IDPH 2023 Healthcare Facility Update

IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) returns to provide valuable updates on the requirements for healthcare facility project submission, review, inspection, and occupancy. Dennis Schmitt, Supervisor, Design and Construction, will present the state of IDPH, introduce new IDPH staff, and give an overview of requirements under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  

Please take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions before the presentation by using the link:  https://forms.gle/zgp6NrTLdiRn4x1b9   

All pre-presentation questions need to be submitted by 9/29/2021.   

Learning Objectives (4):     

1. Understand the Illinois Department of Public Health approval process from project submission, review, inspection and occupancy. 

1. Review building and life safety code references to fulfill AHJ requirements. 

1. Understand the process and requirements of Federal Surveys for the design and construction of healthcare facilities.  

1. Learn about Emergency Preparedness requirements and how they impact health, safety, and welfare.  

Speaker: Dennis Schmitt, Architect, Supervisor, Design and Construction Section, Illinois Department of Public Health 

Mr. Schmitt graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 1987 with a  

Bachelor’s of Science in Architectural Studies. He has worked as an architect in Springfield, Illinois for two architectural firms and was also the owner of his own firm.  His major focus in architecture was in health care facility design which included hospitals, long term care and ambulatory surgical treatment centers.    

Mr. Schmitt joined the Illinois Department of Public Health in 2012 as an architect for the Champaign regional office.  He was a life safety code surveyor on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  In 2014 he moved to the Design and Construction section where he conducts federal surveys for CMS, licensed only surveys and reviews drawings for health care facility construction projects.   

In 2017 Mr. Schmitt became the supervisor over the Design and Construction Unit which allows him to work closely with the Life Safety and Construction Division Chief, Mr. Henry Kowalenko.  Along with his supervisory position he works closely with providers and healthcare architects to assure code compliance with the department’s licensing requirements and the life safety code.