Yatin J. Patel, MD Medical Director, Center for Sleep Studies, Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, IN 46526 Phone 574.534.9911 Fax 574.534.6915
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Stay Alert, Drive Safe 2004 Campaign.

Our 2002 and 2003 campaigns were a huge success. Many thanks to our sleep center staff, our patient volunteers, our marketing department, and the local media.

Our 2004 campaign was even a greater success, despite bad weather in Michiana area. We expanded our campaign beyond our state of Indiana.

Below is the map of turkey trip 2004.

This trip began at 0800 hours on Saturday, Nov. 20th, 2004 from the Center for Sleep Studies, Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, IN 46526.

Todd Smeltzer joined me in this trip and was a great help during this trip.

We drove Honda Odyssey van displaying the banner; "Stay Awake, Drive Safe".

We stopped at every (boy, was it tiring!) rest area on the way, and left a stack of brochures at these rest areas.

Visibility in nation's capital was poor, but you can still see the Washington monument in the background.

We presented "Sleep Well, Lead Well" plaque to DR Jeff Runge, head of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

We presented the plaque to the office of congressman Chris Chocola.

We would be loking forward to their support in advancing our cause of saving innocent lives on the road.

We were planning on visiting the White House and presenting Mr. President, on behalf of Center for Sleep Studies at Goshen General Hospital, "Sleep Well, Lead Well" plaque. This did not work out as Prez was in South America. We should have focused on presenting the First Lady this plaque.

Tuesday, we met the business leaders at Respironics, one of the largest manufacturer of respiratory related products. The meeting was very helpful. We felt like we formed a solid partnership with Respironics to further our cause.

Our many thanks to our friends at Respironics for their hospitality.

On Wednesday, the eve of Thanksgiving 2004, as usual, we were at the rest area (at mile post 90) west of Elkhart Exits on westbound I-80.

Patient volunteers, sleep center staff educated the drivers, handed out brochures, and had fun in the process. Albert, the turkey, did his thing.

We reached wider audience with the help of concerned friends in the media. Local Fox TV station (Monday Morning show) and NBC TV station (Wednesday) helped promote the cause.

Our thanks to;

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in DC for their support.
Congressman Chris Chocola and his staff in DC for their support.
Staff at Fox TV and at NBC TV for helping us reach wider audience.
Elkhart Truth newspaper for helping us get our message out.

Jennifer Hayes, marketing manager, Goshen General Hospital.
Laura Graber, Todd Smeltzer, Laddona, Cindy of the Center for Sleep Studies.
Annete Webb, Curtis Gierhan, Lou Ann Cripe for showing up despite 4 inches of snow !

May be we saved a life or two !