Describe your day-to-day responsibilities and a typical day:
It’s the responsibility of my team to ensure that our hospital campus is safe for patients and staff. My team consists of a supervisor, coordinator, and approximately 25 technicians skilled in a variety of trades. We are the plumbers, maintenance techs, carpenters, electricians, painters, and power plant engineers that take care of the operations of the building and maintain the grounds of the campus. We begin each morning with a huddle where we review overnight activities and daily priorities. I’m responsible for ensuring maintenance and work orders are completed, work is documented, and that we’re providing a safe healthy environment that’s compliant.
Describe the path you took to arrive in your current role:
I’ve been in healthcare my entire career but there have been some twists and turns on my journey. Early in my career I was a Certified Medical Assistant and I worked at another hospital system for 15 years. I held a variety of roles during that time including nursing assistant, medical assistant, insurance coordinator, and practice manager. I then moved to another state for a few years. When I returned to Michigan, I was looking for a job and my aunt, who works for Medxcel, recommended I apply for the Facilities Coordinator position. While I was Coordinator, I finished my nursing prerequisites and was accepted to nursing school. I had received my start date for nursing school when I was offered the opportunity to apply for the role of supervisor. After a lot of prayer and thought I decided to take the leap and stay with Medxcel in the supervisor position. That changed my career path and I have often been asked why I made the decision to move to Medxcel from the clinical side. To me the reason is simple, my desire to aid, comfort, and care for people remains a top priority. My unique background allows me to bring a different perspective to the world of Facilities Management and in everything I do, I am still caring for those who need it most. I was recently promoted to Facility Manager and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join Medxcel.
How did Medxcel support you in your career path to supervisor of a large team?
As I moved from the coordinator position to supervisor and then manager, I took advantage of the wealth of training offered by Medxcel, courses which were very helpful and provided me with so much information. My leaders have also given me access to organizations like ASHE and MISHE which provide additional learning opportunities. Most importantly, I have found tremendous value in my mentors! My director, Randy Judd, and manager, Jim Krzywiecki are fantastic leaders. One minute we are having a conversation about goals and the next minute introductions to people, materials, and classes are underway. This is consistent with the way Medxcel operates. It is very encouraging to work for a company that stands behind you, helping to take action towards your goals.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is knowing at the end of every day, I did everything possible to make sure our patients, staff, and visitors have a positive experience while on this campus. I have learned that there are many things that go on behind the scenes in a hospital; it takes a lot of people and moving pieces to make things happen especially in an industry that never closes. Everything requires teamwork and patience is a necessity.
How does facilities management impact patient care?
Although a lot of what we do is “behind the scenes”, I really believe that the facilities team greatly impacts patient care. For example if a patient is in the bed and freezing cold, maybe something happened to the heat in that area that we weren’t aware of it. Our team is the one who needs to look at the system to make sure it’s working properly and that our patients are comfortable. When it comes to things like a light or television or nurse call button that’s not working, all of these seemingly small things impact how a patient heals in a sense, because if they’re not happy, things aren’t going well, they’re not comfortable, their staff can’t get the things that they need to take care of the patients, then we’re not doing our jobs and it greatly impacts their care and healing.
How do Medxcel’s Core Values speak to you?
My passionate dedication encompasses all Medxcel’s Core Values. My faith in God helps my cup stay full, and with that, I am able to pour into those I serve with my whole heart. Medxcel's Core Values directly line up with my own, that’s why I love what I do.
What is the most satisfying part of your work?
It’s been interesting and very satisfying to partner with our PDC team on construction projects. From beginning to end, it is fascinating to watch an area be completely demolished and re-emerge as a totally different room. Recently we completely overhauled our ICU, in phases, completely gutting it and bringing it back to life, it looks amazing. It now holds more beds and could not have been completed at a better time.
Is there a project you’ve been involved with that you’re particularly proud of?
The very first project I spearheaded as supervisor was the Renewal Room project, a system-wide project that took place in the latter part of 2020. The Renewal Room initiative was created to provide a space for the hospital staff to take an individual break and decompress, if only for a few minutes. The hospital purchased massage chairs, phone charging stations, mini fridges to hold drinks, and other items. My team and I helped set up multiple Renewal Rooms throughout the hospital. I worked with two nursing directors and most of the managers to determine their needs and to locate a space on each unit. I ordered and coordinated the installations, and my team made it happen. One of the nursing directors wanted to do something for those who didn’t work on a unit, so we worked together to turn one of the big unused conference rooms into a larger Renewal Room for non-clinical staff. This project was a fairly small task but provided a huge reward.
What would you say to someone considering a career with Medxcel?
I love to tell people to join the Medxcel team. Medxcel is a fantastic company to work for, there isn’t anywhere else I’d want to be right now. The support that we get from upper management is wonderful. Any time an issue arises, everyone is available, that’s the best part. I don’t have to chase people down to get help or a response. Our leaders are available to us. The team is also very nurturing, helping us in our personal and professional development. It’s been a great place for me to grow my career, I’m very happy that I chose this path.