Welcome to this month's episode of Transition Tea. Charles Gianfagna, the Principal of Charles Gianfagna, LLC, joins Christina Olivarria, Yellow Brick's Director of Business Development and Communications, in a discussion about strategic planning over a comforting cup of Japanese sencha by David's Tea. Charles is an architect with a background in Health Services Planning and Design, the precursor to what is now commonly known as Strategic Planning. Charles shifted his focus to Construction Management five years into his architecture practice. In his Facilities Management role at a major cancer facility in New York City, he learned the ropes while working on large and small-scale projects. Charles shares his insights as an experienced strategic planner who he likens to an orchestra conductor. Learn about the triad combination that helps facility executives make informed decisions based on evidence and facts to ensure their new facility's successful construction and activation.
Yellow Brick welcomes Tom Redding, St. Onge’s Senior Managing Director for Health Care Services, to Transition Tea. Over a cup of Earl Grey tea by David’s Tea, Yellow Brick’s Director of Business Development and Communications Christina Olivarria has an eye-opening conversation with Tom about the involvement of an engineering solutions firm like St. Onge lifecycle of a new facility, from the design intent through activation.
Learn how St. Onge supports change management in an organization with a new facility- determining the right mix of technology and systems, and elevating its capabilities with patient care delivery.
Welcome back! For our first Transition Tea episode for 2023, Christina Olivarria, Yellow Brick's Director of Business Development and Communications, is joined by Teal Heath, Principal and Health Care Executive Consultant for Equinox Healthcare IT. Equinox HIT is a team of experts in information and communication technology, healthcare construction, and transformation projects. While enjoying a cup of soothing Ginger tea by David's Tea, Christina and Teal engage in an exciting discussion about Healthcare IT consulting and the impact of technology in today's healthcare facility environment. Gain an insight on how IT supports medical equipment and systems, day-to-day operations, and end-user education on integrating technology into daily workflows. Grab a cup of your favorite tea and spend some time with us. This episode is definitely worth a listen!
More than 70% of the 89 construction and design firms surveyed said they are seeing increased demand for a behavioral health component in their medical projects, according to Modern Healthcare 2022 Construction and Design Survey. In this week's episode, we sit down with Dr. Donna Demerjian, Yellow Brick's Director of Behavioral Health Services, to discuss Donna's 30-year career in behavioral health as a provider, administrator, and consultant. Donna shares her views on why she believes there has been such growth in the market and the key components that healthcare leaders need to consider when activating a new behavioral health environment. Together Christina and Donna review move planning, emerging trends, and lessons learned that she has gained through her experience.
On this episode of Transition Tea, we sit down with Adrienne Haynes, Associate Director, Design and Construction at Cedars-Sinai. During the conversation, Christina and Adrienne discuss Adrienne's exciting journey from the clinical lab, to architecture, to healthcare facility planning. Adrienne shares key insights in the planning of a new laboratory space including licensing requirements and design considerations. Having worked on a wide assortment of large and small projects, Adrienne shares how important the clinical voice is in design and how Dress Rehearsal events help tie all the pieces together. This is a jam-packed episode filled with cheer and reflection that you will not want to miss.
On this week’s episode of Transition Tea, we are joined by Ellen Cammarano, Program Manager of Service Line Planning & Operations at Keck Medicine of USC. Tune in as Ellen and Christina Olivarria, Yellow Brick’s Director of Business Development and Communications, enjoy a cup of David's Tea Saigon Chai and discuss how Ellen’s interest in healthcare ultimately led her to be the Project Manager of Keck Medicine’s new Advanced Center of Endoscopy project. During the conversation, Ellen shares lessons learned through her first project and the tools and skills that have made her successful at meeting the needs of her clinical partners. Ellen also shares how she works with her project sponsors to escalate issues and what’s next after she wraps up her first project with Keck. Anyone who is new to the world of Transition, this episode is for you!
For this episode of Transition Tea, Yellow Brick’s Director of Communications Christina Olivarria welcomes Maureen Chin, Associate Director for Inpatient Pediatrics, the Pediatric ICU, and Child Life Services at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Over a cup of soothing Serenity Now tea by David’s Tea, Maureen shares how her pursuit of a nursing career started early on in her childhood out of a desire to do something that gives back, something meaningful, different, and ever-changing. Fast forward to the present, with fifteen-plus years in the healthcare field as a nurse and over 5 years as a nurse leader, Maureen has amassed valuable insight from her professional growth and patient care and advocacy. She credits her great mentors- a wealth of knowledge and experience, to volunteering to take on something you can learn from, not being afraid to admit you’re scared or don’t know what you’re doing, and building relationships and connections (versus burning bridges).
Listen in as Christina and Maureen talk about a range of topics, from the uniqueness of pediatric care to being an effective leader and keeping track and managing several moving pieces of your work day.
