Extra Patient Parking Opens at Ben Taub
New lot, changes well received by staff
 

Sharing a shuttle ride to Ben Taub from the W. Leland Lot are (L-R) Mack, Wilson and Davis.

Finding parking at Ben Taub Hospital is now easier for patients thanks to a new off-site parking lot for employees. The parking changes for employees and patients began June 1.

Patients now have 150 extra spaces in the Ben Taub parking garage after fences separating employee and patient parking areas were removed. Employees now park in one of three assigned places: the Ben Taub garage, the TMC Brown lot or the new W. Leland lot off State Highway 288 and South MacGregor.

Jesse Ruiz, Assistant Administrator at Ben Taub Hospital, said the goal of all parking changes is to make patient hospital visits more convenient.

“Now patients can make their appointments and not worry about finding a parking space,” he said. “Before, if they were late, their appointments would have to be rescheduled or canceled.”

As for employees, the adjustment is going well.

“We’ve been working through it all, and I would say most of the comments we receive from employees are positive,” Ruiz said. “You can’t please everyone all the time, but we are trying. We continue to make adjustments as needed.”

Evangeline Mack, Pharmacist and a nine-year HCHD employee, gives parking changes good marks.

“Surprisingly, it’s been working well,” she said. “I appreciate the continuum of service provided. I’ve seen little lag time between the time I get here and get picked up, or when I’m ready to leave and get dropped off at the parking lot.”

Her major concern – and one that Ruiz said administration is addressing soon – is construction of a canopy and seating area for those waiting for shuttles at the W. Leland Lot.

Shuttle Driver Jumarkus Wilson of the Transportation Department said he’s had busloads of happy riders.

Pamela Davis, Nurse Instructor and a 16-year HCHD employee, is more lukewarm about parking changes.

“If we had to be out of the parking garage for the patients, then this is the best choice for us,” she said. “However, I would say it’s not user-friendly. There are many of us who constantly leave for meetings or other job duties.”

Her job calls for holding nurse-training sessions at Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals, she said.