In a recent discussion between Cref Regional President Patrick Murphy and VP of Business Development Peter Martin, a critical—and often overlooked—challenge in healthcare rose to the surface: the aging facilities management workforce.
“At Cref, you know, the aging issue is the biggest issue that we have in the country in healthcare, period,” Patrick said.
And he’s not talking about patients. He’s talking about the skilled professionals who keep hospitals and health systems running safely and efficiently—engineers, facility directors, and technicians who are nearing retirement at alarming rates.
“It’s not just about facilities,” Patrick continued. “It’s nurses, it’s doctors, it’s everybody.” But in the context of facilities, this aging trend is creating a knowledge gap that could compromise hospital operations, safety, and compliance if left unaddressed.
Why is this happening? Patrick points to a generational lag in embracing innovation. “It’s the waiting for the software train and the technology train to come pick us up,” he explains. Legacy systems, outdated processes, and institutional inertia are compounding the issue, leaving organizations unprepared to recruit, train, and retain the next wave of talent.
“We need to have the market understand what they need,” Patrick emphasizes. “And selfishly, until that happens, they’re not going to know that craft.”
At Cref, the mission is clear: solve this problem before it becomes a crisis. That starts with rigorous assessment—baselining operations, understanding critical gaps, and providing targeted recommendations. “That’s why we always baseline and analyze the situation,” Patrick says.
Solving the facilities workforce crisis isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about strategic succession planning, cross-training, digital transformation, and most importantly: recognizing the institutional value held by those nearing the end of their careers.
If healthcare is to thrive in the decades ahead, the industry must treat this workforce issue with the urgency it deserves. Because behind every safe, functioning healthcare facility is a team of people whose expertise can’t be replaced overnight.
If you’re interested in hearing more from Patrick Murphy on the aging workforce challenge in healthcare facilities, watch the full interview below.
The Aging Issue
Hospitals are facing a tough reality: aging employees, aging buildings, aging infrastructure—with no clear bench behind them.
This isn’t just a maintenance issue. It’s a leadership challenge.
At Cref, we help healthcare systems get ahead with interim support, workforce development, and strategies to preserve critical institutional knowledge.
Let’s solve the aging crisis—together.
Learn how Cref helps hospitals turn crisis into opportunity.
