September 4, 2019
“CHOOSE YOUR RIDE” CAR DONATED TO THEDACARE
Bergstrom and ThedaCare Urge Safe Choices
NEENAH, Wis. – Those living in Northeast and Central Wisconsin may soon notice a unique car featured at community events. A “Choose Your Ride” car, which is half police car, half taxi, has recently been donated by Bergstrom Automotive to be used by the Trauma Program at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
“One choice can lead to a lifetime of consequences,” said Dr. Ray Georgen, the ThedaCare System Trauma Medical Director. “We want people to really think about their actions and decisions. Hopefully a car like this will encourage them to have a conversation about safety and make responsible choices.”
The car is intended to remind people to choose a safe ride home and not drive while impaired. Impairments could include drinking or drugged driving, or driving while distracted. It’s all aimed to encourage injury prevention, an important aspect of the Trauma Program.
“Day in and day out, people are faced with difficult decisions,” said Dr. Georgen. “We want this car to represent an easy decision, do not drive while impaired.”
The taxi portion of the car represents choosing a designated driver, ride service or taxi as a safe ride. The police car portion represents the possible consequences if you drive while impaired. When it comes to the monetary aspect, a taxi or ride service is much cheaper when compared to the repercussions of impaired driving, which could cost thousands of dollars.
The car will be used by local law enforcement agencies, in partnership with ThedaCare. The goal is to have the car seen by as many people as possible. Similar cars have been used in cities across the country.
The 2019 P.A.R.T.Y. at the PAC is once again led by sponsorship from Bergstrom Automotive. Additional sponsors and donations to the ThedaCare Foundation – Neenah make presentation of this program by the Trauma Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah possible. P.A.R.T.Y. stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth. Since the inception, the program has reached more than 65,000 local high school students, sharing information, personal stories and a realistic simulation of the aftermath of a motor vehicle crash.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to a community of more than 600,000 residents in 14 counties and employs more than 7,000 healthcare professionals. ThedaCare has 180 locations including seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, New London, Shawano, Waupaca and Wild Rose. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
Media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public Relations Specialist at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
