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Facility Voices

Building an Employee Retention Program

31:07 minNOVEMBER 17, 2023 DAVID TRASK, NATIONAL DIRECTOR, ARC FACILITIES

In this week’s episode of Facility Voices, Bert Gumeringer, Senior VP of Facility Operations at Texas Children’s Hospital, sits down with the host of Facility Voices, David Trask, to share his insights into Texas Children's unique challenges, and the innovative employee retention program that's making waves. From personalized welcome letters to one-on-one sessions with executives, this program goes beyond the norm, fostering a strong connection between leadership and staff.

Bert reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on Texas Children's and how the organization invested in its employees during challenging times. From financial bonuses to maintaining a strong connection with remote workers, the hospital prioritized the well-being of its staff, creating a sense of loyalty that extends beyond the workplace.  Bert emphasizes the importance of an organizational culture that fosters growth, development, and a sense of belonging. He shares stories of employees who started at entry-level positions and, through opportunities provided by Texas Children's, rose to managerial roles in various departments.  Bert reveals the unique family atmosphere within the organization, where employees feel part of something bigger than just a job.

Join us for an engaging conversation that goes beyond facility management, showcasing the human side of running a major healthcare institution.

 

Bert M. Gumeringer is the Sr. Vice President for Facilities Operations at Texas Children’s Hospital located in Houston, Texas. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (FASHE) and a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM).

In his current role, Bert is responsible for more than 10 million sf of space, 953 licensed beds and 1,200 FTE’s in the departments of Facilities Engineering, Environmental Services, Organizational Resilience, Patient Escort, Security Services, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability, Visitor Management Services, Parking and Valet Parking and at Texas Children’s. Bert has over 35 years of healthcare related experience with his last twenty years at Texas Children’s H

Bert served as a Life Safety Code Consultant for Joint Commission Resources, is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the ASHE Faculty teaching the CHFM Preparation, CHC and Healthcare Construction Management programs. Bert previously served as the President of the Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management (TAHFM) and is a lifetime member of TAHFM and ASHE.

He holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Technology from the University of North Dakota.

Bert Gumeringer

Bert Gumeringer

Senior Vice President Facilities Operations

Texas Children’s Hospital

Bert M. Gumeringer is the Sr. Vice President for Facilities Operations at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. A Fellow of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (FASHE) and a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), he oversees over 10 million sq. ft. of space, 953 licensed beds, and 1,200 FTEs across multiple departments. With over 35 years of healthcare experience, including 20 years at Texas Children’s, he has served as a Life Safety Code Consultant and teaches ASHE certification programs. Bert holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and an MS in Industrial Technology from the University of North Dakota.

Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page.

 

The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

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