VA Bedford Showcases Facilities Staff for National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week
BEDFORD, MA - Rick Michaud may have retired from 24 years of active duty service with the U.S. Navy in 2014, but he continues serving Veterans today as Chief of Engineering at VA Bedford Healthcare System.
Michaud got his start as an Aerospace Medicine technician in the Air Force followed by the Air National Guard. He later earned his engineering degree and became a Seabee, part of the naval construction battalions. During this time, Michaud deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan where he oversaw construction of combat outposts supporting Marines and Iraqi security forces.
After retiring from the Navy, Michaud quickly began a new role doing facilities management at the VA's Brockton Campus. In 2017 he became Chief of Engineering at the Bedford VA Medical Center.
The Bedford campus is the second oldest in the VA system, having opened in 1928. It has remained largely unchanged since expansions during the Vietnam War era. Michaud's experience managing construction projects in the Navy prepared him well for maintaining the historic buildings and infrastructure.
According to Michaud, "We have some highly skilled trades and apprenticeship programs, teaching people from apprentice up to licensed electricians and plumbers." He added, "We're focused on caring for Veterans and making this facility functional for the future."
This National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week, Michaud hopes to showcase the facilities staff and tradespeople that keep the campus running through tours and events. As he put it, "I want to highlight the unsung heroes who keep this campus operating."