SIDNEY, Neb. — Pearl Wood, a resident of Pole Creek Estates Long-Term Care, was able to celebrate Thanksgiving last month at home with her family thanks to a new program by Sidney Regional Medical Center EMS.

Through the “Home for the Holidays” initiative, EMS crews transported Pearl to her family. The program, spearheaded by EMS Director Shannon Odiet, aims to reunite long-term care residents with their families when transportation challenges arise, such as wheelchair needs or injuries.

Odiet desired to implement a program like this for several years and was pleased to finally see it come to fruition.

The effort was a collaboration between SRMC EMS, Pole Creek Estates Vice President Judy Frerichs and Activities Coordinator Sandy Riggle. The team determined an ambulance was the ideal way to safely transport residents.

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department also assisted in Pearl’s transport. While two residents were offered the opportunity, Pearl and her family embraced the program.

“They [EMS] were very nice and helped me the whole way,” Pearl said. “It was really great of them to do that.”

Pearl enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner—describing the turkey as “falling off the bone”—and spent quality time with her daughters and extended family.

The SRMC EMS team expressed pride in helping reunite families during the holidays.