In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Steven Atkins, the Director of Facilities Management at Methodist University Hospital.

They discuss Steven's journey into healthcare facilities management, the unique challenges faced in this sector, and the importance of compliance and paperwork. Steven shares insights on documenting tribal knowledge, emergency preparedness, and building a culture of safety.

The conversation also delves into sustainability efforts and capital projects, emphasizing the role of optimization in achieving energy efficiency and cost savings.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare facilities management involves navigating complex regulations and compliance requirements.
• Capturing tribal knowledge is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency in aging facilities.
• Emergency preparedness requires a multidisciplinary approach and regular drills.
• Sustainability initiatives can lead to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
• Building trust with administration is essential for successful emergency management programs.

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Summary

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton is joined by industry veteran Michel Theriault to unpack a recurring pain point in facilities management: the lack of fit-for-purpose tools and the undervaluation of FM’s strategic role.

With decades of experience in in-house, outsourced, and consulting environments, Michel shares compelling insights on:

• Why many organizations still use subpar or misaligned systems (like IT helpdesks) to manage complex FM needs

• The consequences of not advocating for specialized FM software (like CMMS or CAFM platforms)

• How poor interdepartmental collaboration—especially with IT—can derail initiatives for years

• The importance of positioning FM as a strategic function, not just a tactical one

• Practical advice for facility managers to gain business fluency, advocate for better tools, and communicate their impact

• The value of professional development

Interested in learning more? Reach out to Michel on LinkedIn

This weeks guest is David Stephenson, Studio Principal (Smart Building Studio) at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

In this episode, Griffin and David talk about the evolution of smart building technology and its implementation in facilities management.

David shares his extensive experience in the industry, discussing the challenges faced by facility managers, the importance of change management, and best practices for technology adoption.

If you'd like to learn more about Little's Smart Building Studio, check out their brochure here.

00:00 Introduction to Smart Building Technology

03:01 David's Journey in Facilities Management

05:48 Challenges in the FM Industry

09:01 Best Practices for Change Management

12:01 Implementation Strategies for Technology

15:04 Integrating Smart Building Technologies

18:06 Taking the First Steps in Tech Adoption