via Bay Times and Record Observer, as published on March 1, 2019
TRAPPE — After 25 years of serving the medical transportation needs of the Eastern Shore, Best Care Ambulance of Trappe announces its acquisition by Butler Medical Transport of Towson, effective March 11. The business will continue operating under the same name, will honor all existing contracts and will retain all 60 of its current employees.
Best Care Ambulance owners Wayne and Shirley Kay Gardner and Frank Russum will be retiring, and owner Dan Jewell will be staying on with Butler Medical Transport to manage existing operations.
“When making this decision, it was important to all of us to work with a buyer that shared our commitment to our clients, our employees and patient safety. Butler Medical Transport was chosen from a group of 16 potential buyers because of their similar history and values,” said Wayne and Shirley Kay Gardner, Best Care Ambulance Owners, in a statement.
Like Best Care Ambulance, Butler Medical Transport began in its founders’ living rooms and believes in treating patients like family. Both companies primarily serve rural communities and have a unique understanding of their health care challenges.
“Butler Medical Transport is looking forward to joining the Eastern Shore’s business and health care communities and is working with the team at Best Care Ambulance to ensure a seamless transition,” said Will Rosenberg, Butler Medical Transport Chief Operating Officer. “We are committed to helping rural institutions advance patient care through transportation and will be making an immediate $100,000 investment in technology upgrades on Best Care ambulances and transport vehicles to enhance patient comfort, care and safety.”
“Thank you to our beloved community for their support and friendship over the past 25 years,” wrote the Gardners in a statement. “We are sad to see this chapter in our lives end but are confident that our clients and patients are in the best possible hands.”
Best Care Ambulance Inc. is private commercial ambulance company that was founded in 1994 and serves Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. The company started with two BLS ambulances and one full-time crew. The business expanded with the growing health care needs of the Eastern Shore and currently operates five BLS units, six ALS units and four wheelchair vans supported by a team of 60 employees. Over the past 25 years, Best Care Ambulance has completed an estimated 200,000 transports.