The 2026 BOMA International Medical Real Estate Conference was held in San Diego, CA, from April 29 to May 1. It highlighted a sector at a pivotal inflection point, where technology, care delivery transformation, and operational discipline are converging to reshape medical real estate strategy. Speakers emphasized that outpatient migration, utilization optimization, and flexibility now outweigh traditional growth-through-expansion models. Artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a powerful enabler, while underscoring that strong data governance and human judgment remain essential. At the same time, continued migration to outpatient and ambulatory care, combined with capital discipline and regulatory uncertainty, is reshaping facility design toward standardized, adaptable environments.

Key Takeaways from the Conference:

• AI is most effective when used to synthesize data and test scenarios — not to replace human judgment.
• AI elevates professional roles by automating low‑value, manual tasks.
• AI can reduce analysis paralysis by reframing decisions around “why not” scenarios.
• Flexible, standardized facility design supports long‑term adaptability.
• Healthcare growth is shifting decisively toward outpatient and ambulatory facilities.
• Education, mentorship, and visible role models are essential tools for advancing health equity.
• Political and regulatory volatility make resilience and long‑term planning imperative for healthcare investment.