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The Wheels of Wellness program announced June 19 that Victoria Williams it its new program transporter.

The Wheels of Wellness program provides transportation services for healthcare appointments and treatments of pediatric patients and expected mothers without other means of transportation. These transportation services are offered for both local healthcare appointments as well as healthcare appointments at larger medical facilities for medical treatments not available in Escambia County.

“The Health Care Authority is thankful for the years of service provided by Mr. Chad Hartley,” said Stephen Fischer, CEO of the Escambia County Health Care Authority. “We wish Chad the best in his new endeavors at D.W. McMillan Hospital.”

With the replacement of Hartley, Wheels of Wellness will continue under the leadership of Williams, according to a release.

Williams joins Wheels of Wellness after working for Volunteers of America serving Escambia County. Williams also has experience with Alorica, Little Hands Daycare and H&R Block. She is a graduate of Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa, Fla. with an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding. She is also a graduate of W.S. Neal High School.

The Wheels of Wellness program started as a way to transport children safely to health care services not available in the local area, and later expanded to include transportation for expected mothers. The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, the Escambia County Health Care Authority and various other community organizations collaborated to start the program in October 2006.

The program operates on an average monthly operating budget of about $3,000, or $36,000 annually. Thankfully, various individuals and community-based organizations have sponsored ongoing financial support of the program, with the Escambia County Health Care Authority also making ongoing operating support contributions. The Wheels of Wellness program is constantly looking for financial support and anyone who has interest in supporting it can make a financial contribution as follows: Wheels of Wellness, C/O Escambia County Health Care Authority, P.O. Box 908, Brewton, AL 36427.