This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.

Note: If you are a registrant of the in-person (May 14) portion of the 2026 ACHE East-North-Midwest Texas Multi-Chapter Education Symposium, you are eligible to purchase your ticket for the below referenced virtual panel at a 25% discount. The promo code for that discount is provided to you in your confirmation email from Eventbrite for the May 14 event.

Evidence-based design (EBD) incorporates the process of basing decisions about healthcare facility environments on creditable research to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient. Historically, many healthcare facilities have been designed primarily around the provider’s processes. However, the facility design did not always produce efficient or effective workflow for the provider nor did the design incorporate the best interests of the patient. With the advancements in technology, healthcare providers are finding out that there are proven, efficient and effective strategies to achieve more desirable outcomes that are in the best interest of the patient. Implementing EBD principles can sometimes be a difficult decision for the provider with the concern that it may increase their costs. The key to overcoming this concern is to educate healthcare facility decisionmakers about the types of research that are available to quantify the long-term value of EBD. Since the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) requires conscientious and committed use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of patients it is paramount there be an alignment between EBD and EBM to provide more efficient and high-quality healthcare delivery.

Moderator: Phil DeBruzzi, Principal, Forvis Mazars

Panelists:
Nick Mengucci, Executive Director, IMH Healthcare
Graham Torres, Vice President Operations, Children’s Health
Chris Grossnicklaus, Health Sector Leader and Director of Healthcare Planning, Corgan

Speakers’ Bios:

Phil DeBruzzi, FACHE, is a Principal with the national healthcare consulting firm Forvis Mazars. Mr. DeBruzzi has 30 years of experience advising healthcare systems in areas related to clinical volume forecasting, capacity optimization, health facility network planning, and capital investment analysis. Phil is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Board Member of the North Texas Chapter of ACHE, holds an MBA in strategy, and undergraduate degree in Engineering.

Chris Grossnicklaus is Health Sector Leader and Director of Healthcare Planning for Corgan. He is responsible for establishing long-lasting relationships with clients and partners as well as leading Corgan’s health studios across the country. He has deep experience in all phases of project work, from concept visioning and development through final construction documents on a wide range of project experience in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.

His strengths as a strategist and relationship builder make him an invaluable leader of the Corgan’s Health Sector, overseeing projects for UT Southwestern Medical Center, Methodist Health System, OSF Healthcare, HCA Healthcare Behavioral Health Hospitals, Saint Francis Health System, Houston Methodist, the Mayo Clinic, and UCLA Health.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University and is Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. He served as chair of the communications committee for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) of North Texas from 2019 to 2020; he received the Texas Society of Architects Associate Award and the AIA Dallas Associate Award for his contributions as editor of AIA Dallas Columns magazine.

Nick Mengucci, MSN, RN, LSSGB is an Austin based Master’s-prepared Registered Nurse and Executive Director & Texas Market Leader at IMH Healthcare. He partners with health systems across the country, from large academic medical centers to community-based providers, to support healthcare strategy, operational planning, and facility transition and activation.

Nick specializes in readiness planning, workflow optimization, staff training, technology integration, and move activation, helping organizations prepare new facilities, teams, and operations for opening day and beyond. With a foundation in patient care, clinical operations, and healthcare technology, he brings a human-centered approach that blends clinical expertise with strategic leadership to improve efficiency, performance, and patient outcomes.

Nick is actively involved in the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD), the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and the Association for Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP).