Shannon Zeiger

The people around me have had the biggest influence. I have had amazing mentors throughout my career, and our Founder, Teal Heath, is one of them. Working for leaders who believe in you, open doors, and create opportunities to grow makes all the difference.

I try to pay that forward by being a resource to others and by being honest about what I know and what I do not. Relationships are a two-way street. You have to give as much as you take. I also believe in doing what you say you are going to do, and that simple approach builds trust over time.

Curiosity and resiliency have played a big role as well. If I do not understand something, I take the initiative to learn it. We have access to so much information, and being willing to study on your own or ask questions when things are not clear has helped me close gaps quickly and support my team. If I hit a roadblock, I look for a new pathway. That combination (strong relationships, integrity, curiosity, and resiliency) has shaped my career.

Find mentors and surround yourself with people you want to be like. I have been fortunate to learn from leaders who shared their experiences and brought me into conversations I might not have been part of otherwise.

The other piece is believing in yourself. It is easy to second-guess your experience or expertise, especially early on, but you have to trust the work you have put in. You build experience step by step, and sometimes you need to remind yourself that you have earned your seat. When you see a gap, name it and close it, either by learning what you need or by bringing in the right partners.

There is a lot of ambiguity in HIT construction, so lean into it and welcome complex problems. Many people step back when answers are not obvious; stepping forward is how you grow. The intersection of healthcare and technology is always evolving, so stay curious and informed, look for opportunities to learn, and surround yourself with mentors and true partners, the people you aspire to be like. A strong network is invaluable. Collaboration and trust are essential in this field.

The biggest challenge is that hospitals now rely on technology for virtually every part of care, yet many construction projects still lack a disciplined approach to planning, budgeting, and delivering the information and communication technology that enables that care. The opportunity is to bring that discipline in from the very beginning and align IT, clinical leaders, architects, contractors, low voltage teams, and vendors so that roles and sequencing are clear. That is the role of a Technology Owner’s Representative. We advocate for the owner’s IT interests from early planning through activation so technology is treated as a strategic asset, not an afterthought.

Equinox HIT pioneered a modern approach to managing the full ICT scope in healthcare construction, including budgeting, infrastructure, devices, applications, integrations, and resourcing. We use an integrated platform, Solstice KEY, to improve visibility and standardize workflows. That coordination helps prevent rework, protect budgets, reduce the burden on internal IT teams, and support a successful and efficient facility opening.

In my role, one of the biggest challenges is also the biggest opportunity: continuing to tell that story. Many in the industry still do not realize how much responsibility falls on the IT department during construction. I focus on identifying those gaps, communicating them clearly, and supporting the education piece so organizations understand the value of bringing in this level of expertise early.

Integrity is the foundation for me, and everything ties to that. If I make a commitment, I follow through. If something changes, I am upfront about it. That level of honesty sets the tone for how people work together. I also value treating people well and creating an environment where communication is clear and respectful. Whether it is clients, colleagues, or project partners, the quality of the relationship shapes the quality of the work. Finally, I try to approach change with openness. Our industry moves quickly, so I make a point to ask questions and understand what is in front of me so I can help the team move forward.