Washington University School of Medicine achieved national recognition after setting a record in facility management professional development with 81 staff members earning the Facility Management Professional (FMP®) credential in less than 4 months.

The FMP® designation is a knowledge-based credential for Facility Management professionals seeking to increase their depth-of-knowledge in the foundational skills deemed critical by industry leaders. Attaining the FMP® credential certifies the recipient has undertaken a prescribed course of study and exams covering four areas: operations and maintenance, project management, finance and business, and leadership and strategy.

ULI member Melissa Hopkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Assistant Dean of Facilities Management, believes that departmental sustainability expands beyond the physical environment.

“We understand that leadership development and furthering our staff core competencies are an integral part of changing the culture and enabling staff to embrace this strategy and change. Through the International Facility Management Association, we found the program which reflects the roles and responsibilities  in our department – from operations to finance, project management and leadership. Creating a balanced program will enable us to create balanced leaders.”

Through Melissa’s direct effort, involvement and support, 81 staff members from the Facilities Management Department at the School of Medicine, as well as two other departments at the School of Medicine, Facilities Management at the Danforth Campus, St. Louis University, Barnes Jewish Hospital and the Donald Danforth Plant Center have successfully earned the prestigious and rigorous IFMA FMP® credential since September. This level of effort has never been done before and Hopkins has now established Washington University School of Medicine as a National Leader in facility management education.

To learn more about Washington University School of Medicine’s Facilities Management Department, visit the department’s website.