Sparks Regional Medical Center adds new valet service

Visits to the doctor just became a little easier for Sparks patients thanks to the hospital’s newly added valet parking service. Sparks Regional Medical Center recently began offering this service to patients, family members and visitors of patients in an effort to make visitation a little less stressful, according to Michelle Pike, director of volunteer services and the 55 Plus program at Sparks.

“We thought that this would be the best way to give back to our patients. It has a direct, positive impact on them,” said Pike.

Patients and visitors may either drive their vehicle up to the circular drive at the hospital’s main entrance or to the Cancer and Lung Center entrance at the northwest part of the hospital, said Pike; their work stops as soon as they hand the valet their keys.

Parking is available from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays at the main entrance and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the northwest entrance. Ambassadors Plus provides the service. 

Ambassadors Plus parks visitor and patient cars at nearby Evangel Temple and near Sparks’ laundry area. Pike said that this service would not be available on holidays.

Michelle Wallace, owner of Ambassadors Plus, said, “Each person is given a claim tag, and when they are ready, we run to go get their vehicle for them.”

The valet service came about as a result of frequent lack of parking that had previously been seen at the medical center. The new valet service is possible thanks to a joint sponsorship from the Sparks Womans Board and the Sparks Guild, said Pike.

Pike continued to comment, “This is a free service for our patients and provided through revenue through the Sparks Guild’s gift shop and from This ‘N That Thrift Shoppe.”

The main entrance is usually staffed by four valet members dressed in red Polo shorts, black pants or shorts and black running shoes while the northwest entrance is manned by one or two valets.

“Yesterday, we parked 104 cars, but I’d say our average is a little over 80 cars per day. We anticipated that the average would be somewhere around 60 cars, but this response has been phenomenal,” Wallace said. “The patients and families are so happy to have it. Many patients said they wouldn’t be able to make it into the building if it weren’t for the valet service. One lady brought herself in, and she had a broken foot. She obviously couldn’t have walked from a parking space that was far way up to the hospital, so this is helping.”

Wallace also said that caregivers find relief in the valet parking areas when valet staff members help locate a wheelchair. The service, however, most likely won’t extend to weekends, according to Pike.

“We try to do this when the majority of patients can be positively impacted. Parking isn’t as problematic on the weekends,” said Pike.

According to Pike, the valet service has been much needed for a long time. She and her staff, as well as the patients, appreciate the service and the sponsorship from the Womans Board and Guild.

“The Sparks Womans Board is the first and oldest volunteer organization in the state of Arkansas,” Pike said. “The Sparks Guild has given more than $3 million to Sparks, and the Womans Board has given a substantial amount as well. It’s really great that both are doing this for the valet parking service.”

Both Wallace and Pike said the feedback from patients and family members is positive on a daily basis. Also, Pike believes the program seems to be growing in popularity from week to week.

“We just had someone come in from Booneville who was contacted to come in here and tell us how much people in Booneville appreciate this valet parking service,” Pike said. “Not only is the valet parking program helping our community on a local level, but it is also reaching out to our neighboring communities.”  

Pike also said that valets do not ask for tips, but they do accept them. Wallace added, “And people have, sometimes, given us tips too. They’ve given us tips of advice, actually. Some have given advice in the form of saying that they want the valet service to be here next year, also. They really like and appreciate this service.”