MTM Program Director Lisa Sanders Given Shining Star Award

MTM, Inc. announced today that its Florida Program Director Lisa Sanders has been awarded the Sheila Winitzer Shining Star Award for her commitment to Florida’s Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program. Through her roles with MTM, Inc. as the Program Director of the company’s Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) and Transportation Provider (STP) programs in Martin, Collier, and Volusia counties, Lisa has shown her expertise of coordinated systems and dedication to removing community barriers for the TD and Medicaid populations. She has managed MTM’s CTC operations in Martin County since 2010; the STP contract in Collier County since 2012; and the new STP program in Volusia County since July 1, 2013. Prior to joining MTM, Lisa played a key role on the Martin Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), overseeing the county’s coordinated transportation system to ensure community access for the county’s TD community.

Lisa is a committed transportation professional who is dedicated to improving the well-being of Florida members. In Martin, Collier, and Volusia counties, she has been key in deploying innovative strategies and ongoing partnerships aimed at improving the quality of life for TD and Medicaid populations, enhancing program efficiency and productivity, and reducing transportation barriers. Highlights of her achievements related to the systems within these communities include:

• Establishing the only Saturday shuttle service in Martin County
• Implementing a volunteer transportation program in 2013 that will provide an additional 4,000 trips each year to Martin County passengers
• Partnering with the Center for Independent Living Options (CILO) in Martin County to implement a taxi voucher program sponsored by the United Way
• Obtaining $365,890 in Shirley Conroy and New Freedom grant funding for Martin County in 2013 alone to increase transportation service availability throughout the county
• Implementing a Tequesta shuttle route in Martin County to transport passengers to shopping, medical appointments, and other community activities once a week
• Establishing a Steering Committee in Collier County to guide program operations, ensure stakeholder voices are heard, and expand service
• Introducing a regional reduced cost daily and monthly bus pass program for low-income Medicaid members in Collier County
• Implementing the South County Transit Route in Collier County to transport passengers to Miami on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while ensuring multi-loading and cost efficiency
• Creating three Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) routes for multi-loading and transporting children effectively in Collier County
• Instituting mileage reimbursement programs in Martin and Collier counties for passengers who utilize their personal vehicles for transport to eligible programs

“The CTD recognizes Ms. Sanders for her dedication and commitment to the transportation disadvantaged program,” said Steve Holmes, Executive Director of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD), in the award letter. “It is important that our partners receive recognition for making the coordination transportation system a safe, efficient, and quality transportation service.”