Registration is Open – Sponsorship is Available! Wednesday, Sept. 16, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Join us for a lunch program at the National Press Club Conference Center featuring a panel program on challenges and opportunities for federal and regional healthcare programs.
Questions?
programs@samedc.org
Facing the Future: Medical Facilities and Infrastructure Investment
Perspectives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, DHA, IHS, Private Sector and the Construction Community
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET
National Press Club Conference Center
Washington, DC
FEATURED PANELISTS
Moderator (and Panelist)
CDR Omobogie Amadasu, P.E., Acting Deputy Director, Office of Facilities, Planning and Construction, Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Indian Health Service
Panelists
- COL Christopher W. Kiss, PhD, AIA, FHFI, PMP, Director, Facilities (FAC) Defense Health Agency
- Mr. Alan R. Zytowski, P.E., Director, East Region Office, Office of Construction and Facilities Management, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Mr. Jake Hambrick, Director of Design & Construction, Universal Health Services, Inc. | UHS of Delaware, Inc.
- Mr. Chris Lukawski, VP of Healthcare, HITT Contracting
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Facing the future for medical facilities and infrastructure investments, philosophies and procurement methods for facility modernization goals. Panelists will share perspectives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, DHA, IHS, the private sector and the construction community.
Discussion Topics / Learning Objectives:
- Workplace — Examine the new big picture for workplace strategy, including whether the mission has changed, the role of resilience in planning, construction and O&M, and the balance between enterprise-wide changes and regional focus.
- Workforce — Assess the impact of recent personnel losses, the potential role of owner’s representatives for USG, and future critical skills needs, including emerging tools such as Copilot and GIS.
- Budget and Funding — Review approaches to successful master planning, budget execution, and the effects of Congressional and DOW budget pressures.
- Successful Bidding — Evaluate construction industry interests and bidding strategies, including bundling or larger single acquisitions to attract bidder interest, the effectiveness of MATOCs at regional versus national scale, and expanded use of small business at the regional level.
- Project Execution — Identify current execution challenges, including DOW OTAs and Progressive Design-Build mandates.
- Future Needs — Consider the case for further studies, lessons learned from private-sector healthcare, and opportunities for cross-sector learning.
AGENDA
11:15 a.m. – Check-in and informal networking
12:00 p.m. – Welcome & Introductions followed by plated lunch
12:45 p.m. – Panel presentation followed by Q&A
3:00 p.m. – Event concludes
TICKETS
- $135 – Member (SAME and AMFP, any chapter/Post or Chapter) Industry
- $155 – Non-Member Industry
- $75 – Government / Fully Retired
- $175 – Late Registration (begins on Friday, Sept. 11 at 3 pm ET)
- $300 Sponsor (includes one ticket; ends on Friday, Sept. 11 at 3 pm ET)
Sponsors, please send your logo to: programs@samedc.org
WHO QUALIFIES FOR EACH TICKET TYPE
SAME / AMFP Member Rate
Available to individuals with an active membership in the Society of American Military Engineers or the Association of Medical Facilities Professional. Current members from any Post or Chapter may register at the member rate.
Non-Member Rate
Available to individuals who are not currently active SAME or AMFP members.
Interested in becoming a member? Visit same.org to learn more about SAME membership. Visit amfp.org to learn more about AMFP membership.
Government / Fully Retired Rate
Available to current federal, state, or local government employees and active-duty military personnel attending in their official or professional capacity. Please use your .gov or .mil or agency email address when registering. Government contractors and non-profit organization attendees should use the applicable Industry rate ticket to register. Fully retired means that you are not consulting or representing any agency or industry including your self-owned business. Please put “Retired” as your company during registration.
LOCATION & MEAL OPTIONS
The event will be held at the National Press Club Conference Center and includes a plated lunch with coffee, tea, water and dessert. Attendees select one of the following entrees at registration:
- Leek-Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast (default or late registration)
With red pepper sauce, potatoes and chickpea Swiss chard sauté - Roasted Acorn Squash (gluten-free, nut-free, vegan) With wild rice, quinoa, apricots, sautéed greens and apple cider reduction
BUILDING ACCESS
The National Press Club is a secure facility. Entry to the conference center requires a QR code, which will be sent from programs@samedc.org approximately 48 hours prior to the event.
DRESS CODE
Gentlemen and ladies should wear business casual attire. Short-sleeved uniform or a uniform not requiring a coat or tie may be worn at the meeting when it is the prescribed uniform of the day by the respective military service.
Business cards are welcome.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Street parking is limited near the National Press Club. Nearby paid garages are available; attendees are encouraged to plan for downtown DC parking rates or to use Metro (Metro Center station (BL/OR/SV) is a short walk away). Valet parking is available at nearby venues, including the Willard Hotel or the JW Marriott.
REFUNDS AND TRANSFERS
Because this event is held in a secure facility and attendees receive a pre-event opt-in attendee list once the transfer deadline closes, on-site transfers cannot be accommodated. Late registration (starting on Friday, Sept. 11 at 3 pm ET) is available unless the event reaches capacity. Refund requests must be received no later than five days prior to the event (Friday, Sept. 11 at 3 pm ET) ; full registration fees will be refunded with no fees deducted. Transfers may be accepted up to one time, until three days before the event (Monday, Sept. 14 at 12 pm/noon ET). Send all refund or transfer requests to: programs@samedc.org
DOCUMENT DELIVERY
All attendees will receive a copy of the opt-in attendee list, presentation slides, executive summary* of the program and outcomes, and a 2-PDH continuing education certificate provided by the SAME DC Post. Not all jurisdictions or programs accept PDHs for continuing education; attendees should confirm acceptance with their licensing board or program.
*Chatham House Rule
This panel will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule. Attendees are free to use information shared during the discussion, but may not attribute comments to any individual speaker or their organization. This allows panelists to speak candidly about procurement challenges, budget pressures and lessons learned without their remarks being tied to official agency positions. The executive summary will share public information or generalize outcomes to support non-attribution.
SPEAKER & PROGRAM DISCLAIMER
Program topics, panelists, speakers, and agenda details are subject to change based on availability, mission requirements, and other circumstances. We may substitute speakers or adjust the program agenda or schedule as necessary while maintaining the overall educational objectives of the event.
A NOTE ABOUT ZEFFY
Registration is processed through Zeffy, which allows SAME DC Post to accept payments with no platform fees. At checkout, Zeffy will prompt for an optional donation to support its platform. This is optional: attendees can adjust the amount to $0 before completing registration.
QUESTIONS
Please contact us at programs@samedc.org for registration, event inquiries, or to request refunds or transfers for this event.