Michele Smith

Columbia County Health System has received an award in the amount of four thousand dollars from Bill Clemens, Regional Business Manager for Pacific Power (center), to help with the purchase of a new Ford Transit van, to shuttle patients back and forth from their homes to medical appointments. CEO Shane McGuire (right) said both of the District's vans have exhausted their useful life, and that hospital officials hope to avoid paying for a van out of the operations budget. President of the Hospital Board of Commissioners Bob Hutchens (left) said the new van will be purchased through a company specializing in mobility transportation. The van will be up-fitted to accommodate two wheelchairs, or one gurney, for an estimated total cost of around $55,000.00.