University of Colorado Health and Columbine Health Systems have teamed to provide free transportation to designated medical locations in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley.
The “Connecting Health” van will begin service Nov. 5, picking up and dropping off riders Monday through Friday at Poudre Valley Hospital (PVH) and the University of Colorado Health Harmony Campus in Fort Collins, Medical Center of the Rockies (MCR) in Loveland and the Greeley Medical Clinic (GMC).
[Download the van schedule]
“Connecting Health van transport is a wonderful community service that was desperately needed to connect medical services in northern Colorado,” said Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat. “Community members are truly excited about the regional linkage.”
Connecting Health van highlights
- Rides are free to designated medical locations in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley.
- The van runs the full route three times a day and makes an additional trip to locations in Fort Collins and Loveland in the late afternoon.
- Riders do not need to schedule a ride.
- Download a schedule or call 970.495.8560.
Signs will be posted at each facility noting pick-up and drop-off locations. Those locations will include indoor waiting areas in case of bad weather.
The purpose of the service is to provide free rides for those who have medical appointments at those designated locations and need transportation, though anyone can use the service. Riders must be able to get on and off the van by themselves; no medical assistance will be available.
Riders do not need to schedule a ride.
The Connecting Health van’s initial route will take it from PVH to the Harmony Campus, then to MCR, GMC and back to MCR, Harmony and PVH. It will run the full route three times a day. The van will begin serving the Greeley Emergency and Surgery Center when the center opens Nov. 26, making that stop between MCR and GMC.
An additional route will run in the late afternoon between PVH, the Harmony Campus and MCR. The University of Colorado Health concierge team will be available at stop locations for questions or assistance.
“We heard the voice of the community, and we knew it was important to offer an alternative for people to get to their doctor,” said Russ Woolley, vice president of operations for MCR. “We see this as a way to improve the health of our community.”
The van can accommodate 13 ambulatory riders. The van cannot accommodate riders with wheelchairs.
The drivers are employees of the Columbine Health Systems transportation department.
“We know there’s a tremendous need for this service in the community, which is why it made sense to partner with a locally focused organization like University of Colorado Health,” said Yvonne Myers, director of Columbine Health Systems.
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That is no small accomplishment. I have had the opportunity to play golf and work with Russ for many years, and I can promise he is a fabulous golfer. But, better than that, he is a great person and a great leader.
