Weary patients will get a lift

Between you and the Carson City hospital are 710 parking spaces and the gusty winter wind. Start walking.

The hike may be even more imposing for the sick or disabled, or those who can't find a parking space nearer to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. And that's the case for many people who visit the hospital during the midday rush.

Starting Monday after 1 p.m., patients and visitors can catch a golf cart to the medical center. The cart has three bench seats and can seat several people, said medical center spokeswoman Cheri Glockner. She said the hospital auxiliary purchased the shuttle for $12,800 for use on the 85-acre medical campus. The 352,000-square-foot hospital is in the center of the campus overlooking Eagle Valley.

"There are some parking areas farther away," she said. "You have people who are not in the best shape having to walk for a long time. So, the auxiliary thought the shuttle would be a good service for patients and families."

The shuttle will make rounds through the medical center parking lot Sunday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. The shuttle will also take passengers between the Sierra Surgery & Imaging, 1400 Medical Parkway, and the hospital, 1600 Medical Parkway. The shuttle will stop at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center and Merriner Cottages, located on the northwest side of the Medical Parkway loop, once these buildings are open. The cancer center is expected to open in early fall. The 15 cottages, which will be used by heart surgery and cancer patients, should be in use by mid-August.

The auxiliary will cover maintenance of the shuttle. Carson Tahoe's Volunteer Services Department will manage the shuttle service. Six drivers from volunteer services will operate the shuttle.

Carolyn Knutson, president of the 194-member auxiliary, said the organization was looking for a new project after it had raised $250,000 for the cancer center.

"We went looking for other items to do and Ed Epperson (hospital chief executive officer and president) gave us four or five things to do," she said. "The shuttle was one of them. Our group thought that was a wonderful idea. There are 85 acres on that campus, and if you need to walk from Sierra Surgery up to the hospital it would be difficult. We thought it would be lovely to have the shuttle."

She said the auxiliary raised the money through fundraising in 2005.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.