Patients will need valet even more now

We have lived in the area for roughly 45 years, first in Sleepy Hollow, then Dundee Township and now in Elgin. I have been a patient and used several of the outpatient services at Sherman Hospital. Our two daughters were both born at Sherman Hospital and my wife's doctors are all on staff at Sherman. We are strong supporters of the men and women who work at Sherman and we see the hospital as a cornerstone of our community.

I just learned that the CEO and board of directors of Advocate (I assume) have suspended the hospital's valet service for the summer. The logic behind this escapes me.

The pandemic is winding down, More of the doctors and their staffs are returning to normal office hours. I would assume that surgical procedures will increase because of the above. And all of the above will increase the number of visitors, many who would have used the Valet Service.

Maybe the board of directors should man the parking lots at Sherman for a week to see how many people with canes, on crutches or in wheelchairs have to struggle to get to the entrance of the hospital from the distant parking lots.

Then there are people with COPD, cancer or heart ailments who will have to increase their arrival times substantially just to make the hike to the entrance. God forbid that it rains, which will only increase the suffering of the hospital's patients and visitors.

Perhaps, if the bottom line of the hospital is in danger, the board members would be willing to take a reduction in the stipends that they receive. After all, their job is to see that the operation runs smoothly, not to make decisions that will impact the very people who depend on Advocate Sherman Hospital.

Jeff Beck

Elgin