Walter Vernon, CEO of Mazzetti and Vice president of IFMA HealthCare Institute (HCI), was appointed this week to the Executive Council of the International Federation of Hospital Engineering Council (IFHE).

HCI represents the United States to IFHE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the international exchange of information on healthcare facility design, construction, engineering, commissioning, maintenance, and estate management. Vernon’s appointment to the Executive Council was made as he represented HCI at IFHE’s annual Congress, which took place April 16-21 in The Hague, Netherlands.

Vernon is one of 12 members, representing 12 countries, serving on the IFHE Executive Council. This marks the first time that the United States has been represented on the Executive Council of this prestigious international organization.

“This is a great honor in recognition of Walt’s contribution to healthcare worldwide and his continuing leadership in sustainable design,” commented HCI President Mike Wood on the appointment. “With the appointment HCI and the United States have re-entered the world stage of international healthcare planning, design, construction and engineering. Please join us in congratulating Walt on his appointment to this world body.”

“The IFHE brings together the best thinking of the international engineering community,” said Vernon. “It is clear to me that healthcare engineers around the world are struggling with similar kinds of challenges. It is equally clear to me that IFHE, and its U.S. affiliate HCI, have the potential to do great things for our industry, both internationally and in the United States. I am proud that the HCI is bringing its members access to this unique global resource. I will work hard to be an effective communication channel.”

About the Health Care Institute

HCI serves a constituency that interacts directly with the business office and/or C-suite, and supervises multiple aspects of health care facilities management including healthcare facility design, construction and operations. HCI is one of the most prominent healthcare facilities-related organizations internationally, with members throughout the world.

HCI’s nationwide educational seminar series has traveled to 25 different cities (some multiple times), resulting in a forum where facilities managers can problem solve with healthcare architects, designers, engineers, contractors and administrators.

For more information about HCI, visit the organization’s website: http://hcinstitute.info.

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 22,000 members in 78 countries. The association’s members manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition.