By Nicholas Leider
YOU CAN SEE ME NOW
Health care has been a hot topic in the U . S . since , well , pretty much any point in recent memory . Considering it accounts for 17.7 percent of total GDP , according to federal data , health care rightly continues to be an important part of the national conversation .
To that end , commercial real estate plays its part in making sure doctors , nurses , and other health care providers are best positioned to care for
Stephanie Coleman , CCIM all communities — from a neighborhood in the heart of Brooklyn to a small town in West Texas . Stephanie Coleman , CCIM , is a leading figure in the sector — joining JLL ’ s newly created health care team as vice president in September 2019 . Within months , the COVID-19 pandemic upended the country — something she knew intimately as one of the first few positive cases in Connecticut . ( She ’ s back to full health !)
CIRE magazine spoke to Coleman about her experiences , both personal and professional , to understand what to expect in health care real estate , what the CRE industry can do to improve diversity , and how her experiences have led her to where she is today .
CIRE : WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR DURING COVID-19 ? WHAT ARE
YOUR EXPECTATIONS LOOKING FOR- WARD NOW THAT WE ARE ( HOPEFULLY ) ON OUR WAY TO RECOVERY ?
STEPHANIE COLEMAN , CCIM : As one of the first 20 documented cases of COVID-19 in the state of Connecticut , I experienced firsthand how unprepared the nation ’ s health care systems were . There was so much unknown about the disease . However , there was a stellar ramp-up of processes , strategies , and scientific info to deal with the pandemic , including research , testing , and telemedicine . It goes without saying that the work of the frontline health care workers was just stunning .
At a very basic level , I learned — or relearned — that the simplest things in life are the most important , something as simple as dinner with your family . But I think the health care industry will be better , faster , and stronger because of this experience . I think it will reflect on what it was able to accomplish in response to COVID-19 and be able to apply those lessons to proactively change . I also think , now more than ever , there will be a focus on not only patient experience , but physician / practitioner experience as well . The workplace has to be desirable to attract and retain quality , experienced practitioners .
CIRE : WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE REAL ESTATE MARKET THAT OTHERS WOULD FIND SURPRISING OR UNEXPECTED ? IF A CRE PROFESSIONAL WAS CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT , HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM ?
COLEMAN : Many health care groups do not actively seek out real estate professionals to help with transactions . Many will spearhead their own deals , even as highly specialized as their needs may be . I think the best way to learn more is to find a mentor . Find a professional who is already transacting in health care and learn how to articulate the benefits of engaging representation — things like market intel , examining building infrastructure , and sharing data and insight regarding the ideal patient population and health care service line demand . Also , it ’ s important to become familiar with Stark Law , anti-kickback policies , and state requirements for medical offices .
CIRE : DIVERSITY IS A POINT OF EMPHASIS FOR MANY IN THE INDUSTRY . HOW DO YOU VIEW YOUR PLACE , AS A WOMAN OF COLOR , IN AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY WHITE AND MALE ? WHY IS REPRESENTATION SUCH AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN BUILDING A MORE DIVERSE , MORE EQUITABLE INDUSTRY ?
COLEMAN : I love the phrase , “ If they can see me , they can be me .” I think my place is to be an example of , at the very least , possibility ; it is possible to be a person of color and / or female and find a place to do good work in the industry . Representation , diversity , inclusion , and equity — it ’ s such a huge conversation . It is 50,000 shades of gray ! I believe everybody wins when the workforce is diverse .
Honestly , even with all the focus on diversity , inclusion , and equity , I feel more
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COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021