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Making a Difference Through The Medical Transportation Grant Program

mcminnemily
Employee
Employee

The following blog post was co-written by Debbie Wafford and Carolyn McMenemon.

 

In 2007, Southwest Airlines proudly launched the Medical Transportation Grant Program (MTGP) to help provide nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations across the nation with roundtrip tickets for patients and/or caregivers in need. Travel is often a critical part of getting patients the medical care they need and our goal with this program is to help alleviate travel expenses for those impacted during this stressful time.  We are pleased to share the 2018 MTGP recipients includes 79 hospitals across the United States, including 3 hospitals that are brand new to the program this year! By partnering with these hospitals and organizations, MTGP will reach a total of 100 facilities across the United States—spanning 41 different cities in 26 states.

 

Since MTGP’s inception in 2007, more than 69,000 tickets for roundtrip air travel —valued at more than $27.6 million—have been donated to nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations. Southwest is proud to help provide this necessary transportation and have the opportunity to positively impact patients and caregivers around the country, like Wrenn. As an infant, Wrenn received a double lung transplant and now travels from her home in Orlando to St. Louis Children’s Hospital every six months through the MTGP.

 

 

A full list of the participating hospitals and organizations can be found at Southwest.com/medicalgrant. To learn about qualifications for travel assistance through the designated organizations, please directly contact the Social Work, Travel/Concierge Service, or Patient Assistance Departments at the hospitals and medical organizations listed online, as each has unique guidelines for the administration of the tickets.

 

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