John Sterry – Nuvance Health

Innovation in healthcare facilities is crucial for multiple reasons, impacting patient care and operational efficiency. Advanced medical technologies and techniques improve diagnostics and treatment, enabling more accurate and personalized healthcare solutions. Automation and robotics streamline administrative tasks and enhance supply chain management, thus increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Telemedicine and preventive healthcare technologies like wearables offer more accessible and cost-effective care by reducing the need for in-person visits and emergency interventions.

The patient experience also benefits from innovation through digital platforms like patient portals and apps, which provide easy access to medical records and facilitate communication with healthcare providers. Enhanced hospital design and patient management systems increase satisfaction by making the healthcare experience more comfortable and convenient.

In the dynamic world of healthcare, where innovation meets compassionate service, John Sterry stands tall as a pivotal figure. A Danbury, Conn., native, Sterry is the vice president of planning, design, construction and corporate real estate for Nuvance Health.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” Sterry tells Blueprint magazine during an interview in July. “We enhance patient care and operational efficiency by integrating advanced medical technologies and state-of-the-art design into our facilities. Our commitment to innovation ensures that we provide personalized and effective treatments, streamline administrative processes and create a more comfortable and accessible healthcare experience for our patients.”

Nuvance Health is a system of award-winning nonprofit hospitals and outpatient healthcare service facilities throughout the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut. Its portfolio includes Danbury Hospital and its New Milford campus, Norwalk Hospital and Sharon Hospital, Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital and Vassar Brothers Medical Center. The company employs 12,000 people across its facilities, including over 100 buildings spread across six million square feet.

Sterry is playing an instrumental role in enhancing the community’s well-being by building, maintaining, and upgrading healthcare facilities that cater to the needs of the people. With almost 38 years of experience with Nuvance Health, Sterry has overseen the design and construction and supported the real estate functions of the evolving healthcare system, managing over $1 billion worth of projects throughout his tenure.

The patient experience

Sterry’s impact is evident in the projects he has managed. From overseeing design and construction to supporting real estate functions, his leadership has been instrumental in Nuvance Health’s growth. In 2022, he took on additional responsibilities in corporate real estate, further expanding his influence on the organization’s infrastructure.

Sterry and his team are finalizing the capital and operating budgets for the 2025 fiscal year. With a high volume of project requests totaling $400 million, they typically secure approval for around $125 million. Prioritizing projects based on safety, compliance, and growth opportunities, they allocate 75 percent of the budget to design and construction initiatives.

Nuvance Health is focusing on enhancing offsite facilities and developing new locations. Notable projects include a new physical therapy location in Newtown and a recently completed 15,000-square-foot outpatient behavioral health facility serving adolescent and adult needs in Norwalk. New behavioral health units are also being constructed at Norwalk and Danbury hospitals. Renovations of cath labs and procedural spaces, along with replacing end-of-life equipment, ensure patients’ highest quality of care.

Looking ahead, one of the most ambitious projects is the planned addition of a new inpatient pavilion at Norwalk Hospital. Scheduled to begin in early 2026, the seven-story pavilion will feature medical floors, an ICU, a NICU and a family birth center, with completion expected in 2029.

“Managing between $75 million and $100 million in capital projects annually is no small feat, but it’s exciting work that brings meaningful changes to our healthcare system,” Sterry says.

Building a team

Sterry’s team is a robust force of 30, including project managers, property managers, designers, and a full construction team. This team dynamic provides flexibility and ensures that projects are completed efficiently and effectively, even while navigating the complexities of an active healthcare environment.

“Safety for both our patients and staff is the most important aspect. We ensure the proper steps are taken to deliver a high-quality, on-time, cost-effective project,” he emphasizes.

Recruiting and retaining top talent is a priority. “We work closely with our HR department during the interview process and provide market-competitive salaries,” he explains. This approach helps maintain a skilled and dedicated workforce to meet the organization’s ambitious goals.

Giving back

Born in Danbury Hospital, Sterry’s roots run deep in the area he now serves. His personal ties to the community fuel his passion for delivering top-notch healthcare experiences to local residents.

“It’s important to me that we provide the best possible experience for everyone using our healthcare services,” he says. This personal commitment has been a driving force throughout his extensive career.

Since joining the organization in 1987, Sterry has witnessed and contributed to its remarkable evolution. What began as a single hospital has become a comprehensive healthcare system with seven hospitals and nearly 100 offsite locations, medical offices and specialty practices. This expansion has been bolstered by strategic acquisitions and affiliations, most notably the recent agreement with Northwell Health.

Once approved, this partnership will position Nuvance Health as part of Northwell Health and the sixth-largest nonprofit healthcare system in the United States, with 28 hospitals and over 1,000 offsite facilities spanning multiple states.

Sterry’s interest in design and construction began in the early 1980s, working in the residential market. The mid-80s recession prompted him to seek more stable opportunities, leading him to Danbury Hospital’s construction department. This pivotal move marked the start of a rewarding career that saw him rise from supervisor to vice president.

Reflecting on his journey, Sterry acknowledges the biggest challenge: balancing workload with workforce. The release of the capital budget at the start of the fiscal year can mean managing over 100 projects simultaneously, requiring careful prioritization and coordination with senior leaders to ensure timely completion.

Outside of work, Sterry enjoys a fulfilling personal life. Happily married with a 30-year-old daughter who recently earned her master’s in social work, he is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. His hobbies include RVing, motorcycle riding, and ATV adventures. On his bucket list is a cross-country RV trip to visit as many states and national parks as possible.

“I enjoy working at Nuvance Health and look forward to the future with continued growth improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we service,” Sterry says.