We Need Healthcare Space Faster — But Are We Building It the Wrong Way? – Episode 155 with Eric Waller
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Eric Waller of VitalSpace for a fascinating look at how modular construction is changing the way healthcare environments are designed and delivered. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in healthcare operations, facilities, and construction strategy, Eric shares why speed, safety, and the human experience don’t have to be competing priorities.
The conversation explores the unique challenges of healthcare construction, from infection control and patient privacy to durability, caregiver workflow, and behavioral health. Joe and Eric discuss how moving construction offsite can reduce disruption inside active healthcare facilities while delivering purpose-built spaces faster and with greater predictability.
Joe and Eric also dig into daylighting, biophilic design, acoustics, resilience, and the importance of creating healthcare spaces that feel therapeutic rather than institutional. Ultimately, Eric makes the case for healthcare environments that support the people inside them, adapt to changing needs, and improve outcomes for patients and caregivers alike.
Want to continue the conversation with Eric and the VitalSpace team? They’ll be exhibiting at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, September 27–30 in Charlotte, NC, followed by the Healthcare Design Conference, October 17–20 in New Orleans, LA.
It’s a thought-provoking look at why building healthcare faster doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the things that make healthcare environments better for the humans who depend on them.
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More About Eric Waller
Eric Waller is dedicated to building meaningful partnerships within the healthcare industry and advancing modular, patient-centered solutions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and innovation. With more than 29 years of experience spanning healthcare facilities management, construction, regulatory compliance, and emergency services, he brings a disciplined blend of strategic insight and operational execution to strengthen clinical environments and support sustainable growth. Eric currently serves CareAffirm, where he is focused on the development and expansion of healthcare modular solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of medical, mental health, and behavioral health environments. His work centers on aligning design, compliance, and operational performance to deliver adaptable, high-quality care settings that improve outcomes for patients, staff, and health systems alike. Previously, Eric spent more than a decade in executive and senior leadership roles with Medxcel/Ascension, including Vice President of Support Services, Area Vice President, and Regional Director. In these positions, he led large-scale operational strategies across national hospital portfolios, negotiated enterprise service contracts, oversaw multimillion-dollar capital programs, and advanced compliance initiatives aligned with Joint Commission and DNV standards. His leadership consistently emphasized lifecycle optimization, customer experience, and the creation of resilient, future-ready healthcare infrastructure. Eric holds an MBA from Purdue University and is completing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategy and Innovation. His professional credentials and continued academic focus reflect a long-standing commitment to excellence in healthcare infrastructure, safety, and system-level innovation. Across every role, Eric is guided by the belief that strong partnerships, deep healthcare expertise, and intentional collaboration are essential to delivering meaningful and lasting impact. He is passionate about helping organizations design, build, and maintain environments that support exceptional care delivery while advancing innovation across the healthcare ecosystem.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjwaller/
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