NIHD members are doing incredible work. The goal of our Member Spotlight series is to share the work and contributions of our members in the healthcare built environment.

In early 2020, Debbie Gregory DNP, RN (Senior Clinical Consultant, SSR) and Zac Hillyard (Dallas Client Relationship Manager, SSR) launched Tech Vitals, a podcast hosted by Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR). As healthcare is changing, it’s important for technology and care delivery to align.

How does one blend the built environment with fundamental human interaction needs? Tech Vitals is a discussion of that question.

This podcast explores how to mix the human interaction perspective and the technical perspective to build the “future roadmap” for health. Digital transformation, device integration, artificial intelligence, consumer driven care and nursing innovation are just a few of the topics discussed this past year. Most recently, Tech Vitals feature Dr. Oriana Beaudet, VP of Innovation at the American Nurses Association to celebrate nursing innovation and national nurses month. Check out the TechVitals Podcast.

DEBBIE GREGORY, DNP, RN

NIHD Founder

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ZAC HILLYARD

NIHD Member since 2019

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NIHD collaborates with clinicians, design professionals, academics and industry partners in the healthcare design process to shape the future of healthcare design.

Sep 24, 2025

Are ASC’s Designed for A New Era of Ambulatory Surgery?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is gradually eliminating the Inpatient Only (IPO) List over the next three years. This change will allow more surgeries to be performed at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) instead of requiring hospital stays. As a result, patients may experience lower costs and more convenient access to care. What do you see as some of the biggest design and operational challenges with this change?