As
director of transition planning, what is your job?
I coordinate and oversee all of the activities necessary from
the construction of the hospital to its occupancy. Although
I’m key to driving the transition, it is really a team
effort of many committees. Actually, it is a team effort of
everyone, since the move affects every employee.
What
does this entail?
Tracking all of the activities that will ultimately result
in a functioning hospital. This includes “fit-up”
(or deployment) of medical equipment, information technology
equipment such as computers and servers, furniture, installation
of imaging equipment, the licensing process and training and
orienting the staff to the new facilities.
I also
directed the development and implementation of various hospital-wide
systems such as food service, security and communications
needs.
What
attracted you to this position?
Before the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was designed,
I was already working as principal project manager for the
UCLA Health Sciences Capital Projects. I managed and oversaw
the design and construction of the hospital project, helping
to resolve complex design and construction-related issues.
I made sure that all departmental needs were understood by
the architects and were carried out through the construction.
All aspects of the design and construction of a new building
need careful monitoring to ensure that when it is finished,
the building looks like and functions as planned.
For me,
it was a seamless and natural progression to move from design
and construction to transition planning.
What
inspired you to become an architect?
My fascination with buildings began when I was a child and
it hasn’t stopped. Architecture bridges the past to
the present and helps bring history alive. Buildings let me
experience what others throughout the ages have experienced.
For example, when I visit an ancient Greek temple, I am seeing
what others from thousands of years ago saw and can imagine
the activity, the people and the culture.
When
I became a licensed architect, I joined a firm that specialized
in designing jails and prisons. It was there that I started
to appreciate how the built environment defines how we live
and work, and influences our identities.
How
did your previous position prepare you for this hospital project?
I must admit, I prefer designing hospitals. Hospitals are
like little cities that never shut down. I love to help people
and it is gratifying to be a part of a project that is both
an architectural and healthcare milestone. As a native Los
Angeleno, I’m particularly proud that this is happening
in Los Angeles.
If
you ever have any spare time, how do you like to spend it?
I actually enjoy working almost 100 percent of the time. I’m
also a licensed real estate broker and I watch and invest
in the real estate market. Currently, I’m restoring
an old Hollywood-era home.
To really
relax, I love to travel. I find that every place has something
unique to offer — Europe, Latin America, Africa, the
United States. I plan to visit Asia sometime, beginning with
Hong Kong.
But,
until we all move, the hospital is my life.
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