FROMWORDS

TO REALITY

THE DESIGN OF

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Credit Valley Hospital

treats the whole person:

body, mind and spirit.

“Our vision is to

be the finest hospital

in Canada in the

hearts and minds

of the people we serve.”

Credit Valley Hospital

“…THE FINEST HOSPITAL IN THE

…HEARTS AND

MINDS...”

“We realized that an

ordinary design would make

these words meaningless.”

Wayne Fyffe, past President & CEO

Credit Valley Hospital

CVH also knew the

consequences of a

“SAY—DO GAP”

CVH also knew the

consequences of a

“SAY—DO GAP”between their words and

physical reality.

The consequences of a

“SAY—DO GAP”

(mixed message)

include:

- compromised credibility with

staff, patients + community

- emotional disconnect with

donors + volunteers

- reputation for empty words

So Credit Valley Hospital

gave serious thought

to what their hospital

needed to be for the

21st century.

What does it mean to be the

“…FINEST HOSPITAL IN THE

HEARTS AND

MINDS...”

“When we asked patients about their priorities for designthey responded:

‘something that givesus hope; something

that is alive.’’’

Wayne Fyffe, past President & CEOCredit Valley Hospital

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What are the results

of CVH’s quest

to transform

inspiring words

into reality

“...contributes tonew thinking and influences the UK’s future experienceof delivering health care in the21st century.”

Juror’s comments: CABE(Commission for Architectureand the Built Environment) Building Better Healthcare Awards, London, UK

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“...raised expectations for what is possible.”

Client Survey Participant, Angus Reid Strategies Report, 2009

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“...most people are surprised to learn that our project came in $10 million under budget.”

Ron Noble, Vice President Corporate Planning & Construction, Credit Valley Hospital

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“...leadership and vision…above and beyond to enhance the healing environment.”

Healthcare Facilities Symposium Award juror, Chicago

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“The bold design was embraced immediately as a logical extension of our vision and values.”

Wayne Fyffe, past President & CEO, Credit Valley Hospital

WINNER:

Canadian Company or CEO

with the Best Design Strategy

Wayne FyffePast President & CEO,

Credit Valley Hospital and Carlo Fidani

Peel Regional Cancer CentreIan Sinclair, Tye Farrow, Wayne Fyffe

What can we learn from

Credit Valley Hospital’s

“words to reality”

commitment

Aim higher and avoid either/or thinking

“The board got it and instantly saw that this was the right thing to do.”*

“Don’t assume you need to choose between the budget and making your words a reality.”**

“too nice for us”(?)“we probably can’t get enough support for this.”(?)1.

Ordinary words = ordinary results

“patient-focused care”(?)

“dedicated to innovation”(?)

“finest in the hearts and minds…”

“healing environment”(?) 2.

Create a 3D mission statement

say—do gap?

an inspiring sense of purpose

instill confidence

impersonal and cold?

body, mind & spirit

3.

“Anonymous”is bad for business

“could be anywhere”(?)

“An anonymous steel-columned box would contradict our values and turn our vision into empty words.”*

generic(?)

memorable identity

emotional connection(?)

4.

Intangibles have tangible benefits

emotional connection with donors

attracts qualified staff

raises blood pressure(?)

institutional image(?)weighs on the spirit(?)

lowers the blood pressure

5.

There WILL be naysayers

“In this economy we must build bland.”(?)

inspirational design costs the same as institutional design

“Hospitals are functional infrastructure, period.”(?)

“Medical centers are costly liabilities!”(?)

6.

Create “something that is alive!”

“gives us hope”

focus on technology! (?)

life-affirming

feed the spirit

reflect local culture

strong connections with nature

7.

CLIENT: Credit Valley Hospital; Cancer Care Ontario

Ron Noble, Vice President Corporate Planning & Construction

LOCATION: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

CONSTRUCTION BUDGET: $82 million CAD

OCCUPANCY: June 2005

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Architects and Collaborators for Credit Valley Hospital:

Farrow Partnership Architects Inc.

www.farrowpartnership.com

* Wayne Fyffe, past President & CEO** Tye Farrow, Design Architect