Navigating Healthcare Construction: A Conversation with Eamon Ryan of the Concord Group

In this episode of The HEALS Pod, I, Diego Trujillo, the CEO of Las Vegas HEALS, am thrilled to welcome Eamon Ryan, the Chief Operating Officer of the Concord Group. After a brief hiatus during our relocation to a new studio at UNLV's Blackfire Building, we are back with an engaging discussion about the intricacies of healthcare development in Southern Nevada.

Eamon provides a comprehensive overview of what it means to be an owner-operator in the construction and development sector, particularly in healthcare. He explains that the Concord Group acts as an owner's representative, stepping in when organizations have a project idea but need assistance in navigating the complex construction landscape. This includes everything from budgeting and scheduling to managing requests for proposals (RFPs).

We delve into the various scales of projects that the Concord Group handles, from small clinics to large-scale hospital replacements costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Eamon shares insights into the challenges faced by healthcare systems, especially when they lack the internal bandwidth to manage significant construction projects.

Eamon also discusses the origins of the Concord Group, which was founded in Chicago in 1996 by professionals with a background in quantity surveying. He highlights the unique approach they bring to the U.S. market, focusing on construction cost management and project controls, which were less common in the industry at the time.

As we explore the current state of construction costs, Eamon emphasizes the dramatic increases seen in recent years, particularly post-COVID. He provides valuable insights into how organizations can better prepare for these fluctuations and avoid common pitfalls in budgeting.

The conversation shifts to the exciting developments happening in Las Vegas, where Eamon and his team have recently established a new office. He shares his enthusiasm for the city's growth potential, particularly in healthcare and education, and how the Concord Group aims to contribute to this dynamic environment.

Throughout the episode, we touch on the importance of technology in construction, including the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for facility assessments and the potential impact of AI on the industry. Eamon expresses optimism about the future of construction, emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation.