It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to Andy Emes as he takes on a new role as Maintenance Manager for Peace Arch and Delta Hospitals. During his four years at VCH-Richmond, Andy has been a valuable team member and made a number of significant contributions to our Facilities Maintenance Department and to this site.
Andy has a background in the construction business, and joined Vancouver Coastal Health at VGH in 1993, where he worked as a foreman; and then for twelve years as a supervisor in charge of various trades. He came to Richmond in 2009 as Maintenance Supervisor. In this role Andy was responsible for all day to day and preventive maintenance along with various projects, such as the ER renovations; the MRI project; and significant improvements to the electrical distribution system at this site. Andy also played a key leadership role in several significant emergency situations such as telephone outages and last spring’s power failure.
In his time here, Andy introduced a number of beneficial changes to the Facilities Maintenance Department in the areas of customer service, work safety and team work. He was responsible for “putting a face on the maintenance department” and significantly improving processes, communication, quality and timeliness of service. Andy strongly believes in working together as a team to ultimately achieve the best patient care possible. He is well known for his calm and friendly disposition, helpfulness, collaborative approach to problem solving, willingness to provide leadership and be here whenever it is necessary (including all night!), his excellent listening skills and exemplary support of colleagues.
On behalf of your many friends and colleagues at VCH-Richmond we thank you, Andy, and wish you all the best in your new role at Fraser Health. Keep in touch, and we hope our paths cross again!