As project manager, Ramona Tumblin-Rucker oversees three projects within the Washington University/BJC Medical Center Campus Renewal Project: the East Parking Garage, Duncan/Taylor Sewer Expansion and campus bridge connector projects. Her responsibilities include ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
The 10-year Campus Renewal Project will renew the medical center campus on Kingshighway Boulevard, encompassing BJC HealthCare’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, along with Washington University School of Medicine. The Campus Renewal Project is estimated to cost $1 billion, according to a 2013 media report.
“BJC is a leader as far as diversity efforts are concerned,” Tumblin-Rucker said. “Number one, they’ve hired Marks and Associates.”
Diversity consultant Marks and Associates, led by president and CEO Sandra Marks, joined the Campus Renewal Project in September 2012. Tumblin-Rucker said Marks and Associates has played an intricate role in securing diverse talent for the project.
On November 14, BJC will receive the 2014 Corporate Diversity of the Year Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 15th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, with a networking reception at 11 a.m. and luncheon program at noon.
“We are honored by this recognition,” said Steven H. Lipstein, president & CEO, BJC HealthCare. “Our mission of improving the health of the patients and communities we serve is our guide in all we do. As the largest provider of health care services in the region, we serve all members of our community, respecting the racial, cultural and other dimensions of diversity that reflect who we are as a community.
BJC has increased representation of diverse candidates at senior management and board leadership levels of the organization. Through August 2014, 41 minority business enterprise and 19 women business enterprise contractors – representing design, engineering and construction – have been working on the Campus Renewal Project. As of August 2014, 25 percent of procurement has been with MBE and WBE firms. BJC has not set specific participation goals for the Campus Renewal Project.
ABNA Engineering is among a number of M/WBEs working on Tumblin-Rucker’s East Parking Garage Project. The 3,000-car garage will serve employees, staff and students for the College of Pharmacy as well as Washington University/BJC Medical Center and is expected to be completed August 2015, she said.
Castle Contracting, a WBE firm, is working on the Duncan/Taylor Sewer Expansion. The underground expansion and improvement project will separate the storm and waste sewer line down Duncan Avenue. It will also improve water flow from the East Parking Garage Project and other projects into a separate storm and sanitary system, she said.
The campus bridge connector project will link multiple parking garages, including the St. Louis Children’s employee parking garage, new East Parking garage, Duncan/Taylor Parking garage and the MetroLink Parking Garage.
Tumblin-Rucker has 25 years of experience in construction, engineering and project management. She said she has a proven track record in successfully managing complex, multi-phase, multi-million dollar construction projects.
“As society becomes more technical,” she said, “we must become a more educated society.”
She received a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, as well as master degrees in management from Oklahoma City University and project management from DeVry University. She is currently working on her doctorate in management at Webster University.
She is a longtime member of the National Association of Black Engineers and is a product of the INROADS Program.
“It was the INROADS Program that introduced me to engineering and the possibility that a woman, particularly a woman of color, could attempt to be an engineer in a male-dominated industry,” she said.
Tumblin-Rucker said she is honored to work at BJC in the position of project manager and hopes to inspire minority youth to pursue careers interest in STEM-related careers.
“I hope my presence on the project and within the corporate arena at BJC is something younger people see and know that they can work toward that position as well,” she said.
BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, with 2013 net revenues of $4 billion. BJC operates 12 hospitals and employs 26,583 staff, including 3,900 physicians.
“We are honored by this recognition,” said Steven H. Lipstein, president & CEO, BJC HealthCare. “Our mission of improving the health of the patients and communities we serve is our guide in all we do. As the largest provider of health care services in the region, we serve all members of our community, respecting the racial, cultural and other dimensions of diversity that reflect who we are as a community.
“We are focused on sustainable progress year over year in diversity and inclusion as evidenced by employee hiring and promotions, as well as vendor and contractor relationships, knowing that being more diverse and inclusive is a continuing journey for BJC and our community,” Lipstein said. “Recognitions such as this inspire us to do better, and not to be satisfied or complacent.”
The 15th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, networking reception at 11 a.m., luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for VIP/Preferred seating, $75 for general admission. Call 314-533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
