Meet Joe Zant

Maintenance Mechanic

On any given day, you might find Joe Zant fixing a cable television problem in a patient's room or down in the basement with a pipe wrench untangling a complex plumbing problem.

When he left his job with the cheese factory in Hillsboro after 17 years, Joe was hoping for a job with more challenge and variety. In seven years with St. Joseph's, he has not been disappointed. An older building always has its share of problems, he says.

Joe is part of a staff of three, along with two part-time employees. Between them they manage a wide range of duties involving all of the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, lighting, fire alarm system, cable television, and telephone nursing system of St. Joseph's Hospital, Nursing Home and two clinics.

And don't forget the outside maintenance which also includes the very crucial job of providing security for the med-flight helicopter.

Because hospitals are 24/7 facilities, Joe takes his turn being on call for 24 hour shifts. When on call, he is the first person to be contacted in the event of any mechanical breakdown and also the first should a fire occur. His work often takes him into contact with the residents and patients, many whom are his friends and neighbors.

Joe and his wife, Carmen, live in Hillsboro and have four children who are ages 8-18.

If you have any questions about the maintenance operations of St. Joseph's Community Health Services, please contact Joe at 489-8000.