By Shea Wright

Dwayne 'Cody' Deschenes not only brings a strong sense of selfless service from his military background to his role as the facilities director at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, but his commitment also extends beyond maintaining the hospital’s infrastructure, fostering a sense of pride and safety for both the staff and community.

Having joined the team about seven months ago after a temporary assignment at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Deschenes quickly realized that working in rural health care presents its own unique challenges. But it is precisely these challenges that drive him to lead with resilience and purpose.
 
“When I first came to Community Memorial Hospital, I wanted to see what rural healthcare was really like,” Deschenes explained. “I’ll tell you, it’s hard to even use the word ‘team’ here — it feels more like a family. Everybody here is so close-knit. Everyone knows everyone. Honestly, I’m the one who doesn’t know everybody yet!”

This sense of community is at the core of what Deschenes values about working at CMH, and it’s what keeps him motivated to ensure that the hospital’s facilities reflect the dedication of the people who work within its walls.

“When [our patients] come to their hospital, they need to know they can take pride in it,” he said. “They should be able to walk in and see that the walls are freshly painted, the AC is pumping, floors are clean — everything is maintained to the highest standard.”

Cody Deschenes, a veteran of the U.S. Army, continues to embody “LDRSHIP” in his new role at Community Memorial Hospital. The acronym stands for: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. (Contributed photos)

Deschenes said he believes that the appearance and functionality of a hospital directly impacts how people feel when they seek care. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about creating an environment where patients and staff alike feel secure and supported.

That dedication to safety is something Deschenes honed after spending 16 years in the U.S. Army, including multiple oversees deployments.

“In the Army, you learn the value of being prepared and the importance of having systems in place to handle the unexpected,” he said. These are the same principles that guide his work today, as he oversees the daily operations and maintenance of the hospital’s infrastructure. “The military, I think taught me to never stop improving your position and always continue to learn.”

Prioritizing preparation also helps Deschenes’ team execute problems in real time. Facilities Engineering Supervisor Samuel Walker, who has been with the CMH facilities team for five years, agrees that this view comes in handy when solving problems quickly.

“Decisions are made with some quick thought and are executed. We don't schedule a meeting to make a process to evaluate an issue. There is a commonsense approach that saves time, money, and provides direction,” Walker said.

Challenges sometimes make for even greater opportunities

One of the most significant challenges Deschenes faces as the facilities manager in a rural setting is limited local resources. Unlike urban areas, rural health care facilities like CMH often rely on resources from neighboring cities, this requires strategic planning and adaptability to meet the hospital’s needs.

“We don’t have the same access. We’re often waiting on vendors to come from Richmond, and that impacts our response time for getting things fixed,” Deschenes said.

But for Deschenes, these obstacles are not deterrents — they are opportunities to push his team towards greater resilience. He emphasizes the importance of preventative maintenance on medical equipment, a principle he has championed since his arrival at CMH.

“By being proactive, we’re not only extending the life of our equipment but also preventing potential issues from becoming crises. It’s all about staying ahead of the game,” he added.

Currently, efficiency is the name of the game for Deschenes’ team. When a work order is submitted at CMH, the facilities team completes the task in about 1.7 days, and currently boasts a 100% satisfaction rate from peers.

This is a huge win for the hospital, which was recently ranked among Becker’s Top 350 Cleanest Hospitals for 2024.

In the Army, you learn the value of being prepared and the importance of having systems in place to handle the unexpected. The military, I think taught me to never stop improving your position and always continue to learn.

Cody Deschenes, facilities director of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital and U.S. Army veteran

Deschenes’s passion for keeping CMH in top condition goes beyond the technical aspects of his job. It’s also about the people who work there and the community they serve.

“He impressed me when he held his first Environment of Care Committee meeting,” said Stephanie Kidd, the facilities operations coordinator who has been with CMH for 23 years. “[Cody] had set up the conference table with water, note pads snacks and ink pens for all the members along with the agenda. When I commented how nice that was, he said he liked people to come to his meetings and feel welcome and appreciated for their time.”

“The people who work in this hospital live in this community, and they take pride in the facility. [They] care, and it shows in every corner of this building,” Deshanes said.

Outside of work, Deschenes is preparing for one of the most exciting chapters of his life— becoming a father for the first time. Despite the whirlwind of responsibilities at both work and home, Deschenes remains focused on the future of CMH and his role to create a hospital environment that is safe, clean, and dependable.

“There’s no greater feeling than knowing that when patients walk through these doors, they can trust that they are in a safe, well-maintained environment. And that’s a direct reflection of the dedication of our team — our CMH family,” Deschenes said.