OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center will be offering concierge services to its employees, patients and guests through a contract with Avascend Healthcare Hospitality beginning on November 3. Avascend will also assume the operations of valet parking for Medical Center patients and guests. On Monday, January 5, 2009, valet parking will be further extended to patients of and visitors to the OSF Center for Health - Rock Cut location at Perryville Road and Route 173 in Loves Park. ”The concierge services will provide a valuable benefit to and support of our employees who have many personal demands, and they will serve our patients and families who may be dealing with difficult times in their lives,” states Karen Brown, vice president of human resources and operations at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. “We are pleased to partner with Avascend for our concierge and valet parking services.” Avascend’s healthcare hospitality services are designed to support patients and visitors during a time when assistance is most valuable, allowing them to focus on their health and the health and experience of their loved ones. Avascend specializes in creating a lasting, positive impression for the patients, visitors and employees of healthcare facilities. The result is a measurable increase in patient flow, improved patient satisfaction and increased retention of healthcare professionals. “Avascend has always believed that parking and logistics are ultimately about people. Avascend is a front-of-house company – focused on not just patient flow and logistics but on the total patient, guest, employee and physician experience.” says Dave Geenens, president/CEO of Avascend.