R01 – Building Together: How OAC Partnerships and Real-Time Problem-Solving Drive Complex Healthcare Projects
Currently under construction, the Adams Neurosciences Center on Yale New Haven Health’s Saint Raphael Campus is the largest healthcare project in Connecticut’s history. This session examines how collaboration and communication strategies are driving success during this complex build.
With a workshop-style session, participants will explore and role-play how the team manages design changes during construction, coordinates technical requirements to ensure compliance, and integrates critical building features through strong Owner/Architect/Contractor (OAC) partnerships. Situational examples will show how we go beyond formal meetings, informal practices—such as coffee walks through the site—have fostered trust and accelerated problem-solving.
Attendees will also learn how clinical feedback informs design refinements, such as lighting conditions in radiology spaces, to optimize workflow and patient experience. Through lessons from this landmark project, participants will gain insights into balancing technical precision with human-centered collaboration to deliver healthcare environments that anticipate future success.
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