One of the many services Gritman Medical Center provides to the community is public transportation to and from healthcare appointments and Gritman’s Adult Day Health Center. The transportation program has been growing for the past 13 years, and, due to current demands, Gritman Medical Center has expanded our service to two full-time American Disability Act (ADA) compliant vans so we may meet the growing needs of our community in Latah County.

Through the Gritman Medical Center Foundation we were able to raise more than $23,000. Using this, along with a grant from the Federal Transportation Administration and Latah County, Gritman Medical Center has taken possession of an ADA Minivan and an ADA mini/mid size bus. The bus accommodates 14 passengers, including two wheelchair passengers. The new vans will better help us meet the needs of our medically-challenged community members.

The previous transportation program consisted of a 1993 panel van with a chair lift and one part-time driver. We transported 13 individuals on a regular basis and attempted to include additional trips as scheduling and availability allowed, sometimes transporting 30 individuals a week. Today, our average combined weekly transport is 85 to 90 passengers, not including additional needs as they arise.

The patients we are currently serving come from all corners of Latah County and parts of Whitman County with and without special and ADA needs. As a medical provider for Latah and the surrounding counties we feel it is in the community members’ interest if they have reliable transportation to and from medical visits.

In addition to the transportation of our fellow community members to programs that are offered at Gritman, we also offer this service to community members who are unable to attend other health-related appointments in our community.

Gritman Medical Center does not charge a fee for this service. We feel preventive medicine is the best way to achieve health and recovery from previous illness. Through this service an individual simply has to call Gritman Medical Center, give a valid reason for needing transportation and if we are able to schedule, then we are more than happy to do so. The requests for transportation continue to grow, and with two vans dedicated to transporting patients to and from appointments, more members of the community will be helped.

We look forward to the continued support we can provide to Latah County and it would not be possible without the help of our friends; Gritman Medical Center’s Foundation, Latah County, and the Federal Transportation Administration.

If you or any of your family or friends are in need of ADA transportation, please call Gritman Medical Center’s Transportation Office at (208) 883-6584 to schedule a ride.