Micro Hospitals, Macro Impact: Leading Change in Construction for Rural Healthcare

Summary 

In this episode of Activating Curiosity | Leading Change in the Construction Industry, Ryan Ware explores how micro hospitals are expanding access to healthcare in rural communities—and what this shift reveals about leading change in complex construction environments.

Ryan is joined by Peter Nicholson, Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Clinical Planning, for an insightful conversation focused on healthcare infrastructure, construction leadership development, and construction innovation. Together, they discuss best practices in construction change management, including standardized design, modular construction, and technology-enabled planning, showcasing how these approaches reduce costs, accelerate delivery, and effectively scale facilities in resource-constrained rural settings.

The discussion also highlights key leadership behaviors necessary for managing change resistance and guiding teams through uncertainty in the AEC industry. Listeners will gain valuable insights on construction change management best practices, leadership for change in healthcare projects, and the broader impact of construction leadership on community health, talent attraction, and operational resilience.

Whether you’re a construction executive, project manager, or change coach within the AEC industry, this episode offers actionable perspectives on leading change with clarity, curiosity, and purpose, helping you master the complexities of construction leadership and industry challenges.

Chapters

01:17 – Framing the Rural Healthcare Access Problem
03:44 – Hospitals as Products, Not One-Off Projects
07:45 – Accessibility, Affordability, and Smart Technology
11:09 – A New Delivery Model for Rural Healthcare Construction
18:27 – Capital, Mindset, and Resistance to Change
51:39 – Redefining Success: Wellness Over Profit

Guest

Peter Nicholson is a healthcare planner with over 35 years of experience designing and delivering hospitals and life science facilities worldwide. He specializes in integrating advanced medical technologies and has led projects for Harvard teaching hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and other global healthcare systems. He is currently the CEO of a startup offering pre-designed, fully equipped micro hospitals as a scalable product to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare delivery. 

https://www.modernclinicalplanning.com/

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Connective Consulting Group
Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity.

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