Healthcare Under Pressure - What's Keeping California's Hospital Leaders Up

Join California Women in Design + Construction (CWDC) for a candid, high‑level panel on the state of healthcare in California and what it means for the people who plan, finance, design, and build the facilities our communities rely on. Whether you’re an owner, a health system executive, a design professional, a general contractor, or a community partner, don’t miss this timely conversation about the forces reshaping California healthcare—and what it will take to deliver safe, compliant, and financially sustainable facilities statewide. A networking reception will follow the discussion so you can keep the conversation going with peers, potential collaborators, and policy leaders.

Moderator:

Barbara Wagner – Executive Vice President, Clark Construction

Barbara Wagner is an executive vice president with Clark Construction Group (Clark), and oversees the company’s national healthcare sector. Wagner earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Catholic University of America and a Master of Civil Engineering and Construction Management degree from the University of Maryland. For the past two decades, healthcare clients throughout California – and across the country – have relied on her expertise for the successful planning and execution of their renovation, expansion, and new construction projects. Barbara has over 40 years of experience in construction and holds a contractor and engineer’s license in the state of California, DBIA Fellow, and LEED accreditation.

Panelists:

Michelle Malone – Executive Director, UCSF Health

Michelle Malone is a dynamic and highly respected senior healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience spanning healthcare construction, facilities, and administration. Known for her sharp instincts and fearless approach to problem-solving, Michelle has successfully led some of the most logistically complex hospital projects in California. A natural leader with a big presence, Michelle excels at strategic planning, navigating challenges, and bringing clarity to high-pressure environments. She is equally passionate about building strong, inclusive teams and fostering open communication, believing that great projects are built by people who feel heard, trusted, and empowered. A trailblazer in her field, Michelle made history as the first female Vice Chair (2001–2007) and State Chair (2007–2010) of the Hospital Building Safety Board (HBSB) in California. From 2016 to 2020, she also served as the Primary Care/Specialty Clinic Representative to the California Building Standards Commission (CDGS) Healthcare Committee. Today, Michelle brings her energy, expertise, and unmistakable leadership style to her role as Executive Director of the new $ 4.3 billion Helen Diller Hospital Project at UCSF’s Parnassus Campus—continuing to raise the bar for healthcare delivery through thoughtful design, collaboration, and execution.

Jill Tomczyk – Executive Director of Capital Projects, UC Davis, Facilities Design & Construction, LEED BD+C

A California licensed architect with 28 years of experience in architectural design, construction, project management in the UC system, Jill was a senior project manager for the UC Davis Design and Construction Management department for more than 20 years before moving to UC Davis Health in 2019. She now leads the entire Capital Projects department for UC Davis Health with over 30 project managers and Directors. She has experience with multiple contract delivery methods, and a wide range of project types including high tech, academic, housing, and healthcare. Her current role includes delivering multiple strategic expansion projects for UC Davis Health. She is leading an integrated team of designers and builders using collaborative contract delivery that will add more than 1 million gross square feet to the health campus over the next 8 years.

JoDee Johnson – Chief Executive Officer, Plumas District Hospital

JoDee Johnson is a leading executive healthcare professional with over 19 years of successful leadership, specializing in critical access hospitals in rural areas. Her hands-on and energetic mentoring approach has created a strong reputation among her peers, fellow leaders and the communities she serves. She advocates for continuous improvement through transparent communication, mutual respect and trust. JoDee’s techniques for empowering frontline employees, leaders, providers, and advanced practice providers, sets her apart from other executives. As the CEO for Plumas District Hospital, JoDee, along with the support of a high performing team, has increased revenue for outpatient and transitional care service lines. Since 2019, her team has been successful with the implementation of Cerner: an electronic health record software, progression towards a new hospital build and the completion of an onsite childcare center, two physical therapy offices, outpatient behavioral health program and the launch of a skilled nursing facility. Her vision and drive to increase service lines and accessibility to healthcare for all community members is inspirational.

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Host or Publisher California Women in Design + Construction (CWDC)