Good Shepherd Medical Center is celebrating 10 years of providing medical transportation to community members with an open house today.
In December 2006, Good Shepherd launched its CareVan program, providing rides to and from all Good Shepherd Health Care System-affiliated medical providers. It began in humble fashion with just a single van and a single driver. Today, it has two vans (a third is employed when calls for service are heavy), 12 volunteers drivers and provides approximately 47,000 a year.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The CareVan travels to Hermiston, Echo, Stanfield, Umatilla, Irrigon, and Boardman, encompassing the entire Good Shepherd service area. It is an Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant service provider.
The idea for a transportation program was one of Luther Fitch’s dreams for the hospital. Fitch served as chairman of the hospital board and was instrumental in the merger between Good Shepherd and the Umatilla Community Hospital. Fitch’s wife, Joyce, has made many contributions to the program in her husband’s name.
“I’m proud of what it has become,” she said.
Rides are complimentary, but the program welcomes any contributions that friends of CareVan Medical Transportation Services would like to make. Donation envelopes are available in each CareVan for riders. The program also relies on grant money to keep it operational. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to:
• Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, 610 NW 11th St., Hermiston, Ore., 97838
Good Shepherd’s Care Van program is always looking for drivers and dispatchers who are willing to volunteer one-half day per week on a regular basis. Driving shifts run from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Dispatch shifts are 8 to 11 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 2p.m.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call Cindy Schaan at 541-667-3690.
