SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Medical Center has made going to the doctor’s office more convenient by expanding its valet parking service to both Medical Plaza North and Medical Plaza South and the Rehab Center. This service is completely free, and valets do not accept tips.

According valet Santos Ramirez, the valet parking service has been welcomed and appreciated by visitors, staff and physicians alike.

“It’s really a convenient service for folks who are injured or feel sick, and especially for the very elderly or people who have a hard time walking,” said Santos.

More than 200 people have taken advantage of the courtesy service since it became available at the North and South Medical Plazas and Rehab Center last month. Valet service is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The valets assist patients into and out of their vehicles, park the vehicles, and deliver them back to the building entrance when patients and guests are ready to leave,” said Karla Edwards, director of Service Excellence. “Our patients and visitors definitely appreciate having their cars parked and picked up, but I think they’re also impressed by the ‘little’ things the valets do to help people and brighten their day.”

The “little things” refers to simple tasks, such as delivering things to a provider’s office for someone who doesn’t have the time to park. A valet once even ran after a patient’s dog that jumped out of the car window.

Ramirez has been known to tell his elderly patients how pretty they look. Some have cried and even said, “Do you know how long it’s been since a man has told me I’m pretty?”

According to Edwards, valet Justin Vogel was so nice and friendly when he asked a visitor not to smoke that the man actually thanked him when the encounter was over.

If there were a prize for doing that “little something extra,” it would probably go to Ramirez, who danced at the entrance to Medical Plaza North with a 96-year-old woman who said she hadn’t danced since her husband had passed away – some 40 years ago.

“She was all dressed up when she arrived for her appointment so I told her that she looked so pretty, she should be out dancing. She laughed and said, ‘Let me teach you the foxtrot,’ and she did, right here in front of the building,” said Ramirez.

Regional West continues to offer free valet service at the Medical Center’s main entrance. Wheelchairs and other assistance are available, at all entrances, for patients and visitors with special needs.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.