#IamMGH - Meet Desmond Carr

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Desmond Carr, chief operating engineer and manager of plant operations at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).“Engineers play a key role in a healthcare facility. With the goal of providing comfort to the patients, volunteers and staff members, our team makes sure that the hospital continues to run and that it runs efficiently.

I wanted to be an engineer from day one. I’ve always been amazed by how things work, so engineering is the perfect vehicle for me. But it did not come easy. I worked three jobs in high school to ensure I had the resources to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in engineering. I’ve now worked in the field for 34 years and have a number of trade licenses including a Diploma in Power Plant Engineering and certifications in Advanced Mechanical Engineering. Without engineering, I don’t know where I would be; it’s the only thing I want to do.

During the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team, led by the director of engineering Schubert Martin, began preparations for an expected surge in patients. Within a matter of days, we created 32 new negative pressure rooms. These rooms draw in air from adjacent spaces, keeping organisms and contaminants that are spread through the airborne route from escaping into surrounding space. This helps keep the staff and surrounding patients safe. It was challenging to say the least, but with the right people in place and proper resources, you can do anything. We are fortunate to have that here at MGH.”