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The Wheels of Wellness program announced recently that a new van has been placed in service for the program.

The new van is a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Wheels of Wellness is a program that provides transportation services to and from healthcare appointments and treatments for Escambia County, Ala. pediatric patients and expected mothers without other means of transportation. These transportation services are offered for both local healthcare appointments as well as healthcare appoints at larger medical facilities for medical treatments not available in Escambia County.

“The Healthcare Authority is very appreciative of our partnership with Jim Peach Motors,” said Debbie Rowell, chairman of the Healthcare Authority. “From start to finish, it was obvious that all the staff at Jim Peach Motors wanted to provide us the best, so we can in turn provide the best for our patients.”

Wheels of Wellness is under the leadership of program Director Chad Hartley.

Hartley is a one man show as the administrator, scheduler and driver for the program. Hartley previously worked in a chemical laboratory at a local carpet manufacturer. He is a graduate of Troy University, Jefferson Davis Community College and T.R. Miller High School. To schedule a transportation appointment, please contact Mr. Hartley at 251-809-8440.

“I would like to thank our entire supporting community member for their ongoing partnership with the Escambia County Healthcare Authority, in making the Wheels of Wellness program a success,” said Chris B. Griffin, Escambia County Healthcare Authority CEO. “Without the continued support of our community partners the Wheels of Wellness program would not be possible.”

The Wheels of Wellness program started as a transportation service for the children of Escambia County needing health care services not available in the local area and later expanded to include transportation for expected mothers. The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, The Escambia County Healthcare Authority and various other community organizations collaborated to start the program in October of 2006. Since the inception of the program, Wheels of Wellness has provided approximately 2,950 trips, which total over 315,000 miles traveled.

The program operates on an average monthly operating budget of about $2,700, or $32,500 annually.