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West Valley Hospital

Connections transportation services

 

Connections van drivers

Salem Health Connections is proud to serve patients with transportation needs in the Polk County area. Connections provides accessible transportation to and from medical appointments. The program is funded by the Salem Health West Valley Hospital Foundation and staffed entirely by West Valley Hospital volunteers. Patients who do qualify can rely on Connections transport for their medical appointments.

Our Connections drivers are specially screened and trained to provide rides timely, safely and efficiently. We are always looking for more great volunteers. See below.

Meet our Connections drivers 

The drivers that will come to your home to pick you up are top notch and ready to drive you to your appointment. Here are some of our drivers.

 

A dedicated Connections driver

Jim

 

Two Connection van drivers

Matt and Carolyn

 

A driver with the Connections van

John

 

Another volunteer ready to serve!

Rick

 

Schedule a Connections ride

While scheduling your Salem Health appointment, please ask to get scheduled for Connections. Rides needed for medical appointments outside Salem Health please call: 503-917-2113. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. First time riders are screened for eligibility. 

Hours

Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on holidays.

 

Become a volunteer driver

Help your neighbors get to their appointments!

Salem Health is always on the lookout for customer-service focused volunteers that want to make a difference.

 

Minimum requirements:

  • Has a desire to serve patients in Polk County.
  • Attend one four-hour volunteer shift weekly.
  • Have a valid driver's license.
  • Pass a background check.
  • Pass an annual driver's health assessment (cost covered).


Connections van services-2024
Connections van volunteer
Making a connection

John Love was a Salem-Keizer Cherriots transit operator and instructor for almost 40 years. Last summer, he decided to use his driving experience to volunteer.

After seeing an ad for Salem Health's Connections transportation services, John started volunteering in August 2024.

“Just helping out people and meeting new people regularly is worth it,” he said. “It’s a great, flexible volunteer opportunity.”

 

Read full article here

Support the Connections van program

Help patients in need through volunteering. Drive your vulnerable neighbors to their critical medical appointments in Polk County. 

This is a purely volunteer and philanthropy-driven transportation service — your support is greatly appreciated! If you're interested in supporting the Connections van program, please visit our donation page and select the option to designate your donation for Connections. You can also contact our volunteer coordinator at 503-917-2055. 

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, learn more on the Salem Health Volunteer Services page. 


History

The Connections van program began in 2001 as a community service at West Valley Hospital, then known as Valley Community Hospital. Hospital staff observed that many elderly and disabled patients struggled to find the transportation needed to attend medical appointments. This motivated the staff to find a solution. Their answer was the Connections van program. 

Program drivers help ensure that all members of Polk County can attend their medical appointments. 

Many of Salem Health’s departments managed Connections over the next few years. However, each department shared the same goal: helping those in need reach crucial appointments. 

Cherriots, our area's public transportation provider, has invested grant resources in the program since 2016. This meaningful participation enables the program to hire a ride coordinator, ensuring users have access to transportation services five days a week. In 2023, the Willamette Health Council generously donated funds to update our fleet with the purchase of a new van outfitted with a wheelchair lift, accommodating all our riders.