When Michael Tinsley was 24 years old, he had an opportunity to fill in temporarily as a contractor to be a building engineer at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center. He enjoyed the team aspect and our ministry’s core values so much that he came aboard full time.
Since them, Michael’s role has expanded over the past 12 years and now serves as director of facilities. As we observe Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week, Michael talks about the role he and his team play to support patient care.
“I believe facilities management plays a large role in patient care,” Michael shares. “We try our best to maintain all areas of this facility, while placing extra focus on maintaining a pristine and safe environment to promote the best healing environment possible.”
Michael’s team maintains several things that patients experience directly, such as the nurse call system, TVs, HVAC, plumbing and electrical in the patient rooms. They’re also responsible for other features that impact care, such as patient and medical refrigerators and freezers, overhead paging systems and tube stations.
“Our team truly makes an impact, even if the fix is behind the scenes,” Michael adds.
During the course of the day, Michael may be involved in a wide variety of tasks, such as:
- Responding to emergency situations, such as fire alarms and water leaks
- Performing safety rounds throughout the facility
- Scheduling utility shutdowns
- Aiding in design for construction projects
- Reviewing and creating policies
- Managing high priority security events
- Serving as emergency management chairmen
- Serving as environment of care chairmen
- Managing projects and work orders
- Overseeing energy efficiency
Michael feels that having the opportunity to learn the facility inside and out as a “boots on the ground” worker has led to his responsibility for different areas of compliance-related maintenance and repair activities. He adds that he sees collaboration play out amongst his team members every day.
“The support my team gives each other, myself and our hospital is absolutely astonishing,” he shares. “I work with a group of highly trained and skilled individuals who truly prove time and time again that we can do anything.”
Michael enjoys providing guidance to promote growth on his team. One of his key roles as a leader is to build a strong team so that everything is in good hands when he’s away. He quotes Tom Peters when he says, “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”
Michael also appreciates seeing how our ministry’s values come to life every day.
“During our daily safety huddle with our entire leadership team, there are multiple avenues discussed around the culture of safety and the compassion our staff have for all of the patients, team members and visitors,” he shares. “St. Francis Medical Center is truly a great place to work, and Bon Secours is an organization that I can honestly say I am proud to work for.”
Learn about the health care services we offer at Bon Secours.
