Extreme weather events are repeatedly testing the resiliency of healthcare facilities and their ability to maintain essential functions. More than ever, a thorough planning process that considers infrastructure needs, design factors, backup systems, and budget realities is essential in preventing costly damages and disruptions to critical care when it is needed most.

In a presentation at the NCHEA District IV annual Education Event, Flad Principal Steve Jackson will discuss how intentional resilience planning has enabled Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Vencie to remain operational through multiple hurricanes that forced nearby hospitals along Florida's Gulf Coast to close their doors. The presentation will also explore how lessons learned have been applied to the design of other new hospital campuses in Florida as well as high profile healthcare projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Steve will detail the resiliency strategies that are at the heart of designs for the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center and Donna M. Christian-Christensen MD Department of Public Health Facility, both located in Christiansted, St. Croix. Both new facilities will replace critical healthcare structures that suffered severe damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.