The Health Care Institute (HCI), an IFMA Alliance Partner, has expanded its role on the world stage at it has been officially accepted as the exclusive United States “A” member by the prestigious International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE).

Leo Gehring, HCI President, accepted induction into IFHE at the recent IFHE Congress in Buenos Aires.  The purpose of IFHE is to facilitate exchange of information and experience in the broad field of hospital and healthcare facility design, construction, engineering, commissioning, maintenance, and estate management.  Only one organization per country whose constitution and objectives are similar to IFHE is allowed designation as an “A” member. 

“IFHE is an ideal fit for HCI as one of our missions is to further our educational and research programs with the international community. We also hope to bring IFHE members to the U.S. by hosting a future Council Meeting and International IFHE Congress meeting,” said Gehring.

Mission of IFHE encompasses

· Promoting, developing and disseminating hospital engineering technology;

· Comparing international experiences;

· Promoting integrated planning, design and evaluation by improved collaboration between the professions;

· Promoting more efficient management of operation, maintenance and safety of hospitals, their engineering, installations, equipment and buildings;

· Collaboration

HCI has been on a growth curve.  Earlier this year it expanded its leadership team by expanding its Board of Directors to include professionals from the higher education sector.  HCI also has been assertive in insuring that high caliber educational programs are delivered to the healthcare industry.  It has partnered with the Corporate Realty, Design & Management Institute on a multi-city seminar series that has brought programs to more than 20 metro areas, and provides speakers at multiple national conferences.  HCI also has sponsored several research programs.

HCI’s predecessor, the IFMA Healthcare Council, was creator of the Green Patient Lab, which was viewed by more than 75,000 people in 14 different venues in North America.  A nationwide educational seminar series has traveled to 25 different cities (some multiple times) resulting in a forum where facilities managers can problem solve with healthcare architects, designers, engineers, contractors and administrators.

For more information about HCI, visit the organization’s website:  http://hci.ifma.org

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 22,000 members in 78 countries. The association’s members manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition.