Healthcare | Continental Division; Chris Daigneault, Enterprise Director of Real Estate & Operations at Centura Health; Rick Redetzke, VP of Facilities, Design & Construction at UCHealth; and Jeffrey Crawford, Founder of RMI - Healthcare Real Estate Advisors. The panelists discussed the future plans and strategies of Colorado's healthcare systems, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities in the industry.
Following the first panel, the conference continued with a lively discussion with the Broker Panel and Leasing Outlook. Moderated by Dann Burke, Senior Vice President of Advisory and Transaction Services - Healthcare Real Estate at CBRE, the panel included Christian Weber, Vice President of Leasing at Healthpeak Medical Office Properties, Inc.; Casey Pileggi, Vice President & National Director of Leasing at Healthcare Realty; Jack Schuber, Regional Leasing Director at Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc.; Melissa Robberson, Partner at RMI - Healthcare Real Estate Advisors; and Stephani Gaskins, Vice President at CBRE. The panelists shared their insights on the current leasing trends and outlook for the healthcare real estate market, providing valuable information for industry professionals.
After a networking break with food and beverages in the expo hall, the conference resumed with a panel discussion on Design and Construction. Moderated by Justin Cooper, President of Saunders Construction, the panel featured Wendi Ekborg, AIA, LEED AP, Principal at Davis Partnership Architects; Joe Hanlin, Senior Project Manager at Haselden Construction; and Rebecca Brennan, RID, CID, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, LEED AP, Principal at Design Studio Blue. The panelists shared their expertise on the latest healthcare facility design and construction trends, including sustainability, innovation, and patient-centric approaches.
The conference also included a thought-provoking panel on Life Sciences moderated by Erik Abrahamson, First Vice President at CBRE. The panelists included Mike Ruhl, Vice President at BioMed Realty; Cartter Berg, Director at Eastdil Secured; Tom Alford, Senior Vice President/General Manager at Saunders Construction; and Elyse Blazevich, President and CEO of Colorado BioScience Association. The panel discussed the latest developments in the life sciences industry, including advancements in research, innovation, and the impact on healthcare and the economy.
The last panel of the day was on Development and Investment Opportunities. Moderated by Joel Swider, Shareholder at Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, the panelists included Joseph Fogarty, Vice President - Investments at Healthcare Realty; Thomas W. Hulme, Vice President of Development & Leasing at Healthpeak Properties; Jim Hartmann, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at NexCore Group; Jake Dinnen, SVP of Development at PMB; Andrew Shearer, Founder/Manager of Development Solutions Group, LLC.
The day provided an invaluable platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas, gain insights, and build relationships. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the dynamic fields of healthcare and life sciences, and were inspired to continue driving innovation and excellence in the industry.