MONROE - There are valet parking attendants and concierges in the lobby, but they aren't working in a luxury resort hotel, and they don't accept tips.
They are part of Monroe Clinic's customer services.
Linda Towne and Heather Kallembach were transferred from the clinic's parking lot shuttle service to the valet parking service this fall, when construction and increased traffic deemed it a better choice for patients and visitors.
The response from patients was so great that the clinic hired another valet attendant, Judy Mayer. When a fourth attendant comes aboard this week, Mayer will move to a dual role, working with valet parking and with lobby concierge Wendy Calkins.
"I like being outside and winter," said Towne, who has helped people to the clinic for four years.
"We do a lot of walking - it's good for the heart," she added. "Working here (at the clinic) inspires you to take care of your health."
The valet attendants take more than 100 vehicles a day, and on some days up to 160 vehicles, to a parking lot across 22nd Street, and return them to the front door when their owners are done with their appointments.
A simple tagging system keeps all the keys in order.
"We get a lot of regulars," Towne said, "and most people are very appreciative."
Towne said the valet service is also great for people who had to leave a very sick, injured or elderly patient sit in the entrance while they parked. Now, they can come in with them and leave the parking to her.
The attendants or concierge will also help patients to and from their appointments inside the clinic.
"Sometimes even the handicapped parking spaces are too far for some people to walk," Towne said.
Attendants will even run back to a vehicle to retrieve items patients have forgotten to take out.
"We've earned that much trust," Towne said.
The valet service is open to all patients. Still, some people resist the service - usually those who assure the attendants that they are able to park their vehicle themselves.
"I tell them, it's not about ability, it's about availability," Towne said.
They are part of Monroe Clinic's customer services.
Linda Towne and Heather Kallembach were transferred from the clinic's parking lot shuttle service to the valet parking service this fall, when construction and increased traffic deemed it a better choice for patients and visitors.
The response from patients was so great that the clinic hired another valet attendant, Judy Mayer. When a fourth attendant comes aboard this week, Mayer will move to a dual role, working with valet parking and with lobby concierge Wendy Calkins.
"I like being outside and winter," said Towne, who has helped people to the clinic for four years.
"We do a lot of walking - it's good for the heart," she added. "Working here (at the clinic) inspires you to take care of your health."
The valet attendants take more than 100 vehicles a day, and on some days up to 160 vehicles, to a parking lot across 22nd Street, and return them to the front door when their owners are done with their appointments.
A simple tagging system keeps all the keys in order.
"We get a lot of regulars," Towne said, "and most people are very appreciative."
Towne said the valet service is also great for people who had to leave a very sick, injured or elderly patient sit in the entrance while they parked. Now, they can come in with them and leave the parking to her.
The attendants or concierge will also help patients to and from their appointments inside the clinic.
"Sometimes even the handicapped parking spaces are too far for some people to walk," Towne said.
Attendants will even run back to a vehicle to retrieve items patients have forgotten to take out.
"We've earned that much trust," Towne said.
The valet service is open to all patients. Still, some people resist the service - usually those who assure the attendants that they are able to park their vehicle themselves.
"I tell them, it's not about ability, it's about availability," Towne said.