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LIVE from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026
In this special episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider takes you inside the PDC Summit—one of the rare events where the full spectrum of healthcare decision-makers comes together under one roof. Recorded live from the show floor, this episode captures an unfiltered look at the real conversations unfolding between owners, clinicians, facilities leaders, architects, engineers, designers, and construction managers.
Featuring voices like Clayton Mitchell (Yale New Haven Health), the award-winning Dr. Scott Zeller, Kelly Miller (RWJ Barnabas Health), Ed Cheshire (Nationwide Children’s Hospital), and Lynn Aguilera (Stanford Medicine Children’s Health), this episode dives into what leaders are truly grappling with right now—from funding pressures and ROI to communication breakdowns and what happens after a project is complete.
Because today’s biggest challenges in healthcare design aren’t just about space.
They’re about how decisions are made, and what it takes to make them better.
After listening, you'll be able to:
Understand how healthcare owners evaluate projects, from funding constraints to long-term ROI
Recognize the communication gaps between design teams and decision-makers and how to close them
Rethink the role of architects and designers beyond project delivery to long-term performance
Identify where misalignment early in the process creates costly downstream challenges
Apply real-world insights from healthcare leaders to strengthen collaboration and outcomes
Links Mentioned:
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Design Nerds Anonymous is a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode of Design Nerds Anonymous was produced and edited by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP, with music from Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to the podcast production team: Hannah Viti, Rob Schulte, and Rachel Senatore.
Special thanks to The PDC Healthcare Summit for hosting us!
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