Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Ground Ambulances
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County proudly marked the official launch of the new LifeTrans Ground Ambulance Programs’ two ground ambulances, Apollo and Atlas, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony January 27, 2023 at the District’s acute care hospital, Lakeside Medical Center, in Belle Glade.
More than 60 community members, elected officials, community leaders and Health Care District Board members joined Health Care District team members to celebrate the new program.
The ambulances serve Health Care District patients, providing 24/7 emergency advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) transport services, as well as secondary ALS transport services. One of the ambulances is based at Lakeside Medical Center to support the safe and rapid transport of hospital patients needing a higher level of care. The other is based at the District’s skilled nursing facility in Riviera Beach, the Edward J. Healey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Darcy Davis, Chief Executive Officer for the Health Care District, delivered the opening remarks. “Today is a milestone for the Health Care District and the patients we proudly serve here in the Glades and across the county,” said Davis. “Our interfacility ambulance transportation program is dedicated to reducing wait times and expanding access to care in Palm Beach County.”
The ambulances also provide transfer of patients who have suffered an acute episode related to substance use disorders from Palm Beach County hospitals to the 24/7 Addiction Stabilization Unit at HCA Florida JFK North Hospital in West Palm Beach or to other specialized treatment centers. After the ribbon cutting, attendees had the opportunity to tour the new ambulances.
“The Health Care District continues to fill in the health care gaps for our residents by adding resources where there is a need,” added Tammy Jackson-Moore, secretary of the Health Care District Board, who addressed the crowd. “Patients want to know that they’re receiving the highest quality care as quickly as possible and these ground ambulances ensure that.”
Event speakers also included Kenneth Scheppke, MD, Deputy Secretary for Health, Florida Department of Health, and Belle Glade Vice Mayor, Joaquin Almazan. Dr. Rev. Robert Rease, City Manager of Belle Glade and senior pastor at St. John First Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the invocation. Among the attendees were Rep. Mike Caruso, Florida House of Representatives, South Bay Mayor Joe Kyles, Pahokee Mayor Keith Babb and the three new members of the Health Care District’s Board of Commissioners, Tracy Caruso, Patrick Rooney and Carlos Vidueira, recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron Desantis.