This text is one in a collection of conversations with ladies leaders within the development business. Click on right here for previous discussions.

In her 26 years within the development business, Lucy Villanueva has overseen the event of many large-scale healthcare initiatives all through California representing billions of {dollars} and tens of millions of sq. toes. 

Villanueva, a Stockton, California, native who holds a bachelor’s diploma in engineering development administration from California State College, Lengthy Seaside, started her profession at McCarthy Constructing Cos. as a venture engineer. Most not too long ago a venture govt for DPR Building, Villanueva was employed by Chicago-based Clayco in June to fill the newly created function of vp of healthcare for California.

From improvement and development of acute care hospitals to renovations and additions to current amenities, Villanueva’s expertise will serve her effectively as she begins her new function based mostly in Culver Metropolis, California.

“Healthcare amenities are a significant a part of the material and well-being of each neighborhood, offering vital care and lots of or hundreds of jobs, so it is a function I take very severely,” she mentioned in a press launch asserting her new place.

Right here, Villanueva talks with Building Dive about her new function and the specialised necessities of healthcare development.

CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What led you to develop an curiosity in development? 

Lucy Villanueva: I grew up serving to my brother-in-law through the summers together with his development firm. I used to be fascinated with how initiatives and constructions had been constructed from a set of drawings and it felt superb to be a part of a workforce that achieved a terrific job for the shopper.

What are just a few of the initiatives you have most loved engaged on and why? 

I actually loved engaged on the Kaiser Permanente Downey Hospital in Downey, California, as a result of it was my first giant healthcare venture beneath my management. However the one which I think about to be my greatest work to this point is Kaiser Permanente San Marcos close to San Diego, the place my workforce and I had been in a position to full a multimillion-dollar acute care hospital with LEED-Platinum certification in 27 months.

What you about healthcare development as a profession selection?  

My private expertise with my particular wants niece, who has spent a major period of time in hospitals, performed a vital function in shaping my curiosity within the development business, particularly within the healthcare sector. Witnessing firsthand the care and assist that healthcare amenities supply to folks like my niece made me acknowledge the profound influence these initiatives have on people’ lives.

What are a number of the greatest challenges in healthcare development?

Just a few of them are the complexity of the technical information required, constructing beneath the laws of California’s Division of Well being Care Entry and Data and the variety of programs to be coordinated for the aim of offering a construction that can present lifesaving providers to the neighborhood. 

What recommendation would you give to younger ladies contemplating development as a profession? 

Be your self. Be proactive and assured. Take initiative, voice your concepts and contribute to initiatives.