Taylor Regional Hospital – Hospitality Van Service

April 2018 - All too often Americans face difficult decisions about their health care. For Shirley Schulz the decision was whether or not to undergo the knee replacement that her doctor recommended. Shirley’s husband has Alzheimer’s and she is his primary caregiver. She worried about being able to get to and from rehab after the surgery. Lucky for Shirley, her hospital, Taylor Regional, was able to transport her to and from the rehab facility free of charge. With the support of this service, Shirley recovered the full use of her knee and she is able to continue care for her husband. She was so grateful for the service, Shirley now volunteers at the hospital.

Located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Taylor Regional Hospital launched its hospitality van service in 2007 when the hospital’s cancer center noticed that patients were missing their routine check-ups and radiation treatments. The vans pick up and drop off patients at the hospital, dialysis centers, cancer centers, rehab centers and other facilities. The service can lighten the load for family members taking their loved ones for frequent chemotherapy treatment or dialysis. And there is a clear need. In 2017 alone, the service’s two vans logged over 147,000 miles, running every day of the week from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“I think the best thing about our van service is that we can help someone who doesn’t have anyone else. The interaction between our drivers and our patients sometimes makes all the difference for the patient, who may not have anyone to talk to at home. I’m proud to say our drivers go above and beyond to help anyone who needs it. They really form a bond with all the patients and their families” expressed Cindy Rose, the program’s director.