By Sara Marberry — Since the current U.S. president took office in January, chaos has reigned. The administration’s push for deregulation and new financial incentives could ease some red tape and open up funding opportunities. But then there’s the fine print: labor shortages, tariffs on materials, slashed federal grants, and policy pivots that make long-term planning difficult.
For those of you in planning, designing, and constructing healthcare facilities and senior living communities, this new policy landscape probably feels like a rollercoaster ride.
Anxiety is high. Uncertainty is real. And many of us are asking: When will the chaos subside?
Likely not anytime soon. And there’s not a lot we can do about it.
So, to provide a little distraction and make you laugh, here’s the best healthcare design joke I know. In fact, its the only healthcare design joke I know.
I’ve shared it before, but it’s still funny.
Doctors were asked to contribute to the planning and design of a new medical center. Their responses?
- The allergists voted to scratch it.
- The dermatologists preferred no rash moves.
- The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it.
- The neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve.
- The obstetricians were laboring under a misconception.
- The ophthalmologists thought it was short-sighted.
- The orthopedists issued a joint resolution.
- The pathologists said, “Over my dead body!”
- The pediatricians said, “Grow up.”
- The proctologists said, “We are in arrears.”
- The psychiatrists thought it was madness.
- The surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
- The radiologists could see right through it.
- The internists said it was a hard pill to swallow.
- The plastic surgeons thought it put a whole new face on the matter.
- The podiatrists called it a big step forward.
- The urologists warned it wouldn’t hold water.
- The emergency physicians said it needed resuscitation.
- And the cardiologists? They just didn’t have the heart to say no.
Laughter really is the best medicine, right? If you know another healthcare design joke, please share it in the comment box below!
See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.
This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on April 18, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.