We welcome you to a new episode of Transition Tea with your host, Christina Olivarria, Director of Business Development and Communications at Yellow Brick Consulting, and our special guest, Lori Scott, AVP of Respiratory Care of Loma Linda University Health. Christina and Lori enjoy a cup of refreshing David’s Tea Queen of Tarts, a tart and fruity berry punch flavor with tones of guayusa. Lori is a proud Southern Californian, born and raised in the Coachella Valley. She has always been fascinated with healthcare. When Lori was introduced to Loma Linda in 1981, she was in awe of the hospital and interviewed for “any position” as she told her story. Recently celebrating forty years at the hospital, Lori is still in awe of Loma Linda and loves what she does. When asked what skills are essential to being a great leader, Lori responds straight away, “accountability and adaptability and senior leaders who recognize your skills and talents and provide you with the opportunity to use them.” Listen to Lori’s story, including how she and the Loma Linda team took on the daunting Patient Move to their new modern building in the middle of COVID.
It happens more often than you think. You have a clear, thought-out plan for your career until a life event (or events) shifts your focus in another direction. Join us today at Transition Tea as Jen Prom, our gracious guest, and Yellow Brick’s Director of Communications, Christina Olivarria engage in a fascinating conversation over a cup of Goji Green tea. Jen is a registered nurse and the Activation Planning Manager for Advocate Aurora Health.
With a college degree in Business and a career in IT and Sales, Jen felt lacking in the passion that comes from loving what you do. Then, two life events roused her interest in Nursing, and as the adage goes, “the rest is history.” Tune in as Jen and Christina talk about how Jen applies her takeaways from previous job experiences in patient care and being a nurse leader.
“You never really realize where your path leads until you get there.”
Those are Kate Newcomb-Desanto’s words when Yellow Brick CEO Kelly Guzman asked her to share her fascinating journey from becoming a nurse to starting her consulting firm. With 25 years in the healthcare industry, Kate’s experience and expertise were evident in her work with the team that brought Penn Medicine’s $1.6B, 1.5M-square-foot Pavilion to life. Join Kate and Kelly in this inspiring episode of Transition Tea. Enjoy a cup of tea with us as we savor an irresistible cup of David’s Tea Caramel Shortbread, a heavenly mix of apples, raisins, and brown sugar. Indeed, you can have your tea for dessert!
For this week’s episode of Transition Tea, our CEO, Kelly Guzman, welcomes Deborah Wayne, an exceptional Project Specialist for Yellow Brick and a seasoned Registered Nurse. Over a cup of delightful David’s Tea flavored iced tea with fruits, spices, and beetroot, Kelly asks Debbie how she decided to pursue Nursing as a profession and why she considers it “the best career, ever!” As a nurse leader, Debbie shares her priceless strategies for effecting change management and her advice for nurses looking to amplify their professional development. You don’t want to miss this!
We are thrilled to have Sicy Simoes, Project Manager, Facilities Development and Real Estate at El Camino Health, join Yellow Brick President and Founder Kelly Guzman in our latest episode of Transition Tea. Over a steamy cup of creamy rooibos Alpine Punch tea from David’s Tea, Sicy talks about her passion for working with healthcare facilities to create new or renovated environments. While a non-healthcare construction project aims to deliver a project on time and within budget, a healthcare facility construction project’s end goal goes beyond and is more in tune with what Sicy is looking for in a career—reaping immediate benefits for the end-user while keeping the project on track and within budget brings no greater satisfaction. With a background in engineering technology specializing in construction and an offer from a VP of a healthcare facility to be the in-house owner’s rep, Sicy kickstarted her career in healthcare construction management and hasn’t looked back since. Enjoy the conversation as Sicy and Kelly delve into the skillset necessary to be in the healthcare construction field. Take in Sicy’s thoughtful advice for those contemplating entry to the field, and finally, listen as Sicy shares how engineering/construction management has come a long way, especially for the women in this area of expertise.
Yellow Brick welcomes you to another episode of Transition Tea, where our President and CEO, Kelly Guzman, engages in a refreshing conversation with colleagues in the healthcare realm. Joining Kelly in this episode is Vincent Pena, an accomplished registered nurse, and educator, and a Yellow Brick project specialist and facilitator for Yellow Brick’s Dress Rehearsal and Move Events. While indulging in a heartwarming cup of Hazelnut Chocolate Tea from David’s Tea, Vince looks back on his start as a healthcare professional. He dispenses his nuggets of wisdom on “letting your guard down” and keeping humble to learn something new - asking the questions, engaging with the people you work with, and leveraging technology in your current workplace or adapting to a changed work environment.
We are delighted to have Connie Senner, Director of Design and Construction at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, grace our latest episode of Transition Tea. Over sips of delicious Blueberry Fields Forever from David’s Tea, Connie and Kelly Guzman, Yellow Brick’s President and Founder, talk about Connie’s journey from a cardiovascular surgeon’s office to becoming one of a growing number of select female executives in the construction field. As a non-clinical professional working in a healthcare environment, Connie offers an interesting perspective on her approach to project management and construction (“it’s like planning a wedding”) and change management. Her essential project management tools are indispensable for a smooth and fail-safe Day 1 activation.
