Planning a medical facility or ambulatory surgery center isn’t just about picking a floor plan—it’s about orchestrating a complex collaboration between healthcare providers, architects, and contractors to avoid costly mistakes down the road. In this episode, we’re joined by Steve Christoff, Senior Vice President of Design and Innovation at Nexcore, who brings decades of experience designing outpatient centers that actually work for the people using them.

Steve breaks down why the most successful medical facilities start with a clear understanding of desired outcomes. What are you really trying to achieve? Once you answer that question, everything else—from layout to workflow to technology integration—falls into place. But here’s the catch: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Steve explains why cookie-cutter designs often miss the mark, and how tailoring facilities to the unique needs of each healthcare provider and patient population leads to better outcomes and greater efficiency.

We also explore the importance of thinking ahead. Healthcare is rapidly shifting from inpatient to outpatient settings, and your facility needs to evolve with it. Steve discusses how smart design creates flexible spaces that can adapt to future clinical innovations without requiring expensive renovations. Throughout the conversation, we dive into key performance indicators that separate truly effective facilities from those that just look good on paper.

If you’re planning a medical facility or simply want to understand what separates great healthcare spaces from mediocre ones, this episode reveals the strategic thinking that drives real results.