Chris Talbert
Senior Vice PresidentWSPChris Talbert, PE is Senior Vice President and Regional Director of High-Performance Design at WSP. Based in the Nashville, Tennessee area, he works in operational resilience, particularly related to healthcare facilities.
Prior to joining WSP in January of 2025, Chris served for over ten years as AVP of Capital Delivery and Engineering Services at HCA Healthcare, where he oversaw the capital infrastructure reinvestment program for more than 180 acute care hospitals and was heavily involved in disaster response for hospital buildings and essential systems. His team developed and implemented enterprise-wide strategies related to sustainability, maintenance, and mitigating operational risk.
E43 – Power to Recover: A Conscious Design Framework for Resilient and Sustainable Healthcare Infrastructure
In today’s healthcare sector, infrastructure must transcend basic clinical support to actively foster resilience and sustainability. A mindful design …In today’s healthcare sector, infrastructure must transcend basic clinical support to actively foster resilience and sustainability. A mindful design approach brings together clinical priorities with the practical realities of power, water, and therm…In today’s healthcare sector, infrastructure must transcend basic clinical support to actively foster resilience and sustainability. A mindful design approach brings together clinical priorities with the practical realities of power, water, and thermal supply, establishing a robust framework that prepares hospitals for everyday efficiency and rapid response in emergencies. Electrification plays a role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting d…In today’s healthcare sector, infrastructure must transcend basic clinical support to actively foster resilience and sustainability. A mindful design approach brings together clinical priorities with the practical realities of power, water, and thermal supply, establishing a robust framework that prepares hospitals for everyday efficiency and rapid response in emergencies. Electrification plays a role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting decarbonization goals, but true resiliency depends on more than just energy transitions. Case studies from the Indiana University Health program showcase how modular layouts for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with adaptable emergency operating modes, can be seamlessly integrated into healthcare spaces. These flexible designs enable facilities to quickly adapt during pandemics or disruptions and efficiently recover after crises. Modularity allows hospitals to isolate, repurpose, or reconfigure areas as needed, without sacrificing clinical effectiveness. Water is elevated as a critical utility within this framework. Projects in California, such as Riverside and Good Samaritan, illustrate advancements in water resiliency, including emergency storage, protected booster and treatment systems, and department-specific isolation. These provisions ensure essential services—like operating rooms and dialysis—remain operational even during water outages, preserving patient care and infection control. Controls unite these elements to respond dynamically to conditions while maintaining operational stability. Ultimately, resilient hospitals use fewer resources and recover more rapidly from adverse events, demonstrating that sustainability and resilience are mutually reinforcing goals.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
E80 – A Practical Framework for Disaster Preparedness
As extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, and cyber threats increase in frequency and severity, healthcare facilities must rethink how they …As extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, and cyber threats increase in frequency and severity, healthcare facilities must rethink how they assess, design for, and manage risk. This session presents a practical framework for strategic facil…As extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, and cyber threats increase in frequency and severity, healthcare facilities must rethink how they assess, design for, and manage risk. This session presents a practical framework for strategic facility risk mitigation-moving beyond emergency response toward proactive resilience planning. Drawing on real-world experience, the talk explores how to understand the full risk picture facing hospitals,…As extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, and cyber threats increase in frequency and severity, healthcare facilities must rethink how they assess, design for, and manage risk. This session presents a practical framework for strategic facility risk mitigation-moving beyond emergency response toward proactive resilience planning. Drawing on real-world experience, the talk explores how to understand the full risk picture facing hospitals, from climate-driven hazards and utility disruptions to internal system vulnerabilities. Attendees will learn how thoughtful design, redundancy, maintenance practices, and facility hardening can reduce exposure; how evolving insurance models are reshaping risk decisions; and how detailed emergency planning minimizes operational and patient-care impacts when disruptions occur. The session emphasizes actionable strategies that support continuity of care, protect critical infrastructure, and position healthcare organizations to recover faster when-not if-disasters happen.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More