Bridging the gap: The intersection between hospital leadership, design, and engineering in modern hospital facilities

Date:  3 March 2026
Host:  IHF
In collaboration between the IHF and the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE), this webinar presents the considerations for designing patient-centred healthcare environments, as well as case studies showcasing international examples of good practice.

Where and when

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment, effective collaboration between hospital leaders, architects, and engineers is essential to create facilities that are safe, efficient, patient-centred, and adaptable. Yet these groups often approach problems from very different perspectives, leading to breakdowns in communication, project delays, and design solutions that don’t fully meet clinical or operational needs.

This webinar brings together experts from hospital administration, architecture, and engineering to explore how these disciplines can work in true partnership. Through real-world case studies, panel discussion, and Q&A, attendees will dip deep into common challenges and priorities, and discover how to integrate diverse expertise throughout the facility planning, design, and construction process.

Who should attend

Hospital executives and administrators, facilities and engineering leaders, architects, designers, planners, construction professionals, and anyone involved in shaping the future of healthcare environments.

Panellists

Chaired by Walt Vernon, with presentations and discussion from Amy Krause, Alexandre Wagnieres, Fábio Bitencourt, and Christian Schuhmacher.

Mazzetti

Walt Vernon

CEO, Mazzetti

Walt is CEO of Mazzetti, a global planning, design and engineering firm and an IHF Premier Associate Member.

Mazzetti

Walt Vernon

CEO, Mazzetti

Walt is CEO of Mazzetti, a global planning, design and engineering firm and an IHF Premier Associate Member. Walt has over 30 years of experience in the research, planning, and design of healthcare facilities. He is also the founder of the non-profit organization, the Sextant Foundation. Alongside these roles, Walt’s industry contributions include serving on the board of both Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm. He was also was principal author for the World Health Organization’s Health in the Green Economy, as well as AHA’s Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals – A Guide to Achieving Your Sustainability Goals.

Mediclinic Southern Africa Infrastructure Department

Amy Krause

Architectural Design Manager

Amy Krause has approximately 23 years of working experience as a Registered Professional Architectural Technologist in project scope, masterplan design, technical document preparation, office and...

Mediclinic Southern Africa Infrastructure Department

Amy Krause

Architectural Design Manager

Amy Krause has approximately 23 years of working experience as a Registered Professional Architectural Technologist in project scope, masterplan design, technical document preparation, office and project management, and administration.  She has worked in Healthcare for 18 years and currently holds a management position for Mediclinic Southern Africa Infrastructure department as an Architectural Design Manager. The constant design and understanding of the detail, layout of a healthcare facility, flow, and technical world of healthcare architecture has kept her up to date with all areas of the architectural world. She has many close working relations with all facets of Healthcare Management and departments in the facilities. Amy’s passion for standards, regulations, & guidelines that influence the Healthcare design world, she often pushes for change in the environment of design, to ensure an improved clinical outcome.

Emirates Hospitals Group, UAE

Christian Schuhmacher

Executive Chairman of the Board

Christian Schuhmacher is a seasoned healthcare executive and board director with over 20 years of international experience in healthcare investments, management, and strategy. As the...

Emirates Hospitals Group, UAE

Christian Schuhmacher

Executive Chairman of the Board

Christian Schuhmacher is a seasoned healthcare executive and board director with over 20 years of international experience in healthcare investments, management, and strategy. As the Founder and Managing Director of Swissglobal Advisory, he provides strategic advisory services to healthcare investors and organizations across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.

Christian holds multiple board positions, including Executive Chairman of Emirates Hospital Group Dubai Board, Non-Executive Board Member at VAMED Switzerland and smc Hospital Group in Saudi Arabia, and Non-Executive Director at Awali Hospital in Bahrain. Previously, as Managing Director at VAMED, he played a key role in expanding the international footprint of the healthcare service vertical across the Middle East, South-East Asia, and Africa. His expertise includes healthcare management, turnarounds, and growth strategies, as well as operational transformation and clinical strategy. He has successfully led major healthcare institutions, including King’s College Hospital London in Dubai and Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai, driving sustainable growth and innovation.

With a Master of Law from the University of Basel and an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen, Christian combines legal, financial, and operational acumen to drive sustainable growth in the healthcare sector.

International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE)

Fábio Bitencourt

Vice-President

Vice-President of the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE); Coordinator of the IFHE Americas Regional Group and International Coordinator of the IFHE Academy. Full Member...

International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE)

Fábio Bitencourt

Vice-President

Architect, professor, and researcher. Post-Doctorate in Energy Planning (COPPE/UFRJ - 2022/2025). PhD in Architectural Sciences for Healthcare (PROARQ/FAU/UFRJ – 2004/2007). Master's degree in environmental comfort and energy efficiency (PROARQ/FAU/UFRJ – 2000/2002). Vice-President of the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE); Coordinator of the IFHE Americas Regional Group and International Coordinator of the IFHE Academy. Full Member of the Brazilian Academy of Hospital Administration (ABAH); Professor and Coordinator of postgraduate courses in Sustainable Urbanism, Architecture for Healthy Cities, and Hospital Architecture. Author of several books and publications (Portuguese, English, and Spanish) on the themes of cities, sustainable urban planning, hospital architecture, healthcare environments, and ergonomics.

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Alexandre Wagnières

Hospital architect

Alexandre graduated from EPFL (Polytechnic School of Lausanne) in 1995. He has been the hospital architect at the CHUV since 2020, following 25 years working...

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Alexandre Wagnières

Hospital architect
Alexandre graduated from EPFL (Polytechnic School of Lausanne) in 1995. He has been the hospital architect at the CHUV since 2020, following 25 years working in private offices, humanitarian organizations, and at the Vaud State Builder's Service.

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