June 22, 2023

Lately I seem to receive a retirement notice almost every week. Or, in more upsetting cases I receive word that industry leaders I met when I first became aware of the Symposium in the mid 90’s have passed away. Just this spring alone we lost Robin Guenther and Derek Parker.

On the flip side, every advisory board meeting we’ve held in the past two years we end up in conversation about the dearth of up-and-coming talent.  Conversations range from how folks are recruiting, training and of course keeping emerging leaders within their organizations.  Actually, these conversations started before COVID and of course since then have reached a frenetic pace.

During this time, the advisory board members within their respective organizations and project teams have been identifying emerging leaders and inviting them as their guest to attend the annual Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.  We’ve welcomed them to the Symposium community, and also listened to their feedback on what they want to get out of attending an annual event. Last year in Long Beach, we had a couple of tables set aside at the opening breakfast for any emerging leader who were attending that wanted to meet each other, and also meet a couple of our board members who could help guide their experience. Those tables were overflowing, and we needed more seats which was a great problem to have and lead us to take the next step forward in 2023.

Earlier this month we launched the Symposium Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, which is aimed at giving recognition to those individuals with less than 10 years (nonconsecutive) of experience in healthcare design and construction including research and/or education. The recognition includes attending the 2023 HFSE in Charlotte, North Carolina September 19-21 and participating in all activities surrounding the event.

We are very excited to start receiving submissions and selecting the first class of recipients.  Our hope is this is the beginning of fostering the next generation of leaders who will take the Symposium forward for another 36 years.  To learn more about the program please click here and be sure to share it with the leadership in your organization and the emerging leaders you know.

Be well,
Jenabeth

Jenabeth Ferguson
Vice President, Symposium Director
Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo

P.S. Have a thought about the Symposium? Please feel free to contact me at any time at [email protected].