ABOUT THE PROGRAM: 

New Healthcare Building Cx Journey at MD Anderson

Over the past two decades, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center has expanded its campus by approximately 5 million square feet, combining new facilities in the Texas Medical Center and clinical spaces across the greater Houston area, known as Houston Area Locations (HAL). These new facilities include healthcare buildings, clinical offices, and research centers. We are now entering a pivotal phase of campus
development and expansion, marked by several major healthcare facilities being constructed as part of our Blueprint for Impact, a strategic initiative designed to advance the next era of cancer care. Starting the past capital projects and continuing into our newest facilities, we have seen a growing demand to ensure the highest quality in healthcare building delivery. Healthcare environments must elevate the patient experience, improve clinical operational efficiency, meet regulatory requirements, optimize facility operations, and support energy efficiency and sustainability. Guided by these stringent expectations, and supported by two decades of experience, we have been initiating, implementing, and continuously advancing our New Building Commissioning (Cx) Program since its inception. Throughout the capital project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and activation, Cx process plays a critical role in ensuring that the healthcare facilities meet the quality standards to our mission. This presentation will outline our Cx Program, including the requirements established by our Owner Design Guidelines (ODG), enhanced specifications, and the engagement of both Commissioning Authorities (CxA) and inhouse teams. We will share the team structure and the full Cx roadmap, from the Cx Plan to scheduling coordination, system and equipment list for Cx, from installation verification to FPT, and IST. Key tools such as the equipment matrix, BAS millstones, EOC compliance dashboard, smart building and FDD, and the Cx Issues Log (CxIL) will be highlighted, along with the major steps leading up to substantial completion. We will also present our best practice and lessons learned. The Cx Program is
designed to aim that healthcare buildings are prepared for Day One operations. In addition, we will share several case studies that illustrate the application and impact of our Cx implementations.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Yeqiao Zhu, PE, PhD, MBA, SASHE

Dr. Zhu has over 26 years of professional experience with healthcare facilities in engineering, capital project design management, operations management, infrastructure master planning, compliance and accreditation, new building commissioning (Cx), energy management, and project management. His career includes roles as a Manager and Chief Cx Engineer for a fortune 500 company, Sr. Engineer for a healthcare design firm, Engineering Manager, Director of Facility Properties, Assistant Director of O&M, and Sr. Facilities Project Manager-Engineering for UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Currently, Dr. Zhu leads engineering support for major healthcare projects from design and construction to Cx, including three large healthcare capital projects totaling more than $6 billion in TPC. As a SASHE member, he co-authored the Handbook of ASHE Health Facility Commissioning and has served on the ASHE Cx advisory committee, as a TAHFM regional rep, and HAAHE president (2012 to 2013 term).

Joanne Kwok, PE, PhD

Joanne Kwok, P.E. is a Texas licensed Mechanical Engineer with over 18 years of professional experience in retro-commissioning, energy audit, energy management, and engineering. Currently, Joanne is an Energy Consultant at the UT MD Anderson, leading the development of the in-house commissioning program. She routinely reviews and coordinates updates to the UT MD Anderson commissioning specifications and guidelines. She uses her expertise to support Cx efforts to enhance energy codes/guideline/specifications compliance and Cx best practice implementation on the UT MD Anderson new construction and large renovation projects. 

Josh Barnhart, CxA, CEM, EMP

Josh Barnhart leads the Houston commissioning group at EAB, bringing over two decades of experience in building automation systems, energy management, and commissioning across laboratory, healthcare, and institutional environments. Since 1999, he has specialized in the testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of complex BAS, mechanical and electrical systems that support central plants, hospitals, and research facilities. With more than 14 years at EAB, Josh has managed the commissioning of millions of square feet of vivarium, laboratory, and healthcare space and has played a key role in developing commissioning processes and documentation for a wide range of systems. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Houston and maintains multiple industry certifications, including AABC Certified Test and Balance Technician, Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), and Certified Energy Management Professional (EMP), reflecting his commitment to technical excellence and leadership in the field.

Tickets

$0.00 Member Ticket

$50.00 Guest Ticket

$500.00 Luncheon Sponsorship/Exhibitor Table