Welcome to another episode of Transition Tea, an avenue of conversation with intelligent and inspiring nurse leaders in the Transition and Activation Planning expanse. Yellow Brick President and Founder Kelly Guzman join Stephanie Dremel in a discussion about pursuing a meaningful career that allows a direct connection with people. With that thought and while enjoying a cup of toasty Let It Snow tea from David’s Tea, Steph talks about her decision to pursue nursing. Steph began her career in a Peri-op setting as a pre-op and recovery room nurse leader. Being a nurse leader for nineteen out of her twenty 20 years of Nursing experience and with a Master’s degree in Health Informatics, Steph embarked on another career pursuit in project management, informatics, and clinical expertise consulting in support of healthcare facilities. Listen in and find out how nurses’ skills in handling stress and being good critical thinkers and planners have helped Steph become a successful consultant in the Informatics arena. Steph’s words of wisdom: be open to new ideas, figure out your passion and listen to your inner voice.
We are excited to have Kathyrn Gallagher, Clinical Liaison for the new Pavilion of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, join Kelly Guzman, President, and Founder of Yellow Brick Consulting. In this episode of Transition Tea, Kathryn and Kelly sip the brown sugar sweetness and toasty chestnut flavor of Roasted Chestnut from David’s Tea.
Kathryn has been with Penn Medicine her entire nursing career and has achieved numerous career milestones at the prestigious healthcare organization. One that stands out for us is the opening of the new 1.5 million-square-foot Pavilion, where the Yellow Brick team had the excellent opportunity to work with her. During her conversation with Kelly, Kathryn speaks about what led her to a Nursing education and career, her role as a Clinical Adviser/Liaison, tips on helping end-users acclimate to their new environment (e.g., the staff for their 2-level ED), and the skills needed to become a Clinical Liaison. When asked for her advice to nurses aspiring to become clinical liaisons or contemplating a career in Transition and Activation Planning, Kathryn shares these inspirational words: “Everything we do in life leads us to something else.”
Thank you for stopping by for another episode of Transition Tea. This week, our CEO and Founder, Kelly Guzman, is joined by Erica Dickey, Clinical Practice Education Specialist at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Listen in as Kelly and Erica discuss a wide range of topics as they enjoy a hot cup of apple cider tea inspired by a favorite seasonal beverage.
Belonging to a family of healthcare professionals, Erica had a front-row seat early on that provided an up-close view of the field. While working as a Transition and Activation Planning Project Manager, she learned and understood how to “put the pieces together,” anticipate the needs of her team and hone her skills for her next career moves. Erica touches on what sparked her interest in nursing and talks passionately about her current role as a Clinical Practice Education Specialist. Erica shares sensible tips on working effectively with your team and clients, integrating work and home life, finding the process that works for you, and being more intentional with your time.
Yellow Brick is excited to have Kim Scurr, Vice President for Operations for UCSF Health join Yellow Brick CEO Kelly Guzman in our latest episode of Transition Tea. Kim led the UCSF Mission Bay project in its Transition and Activation efforts culminating in the move across town from the facility in Parnassus to the new campus in Mission Bay. Listen in as Kim shares how she managed this huge project by keeping the focus on patient-centered care, using clear and concise communication, instilling the team spirit, facing and resolving challenges, learning from wonderful mentors, and lastly but certainly not the least - being her authentic self.
For this episode of Transition Tea, we are thrilled to have Kim Roberts, Senior Director of Clinical Services at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, join Kelly Guzman, President & Founder of Yellow Brick Consulting. Over a cup of heartwarming Moringa Mint tea, Kelly and Kim plunge into a refreshing discussion of Kim’s tools and strategies in project management. Kim oversees a wide range of departments at Scripps while in the role of Transition lead for Scripps’ expansion of department workspaces and the construction of new patient towers. With her 30 years of experience, Kim offers valuable advice for those aspiring to or on their way to becoming administrators and project managers for their facilities.
Watch the full video here.
On this episode of Transition Tea, Kelly sits down with Andy Stringfellow, Director of Planning at Keck Medicine of USC, to talk transition over Early Grey tea. During the conversation, the two discuss strategies for navigating the regulatory requirements and governing entities in California related to healthcare facility activation. Andy shares tips about his go-to tools for ensuring all requirements are met and best practices for preparing frontline staff for interactions with surveyors.
Andy has been working in healthcare for many years and, over the last ten years, has been focused on strategic, facility, and program planning for healthcare projects at Keck. His road to transition began in graduate school, where he studied neuropsychology and linguistics, eventually leveraging his research and analytical skills to manage the complexities of healthcare facility planning projects. Over his tenure, he has been instrumental in Keck’s expansion of services across Southern California.
To watch the video click here.
