VCU news

By Michael Ford
University News Services

The VCU Medical Center has kicked off a new concierge program to provide services for patients, their families, faculty and staff about local hotels, restaurants, health spas, cab services, car rentals and VCU recreational sports facilities.

Located next to the information desk on the ground floor of the Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St., Julie Harrison, concierge with patient guest services, will provide assistance Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

"Many of our patients and their relatives that accompany them, are from out of town," Harrison said. "Hopefully, providing this service will alleviate some of the stress for these visiting families. When someone inquires about accommodations, I can provide a list of hotels and other services, assess any special needs and help them book their reservation from here."

Harrison has negotiated special rates from nearly two-dozen hotels and several other service providers through the VCU Medical Center Concierge Program. These rates will apply to patients and their family members, as well as VCU faculty and staff.

"This is a new service for the VCU Medical Center, and one that is needed by our patients, and will be appreciated by faculty and staff," said Jocelyn Oates, director of patient guest services. "We have been informally providing assistance similar to this, for our patients, for years on a case by case basis. Now we have someone assisting with those requests full time in a high visibility area."

The Department of Patient Guest Services also oversees valet parking and the information desks located throughout the medical complex. The information desks provide information about clinical services and their locations at the VCU Medical Center and outpatient satellite locations.

"I think the new concierge program is great for the VCU Medical Center," said Jennifer Pollard, liaison manager with the Radisson Hotel Historic Richmond. " A lot of people come in and need information about where to stay, where to eat, how to get a taxi. Julie has already done all the legwork. This is going to make things easier for patients and their families while at the VCU Medical Center."

For more information about the concierge program, call Julie Harrison at 628-1011.