Roadside Medical Labs and Clinics and Pilot Travel Centers have announced they are teaming up to create a coast-to-coast network of retail medical clinics to address the health risks faced by over-the-road drivers.
Roadside said this endeavor marks a significant departure from the mindset of traditional transportation health care. "By developing health programs specifically for truckers and locating our clinics at Pilot Travel Centers, Roadside Medical will make it easy for drivers to integrate practical health care solutions into their schedules," said Joe Neely, Roadside CEO.
"We give them the health care they need, where they need it, when they need it—and most importantly—at a price they can afford,” he continued. “Without easy access to medical care, many drivers would put off going to the doctor as long as possible. As for scheduling an appointment, have you ever tried to park a rig at your doctor's office?"
"We are pleased to partner with Roadside Medical to improve the lives of our customers," said Jimmy Haslam, Pilot president. "Our goal is to be a total solution provider for all driver services, and Roadside is helping us deliver on medical services. The evidence supporting driver health initiatives is too staggering to ignore. Providing drivers with healthy options and access to medical care isn't just good business, it's the right thing to do."
Bob Perry, vp of sales for Roadside Medical, anticipates that Roadside's annual wellness programs will be attractive to drivers and trucking companies alike. "The small monthly fee covers the cost of all DOT testing, and re-testing if necessary, but the program includes much more," he said. "We give drivers practical solutions to their most common ailments – with little steps we can start to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, and help with other problems like lower back pain and smoking cessation. Education and small, practical steps are key."
"The most shocking thing may be the return on investment," added Neely. "Most wellness programs provide at least a 300% return on investment, and that's a very conservative estimate. We know that it costs a lot less to keep a driver healthy than to heal them when they're sick. The irony is, these guys know how important it is to have the maintenance done on their truck, and there are plenty of mechanics out there to prove it. Imagine if they checked their own levels and pressure every 15,000 miles."
