It takes a village to deliver a large and ambitious project like Renew Sinai Phase 3A. We will be taking you behind the scenes, and showcasing the teams and people responsible for ensuring its success. Today, we start with Darnell Williams, Director of Capital Development.
From condo developments in Dubai to Toronto’s PanAm village, no two architecture projects in Darnell Williams’ portfolio are alike. Darnell, a trained Architecture Technologist, is motivated by trying the untested and unknown, and that is what drew him to Mount Sinai. Our redevelopment is the most ambitious one in our history, and is unparalleled in Ontario health care.
“We are renovating nearly 300,000 square feet of clinical space while the organization continues to deliver excellent care in and around these areas,” explains Darnell. “What makes this possible is the dedicated, collaborative and creative team committed to ensuring we maintain a positive experience for patients and staff throughout construction.” To deliver on this promise, Darnell works tirelessly to establish consensus between clinical leaders, the contractor, consultants, engineers, funders, executives and other key stakeholders.
“My job is a bit like building a plane midflight,” says Darnell. As the pilot, his top priority is the safety of staff and patients aboard, while landing the project on time and on budget. With a price tag of nearly $300 million and more than 140 departmental relocations, that is no small feat and in the event of any unforeseen turbulence, he course corrects to keep the project on schedule.
Darnell joined Mount Sinai nearly five years ago and prior to take-off in July 2017, his key role was to prepare the organization for construction and how it should proceed. He planned the timing and sequencing of every activity of this multi-year project, mapped out all of the interdependencies and proactively managed risks – tasks he compares to a job in air traffic control.
Seeing the plans come to life, Darnell says opening brand new spaces is his favourite part of his role. “At the end of the day, I am giving back to the community and helping make Mount Sinai an even better place for our patients and my colleagues.”
Darnell thanks everyone impacted by construction, and the ‘aircrew’ he collaborates with every day to steer our redevelopment path.
Learn more at RenewSinai.ca.