CHOOSE SITE
Sun Oct 189:45 AM – 10:45 AM

E04 – From Big Box to Better Care: Adaptive Reuse as a Healthcare Strategy

Educational SessionProject Planning & Delivery

What do an abandoned hospital, a Western store, a 1970s Safeway turned Rite-Aid, and a Chuck-E-Cheese have in common? Today, they all provide state-of-the-art patient care. This session highlights Ochsner Health’s commitment to adaptive reuse in north Louisiana, where transforming existing buildings into healthcare clinics has become a strategic approach to expanding access. Rather than building new, Ochsner identifies underutilized structures in established communities, bringing care closer to patients while reinvesting in neighborhoods that need it most. But adaptive reuse for healthcare isn’t just about saving money or accelerating timelines. It’s about seeing potential where others see blight and recognizing that a building’s past life doesn’t limit its future. From a million-square-foot former hospital to a 25,000-square-foot retail conversion, each project presents unique design challenges that require flexibility, creativity, and close collaboration with operations. Attendees will explore how adaptive reuse can serve as both a financial strategy and a community investment. 

Speakers

Angelle Lavergne Terry
Angelle Lavergne TerryPartner, Architect, WHLC Architecture
Emily Prince
Emily PrinceManager - FF&E, Facilities Development, Ochsner Health
Krystal Atkins
Krystal AtkinsDirector of Healthcare Real Estate and Property Services, Stirling Properties/Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana

More Information

AIA Forums Track:Yes
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Clinical Track:No
Facilities and Project Management Track:Yes