Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is introducing a new, eco-friendly service for the convenience of their patients. 

Starting this two week, CFVMC has two new electric cars replacing the older gas-powered golf carts they have been using to transport patients who need a lift to their parking spots. More specifically, the vehicles will be used to give rides around the medical center’s campus to and from the Cancer Center and the Pavilion Parking Deck. 

“We’re proud to announce that we’ve upgraded our golf cart shuttle support vehicle from a standard golf cart to a Global Electronic Motors car,” said Corporate Director of Patient Transport Frank Campbell. “The GEM is more than a golf cart, with enclosed doors rather than vinyl flaps as well as safety features such as windshield wipers and seatbelts.”

The GEM cars’ combined cost is $50,335, funded by donations to the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and Friends of the Cancer Center. The replacement of the golf cards will cut back on time and expenses from the frequent maintenance and downtime that the carts required and will cut down on exhaust emissions. 

“Patient and Visitor Shuttle Service provides a vital need for safe and timely movement for the patients and visitors throughout the health system’s main campus,” said Vice President of Foundation Sabrina Brooks. “These patients and visitors rely on the shuttle service when there are lower extremity difficulties or a disability that makes it harder to do prolonged walking from the parking lots to the main entrances.”

Especially at this time of the year, the cars prove to be helpful – the new vehicles offer a better experience during inclement weather and are easier to get out of for some patients. 

 Robert Glock of Hope Mills was one of the first riders this week in the four-seat car. 

“I think it’s really nice,” Glock said. “The open-air carts during the winter, well, you did the best you could in those, but this is nice.”