HCN News & Notes

Cooley Dickinson Announces Daily Van Shuttle to Mass General Hospital

NORTHAMPTON — To help Pioneer Valley residents access healthcare services at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, Cooley Dickinson Health Care and Mass General are teaming up to offer a round-trip, non-stop daily van shuttle. The free service debuts Monday, April 9.

“We are excited to offer this new service to make it easier for patients and family members to access care when needed at Mass General,” Cooley Dickinson President and CEO Joanne Marqusee said. “We have heard from people in our community that the challenges and worries of getting to and parking in Boston can be a barrier to getting the care they want at Mass General. We are thrilled that our affiliation with Mass General will make access easier for our community.”

The 12-passenger van, which is equipped with wi-fi, will depart daily from the parking lot across from 8 Atwood Dr. in Northampton at 6:30 a.m. The van’s destination is Mass General Hospital’s main entrance at 55 Fruit St., Boston. The van will leave Mass General for Northampton at 3 p.m. The shuttle runs Monday through Friday and is not available on major holidays.

“It’s exciting to announce this partnership with Cooley Dickinson,” said Tony James, Mass General Hospital’s senior vice president of Network Development and Integration and a member of the Cooley Dickinson Health Care board of trustees. “Getting patients to the right care at the right time and in the right place is the motivation behind this shuttle service. We look forward to providing enhanced access to MGH for residents of the Pioneer Valley.”

The service, which is a pilot program, is open to Pioneer Valley residents. There is no cost to ride the shuttle, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, call (888) 554-4234 at least 24 hours in advance. Children ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more, visit cooley/mghshuttle.org.