Meeting/Event Information

Open to NESHS members AND non-members!!

100% Built for Kids: Inside the Strategy, Planning and Launch of a Pediatric Tower

Date/time: June 18, 2026, 12-1pm, virtual via Zoom

Registration Fee:  FREE to members and $15.00 for non-members 

Speakers:  Connecticut Children's leadership team

Webinar Topic: 

This session offers an inside look at the end-to-end strategy, planning, and launch of a pediatric patient tower—designed 100% for kids and families. Leaders from strategy, design & construction, clinical operations, and marketing & communications at Connecticut Children’s will share how a long-range growth plan and prioritized service lines translated into a compelling business case and proforma. They will also explore how cross-functional collaboration with architects, designers, construction partners, city stakeholders, and family advisors shaped a patient-centered design. Innovative approaches—including mock clinical environments and integrated workforce planning—helped ensure operational readiness. The presentation will also highlight the power of early, coordinated internal and external communications, culminating in a successful public launch that brought the tower to life for patients, families, donors and the community.

Speaker Bios:

Janeille Ervin, MBA, FACHE. Senior Director, Strategy, Partnerships, and Business Development, Connecticut Children’s

Janeille is a healthcare leader with over a decade of experience in enterprise strategy, business development, and partnerships across adult and pediatric health systems. At Connecticut Children’s, she leads enterprise strategic growth initiatives focused on market expansion, access, and long-term organizational sustainability. Since joining in 2018, she has supported several transformative initiatives, including a major hospital expansion, development of a regional pediatric hub, and strategic partnerships that have significantly expanded patient access and system growth. She oversees Physician Relations and Strategy and works closely with executive and clinical leadership to advance organizational priorities. Janeille holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Reaghan Schicker, AIA, MBA, ACHA, Director of Planning, Design & Construction, Connecticut Children’s

Reaghan Schicker has dedicated her career to transforming healthcare environments into spaces that heal, inspire, and support the patient journey. As Director of Planning, Design, and Construction at Connecticut Children’s, she leads a dynamic team responsible for space planning, wayfinding, renovations, and new construction across the system. Her leadership has been pivotal in shaping projects that directly enhance patient care, including the award-winning Medical Psychiatric Unit, the Farmington Infusion Center, and most recently, a 193,000-square-foot patient tower that will expand critical services and redefine pediatric care in Connecticut. A licensed architect with master’s degrees in Architecture and Business Administration, Reaghan is Lean Healthcare certified and a member of the American College of Healthcare Architects.

Shannon Grad, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Senior Director of Clinical Design & Care Delivery, Connecticut Children’s

 Shannon Grad is a strategic healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing clinical operations, innovation, and patient-centered care. As Senior Director of Clinical Design & Care Delivery at Connecticut Children’s, she leads clinical design and operational strategy for the organization’s patient tower expansion. Known for her collaborative and forward-thinking approach, Shannon drives transformative improvements in care delivery while fostering a culture of excellence for patients, families, and care teams.

Deb Pappas, MBA, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Connecticut Children’s

 Deb Pappas is a strategic healthcare marketing executive who excels at translating growth strategy into high-impact brand, communications, and patient acquisition initiatives that strengthen reputation and drive organizational expansion. As Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Connecticut Children’s, Deb leads strategic marketing, communications, and brand development initiatives in support of geographic expansion and growth, aligning with the organization's vision of transforming children's health and well-being. Deb has spent the last 17 years in healthcare, previously holding senior leadership positions at Boston Children's Hospital and UMass Memorial Health.

About Connecticut Children’s

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 30+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family’s wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children’s, you can expect care beyond imagination.

This event is open to both members and non-members! Please share details with anyone in your network who may be interested.

This webinar has been approved for 1.0 hours of ACHE Qualifying Education Credit

The program being presented by the CT Association of Healthcare Executives, (NESHS June 2026 Webinar: 100% Built for Kids: Inside the Strategy, Planning and Launch of a Pediatric Patient Tower - presented by Connecticut Children's leadership) has been approved by the American College of Healthcare Executives for 1.0 hours of ACHE Qualifying Education credit.

As an independent chartered chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the CT Association of Healthcare Executives, is authorized to award 1.0 hours of ACHE Qualifying Education credits toward advancement or recertification in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Participants in this program who wish to have it considered for ACHE Qualifying Education credit should list their attendance when they apply to the American College of Healthcare Executives for advancement or recertification. Attendees will need to self-report their credits using link titled “My Education Credit” on their myACHE profile page.