Medstar wins Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Provider of the Year in the recently concluded 2024 Community Transportation Association of the Northwest (CTANW) Awards held on April 18th. This award, indeed, is a continuous testament to our commitment since Day 1 to deliver health and happiness through safe service.
Being listed as a nominee alongside other great NEMT providers is a feat on its own, but eventually winning the award is an achievement that proves how Medstar continuously makes its mark in the industry.
Here’s what Justin, Ahlisha, Brandy, and Sheena have to say about attending the CTANW Summit and receiving the Award on behalf of the Medstar Team:
Justin Bergener, CEo:
I've always believed in the power of teamwork, and I've seen firsthand how each of us contributes to delivering exceptional service. I dedicate this [NEMT of the Year] to the people that came before us. We all benefit from people who built bridges for us to cross, roads for us to travel, and planted trees for us to find shade. We're going the extra mile because of our predecessors. We all have someone who's inspired us and helped us achieve more. For me, that's my mom. In the early days and first decades of Medstar she put in the time to make sure Medstar provided 24/7 365 service to those that needed a ride to life-sustaining treatment or a doctor's appointment. I was honored to provide some of her life-sustaining trips after she had worked so hard to provide quality service for others. It was special for me to provide that service for her. It's with this heart of service that Medstar serves our communities by driving health and happiness.
Ahlisha Johnson, Operations Manager:
I am thrilled to announce that at this year's CTANW conference, we were honored with the NEMT Company of the Year award! This prestigious recognition is not just a testament to our enduring presence in the industry but also to each team member whose dedication makes our success possible.
During the conference, I had the invaluable opportunity to network and forge new relationships with many peers across the transportation sector. More than ever, I am convinced that the strength of our company lies in our unity and the shared commitment to our mission.
Reflecting on Medstar's 40-year journey, it became even clearer to me that our drivers are truly the wheels of our operation. Without relentless effort and dedication, none of this would be possible. To our drivers, this award is as much yours as it is ours. Let's continue to drive forward together, knowing that it's not just the roads we navigate, but the lives we touch and improve that measure our success.
I also heard from other companies how our dispatch and scheduling team’s quick responses enable us to accept more trips than our competitors. While I sympathize with their challenges, this feedback only reinforces my confidence in the efficiency and dedication of our team. You are truly setting the standard in our industry!
The conference also highlighted the empowering story of a speaker who, despite a disability that prevents her from driving, meticulously plans her routes across vast distances. This included a journey from Ocean Shores to Port Angeles, WA. Her determination and the statistics presented on Americans who are unable to drive remind us of the critical role we play in our community’s mobility and independence.
Brandy Dibble, Safety and Training Coordinator:
There was much to learn from the sessions I attended. The Travel Training session gave me many ideas, but the most important was to make training fun, not only for the drivers but the riders as well. Bussing on the lookout was a very educational session, [as] human trafficking is a worldwide issue and [it’s best that] we can be more on the lookout for signs or to discreetly offer help.
During the Roadeo roundtable, there was information on how to set up a roadeo locally. There are usually 11 obstacles that drivers will maneuver their vehicle through. There is a possibility of a roadeo during next year's CTANW conference, during which the winner may be sent to nationals at the CTAA conference.
Lastly, I attended Mental Health with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), recognized for providing relevant and research-based information, education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by mental health disorders. With an emphasis on preserving the dignity of all, NAMI provides hope and help to those impacted by mental health disorders and their families.
Moreover, winning NEMT Company of the Year is an awesome achievement for the operations and transportation department. Without our drivers, we would not be where we are today!
Sheena Northrup-Hoffert, Dispatch Manager:
The Conference was an eye-opening and very educational experience for me, as it was my very first conference I was allowed the pleasure of attending.
There, I learned that in some aspects, Medstar Transportation is ahead of the game, implementing several proactive measures and tasks in our daily operations that contribute to our continued success. For example, we have Weekly Admin Meetings to discuss and monitor KPIs regularly so they are addressed often and issues/concerns can be taken care of in a more efficient manner.
My key takeaway from the Conference was the information I gathered in 2 separate presentations. Those were the 211 Presentations with People for People. They discussed all the support and resources that 211 can provide when called and how it can benefit our clients when we are in a position where we have exhausted our resources and are unable to assist. I was so inspired by the amount of great work and knowledge that they spread that I plan on emailing CSRs and Dispatchers to start supplying this number to clients. I have reached out to our Call Center Supervisor Jeny to start having this information added to our training process.
The second was a presentation on Brokers and HCAs, what their role entails, and the challenges that they face daily in their positions. This intrigued the Dispatcher in me, as I felt it would benefit myself and my team to know the Brokers’ side of things and understand where their policies "tie their hands" just as ours do.
In conclusion, Medstar’s journey to the 2024 CTANW Transportation Summit reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of non-emergent medical transportation, we remain dedicated to driving health and happiness through safe and accessible service for all.