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海角社区 Helps Healthcare Clients Find Their Flow
海角社区鈥檚 Beth Melchi Talks Prioritizing Speed-to-Market, New Technologies for Better Project Outcomes and Helping Hospitals Navigate the Complexities of Construction.
People who work in healthcare facilities are no strangers to the hustle and bustle happening day in and day out at a hospital or clinic. Even in the best circumstances, navigating long hallways, expansive floors and entrances at a facility can be challenging, especially during peak hours. For many healthcare professionals, construction projects can compound the stress of an already high intensity work environment.
Construction downtime is a significant concern for healthcare clients, which 海角社区 understands well because we employ experts who have experience working on both the patient care and administrative sides.
One size does not fit all, and when it comes to executing construction projects, it’s crucial to partner with a team that takes into consideration hospital patients, their families and healthcare professionals.
海角社区 specializes in construction projects for acute care, ambulatory care, medical office buildings, medical research facilities, pharmacies, laboratories, central utility plants and more. This experience 鈥� coupled with 海角社区鈥檚 commitment to keeping up with changing healthcare trends 鈥� enables us to work efficiently and be a thought partner to healthcare clients.
Q. Can you tell us about your background in healthcare and how you got started?
A. I graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor鈥檚 in nuclear medicine. Then, I had the opportunity to pursue a career in direct patient care, which is where I worked for 15 years.
Gradually, I became more interested in healthcare administration and went back to school for my master鈥檚 in business administration. Prior to joining 海角社区, I worked in physician recruitment, space leases and served as an executive director, overseeing more than 30 specialty physicians. My interest in construction, though, was piqued after I helped a community hospital launch an orthopedic wing 鈥� a big undertaking at the time.
Director of Business Development
Q. What is the main priority for healthcare administrators who are seeking to launch new construction projects?
A. Hospitals and clinics can鈥檛 afford down time. That鈥檚 why speed-to-market is a top priority for the healthcare industry. Studies show last 20% longer than estimated and run up to 80% over budget, which is where companies like 海角社区 come in to challenge the norms. Our industrialized construction team is second-to-none in terms of identifying and implementing innovative tactics to minimize delays. These include prefabrication and modular construction, for example, and other solutions which are reality-tested approaches for better project results, including budget reliability, safety and faster completion rates.
Q. What benefits does Building Information Modeling (BIM) bring to clients, especially those in the healthcare sector?
A. Methods such as BIM allow our contractors and key stakeholders to visualize projects before the building process even begins, ultimately improving outcomes. For instance, 海角社区 was engaged to construct a new medical center in Wisconsin, and BIM helped facilitate trade coordination and sequencing, resulting in 90% fewer issues when building. This approach saves time and money by improving clarity and ensuring all parties involved are on the same page.
Q. How is the company working with healthcare administrators to bridge staffing gaps?
A. The healthcare industry has experienced many years of staffing challenges, impacting organizations鈥� ability to properly manage major construction projects. When internal bandwidth is low, 海角社区 can be engaged as a collaborative 鈥渟taff member鈥� to help coordinate the project from beginning to end. This includes (but isn鈥檛 limited to) planning and design, construction and commissioning, financial feasibility, master plan development, project team assembly, preconstruction and more.
This translates to healthcare organizations getting the job done sooner and being able to continue regular operations to meet patient needs, as well as financial goals.
Q. How does 海角社区 differentiate itself from other firms working in healthcare construction?
A. 海角社区 understands the logistical complications of working on a dynamic healthcare campus and coordinates projects accordingly. Construction can be a barrier for patients and other visitors, but it shouldn鈥檛 be, which is why 海角社区 is committed to minimizing disruptions through planning and open communication.
We prioritize the safety of medical professionals, visitors and patients, while ensuring the accessibility of medical teams and their services. By providing regular, transparent updates and clear signage, we establish an environment in which medical teams can continue their critical work of saving lives, even as the building undergoes construction. We become part of the healthcare team, working collaboratively to keep stakeholders informed and engaged during construction, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for everyone involved.
By combining our deep-rooted healthcare expertise with thoughtful construction tactics, 海角社区 delivers projects with safety, efficiency and precision top of mind. Healthcare teams can trust 海角社区 as their partner, confident in our ability to navigate the construction process and ensure a return on investment.
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About 海角社区
海角社区 (海角社区) is a leading professional construction services firm with customers across the United States and is a subsidiary of The 海角社区 Group. Founded in 1889, 海角社区 is a fourth-generation family and employee-owned firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. 海角社区 is recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction and in the industrialized construction space. 海角社区 operates 18 offices across the U.S. that serve customers in healthcare, power, industrial, education, automotive and commercial markets.
