This gets difficult and I'm not a code guy. However I do work at a hospital FWIW. I can tell you the new stuff is all powered from panels on the floor. While you might not find a section of the code that requires power comes (only) from a panel on the floor......you are likely to find wording like "Branch-circuit overcurrent devices shall be made readily accessible to nursing and other authorized personnel". It doesn't say "or" and it is hard to argue a nurse has access to a locked electrical closet on a different floor. In the end the AHJ has the last word in the matter, not NEC.
And then there are "specs" for the job. These days you are likely to see something like the following:
2) Panelboards
A) Panelboards serving critical branch, equipment system, or normal system loads shall be located on the same floor as the loads to be served.
B) Location of panelboards serving life safety branch loads on the floor above or the floor below the loads to be served shall be permitted.
C) New panelboards shall not be located in public access corridors.
Bottom line, I'd let the PE fight all those battles and I'd want a stamped/approved set of plans that has passed review by all AHJ's before I bid the job. Helps a lot if you do hospitals in your area and know the people involved. Contractors new to hospitals and/or my area often get eaten alive.