Derek Vignault

Each time he starts his workday, Derek Vignault has a goal – to ensure all electrical systems at Baystate Medical Center and other Springfield locations remain in working order without any interruptions to patient care or team member workflow. He’s one of the team members “behind the precision.”

Derek, a lifelong Ludlow resident who has been an electrician at Baystate for 14 years, knows every aspect of the hospital’s electrical systems, which run everything from medical equipment to the lights overhead; from kitchen appliances to desktop computers.

“There’s a lot of complexity behind the scenes to keeping a hospital up and running,” he says. “My coworkers and I intimately know our electrical systems here – what it takes to keep the power running.”

On any given day, you may find Derek addressing the small task, like replacing a light bulb, to the large, like inspecting the hospital’s generators to ensure they are ready to go in the event of a power shutdown. He might be assisting with safely turning off power for construction occurring in one part of the hospital, or brainstorming with local contractors for an upcoming project.

Sometimes circumstances beyond the hospital’s control occur, like a transmission line power failure or emergency planning for a winter storm, but Derek and others at Baystate have a plan for any situation that may arise, and are ready to spring into action to put that plan into place.

Derek, who says he’s never cared for the idea of a “desk job,” loves the variety and complexity of his work, and solving problems before they happen.

People may not realize all of the engineering work that goes into keeping a hospital running smoothly, Derek notes — nor should they, as their focus should be on getting well. “Whether that’s the HVAC system to maintain the right temperatures, plumbing for proper water supply, or electrical. Every day we are working to support patient care and an exceptional experience.”