B. R. Fries & Associates Wins 2026 Association of Medical Facility Professionals GNY Chapter Award for Excellence in “Healthcare Interiors Renovation”

For Immediate Release – July 17, 2026, New York, NY

B.R. Fries & Associates received First Prize at the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP) Greater New York Chapter 2026 Awards Gala in the category of Excellence in Healthcare Interiors Renovation. The recognition highlights the firm’s work for Montefiore/Einstein Health System, where B.R. Fries & Associates led a complex healthcare interiors project at Montefiore Hospital’s Spencer Foreman, M.D. Pavilion in the Bronx, New York.

The award-winning project involved the renovation and conversion of the 7B Nursing Unit and Patient Rooms into a fully compliant Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This transformation required a balance of clinical and operational considerations, including stringent regulatory and life-safety requirements, integration of advanced medical equipment, and reconfiguration of circulation and support spaces to meet ICU standards. The result is a modern critical care environment designed to support high-acuity patients, multidisciplinary clinical teams, and the overall mission of Montefiore/Einstein Health System.

Transforming a Nursing Unit and Patient Rooms into an ICU

Converting an existing nursing unit and patient rooms into an ICU is fundamentally different from a cosmetic renovation. It demands careful coordination among the owner, designers, construction manager, and clinicians to ensure the new environment aligns with current standards of care and future operational needs.

Leadership, Collaboration, and Project Team Excellence

The AMFP award underscores the depth of collaboration behind the Montefiore project. As Steven Kirschenbaum, Executive Vice President for Corporate Strategy at B.R. Fries & Associates, emphasized, the recognition is “a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and expertise of our entire B.R. Fries & Associates team.”

Special acknowledgment goes to the core project team—Zane Phifer, Charlie Carroll, David Alvarez, and Hector Cordero—who led the day-to-day execution, coordinated field activities, and navigated the inevitable challenges of a fast-track healthcare renovation.

Equally important was the partnership with the Montefiore Health System Design and Construction Team. Tina Macica, AVP, Design and Construction, said of working with the B.R. Fries Team, “Converting a former nursing unit and patient rooms into a fully functioning ICU is one of the most demanding project types in healthcare construction. The B.R. Fries team brought exactly the kind of skill and experience this project required. They understood that every decision, from sequencing to system integration, had to be weighed against our operational realities, and they partnered with our team and clinical staff, as well as the project’s design partner, NBBJ Design, at every step to make that happen. The result is a unit Montefiore’s clinical staff is proud to work in, and a safer place for our patients. We look forward to continuing to build with B.R. Fries & Associates.”

A Longstanding Commitment to Healthcare Construction

Over the past two decades, B.R. Fries & Associates has partnered with leading healthcare systems across the New York metropolitan area, delivering projects that range from complex interior renovations and infrastructure upgrades to highly specialized clinical environments. The firm’s approach is anchored in a deep understanding of healthcare operations, regulatory frameworks, and the need to keep facilities operational and safe throughout construction.

Reflecting on the award, B.R. Fries & Associates Founder & President Barry Fries noted that achievements like this “do not happen by chance. They are earned through hard work, innovation, and a relentless focus on delivering exceptional results for our clients.” He emphasized that “the Montefiore ICU project demonstrates not only the firm’s technical capability, but also its commitment to building environments that enhance healthcare and improve the lives of patients, families, and clinical staff who use them every day”.

The FriesWay Work Smart System

A key differentiator for B.R. Fries & Associates is its proprietary FriesWay Work Smart System, a best-practice project management program developed to support complex projects, particularly in healthcare settings. This system aligns planning, communication, risk management, and field execution to deliver projects efficiently and with high reliability.

About B.R. Fries & Associates

B.R. Fries & Associates is a General Contractor and Construction Manager based in New York City and serving the New York metropolitan area. With 46 years of experience in general construction and over 20 years in specialized healthcare construction, the firm partners with world-class healthcare systems to deliver projects that are technically sophisticated, operationally sound, and patient and clinical staff centered.

Leveraging its FriesWay Work Smart System and a commitment to innovation, B.R. Fries & Associates continues to build environments that support the future of healthcare—spaces where quality of care, safety, and experience are paramount.