February 01, 2005

Genesis Goes On The Road To Provide Health Screenings And Information

Davenport, IA – It’s hard to miss the bus when the bus is bright yellow with the Genesis Health System logo and the tagline  “...Never Settle’’ prominent on the exterior.

Health-conscious residents of the Quad Cities will just as easily recognize a variation of the highly visible Genesis buses during American Heart Month in February. To kick off American Heart Month,  Genesis is taking the wraps off a blue version of the yellow Genesis buses being used on MetroLINK and city bus routes throughout Scott and Rock Island counties.

The blue Genesis On The Road bus with the “Gus The Bus’’ caricatures on the side will be used as a mobile outreach vehicle and will be the site for cholesterol and comprehensive metabolic panel screenings throughout February. The Genesis On The Road bus, made possible by a partnership between Genesis and MetroLINK, will also be part of the scene at Quad Cities events and festivals for 2005 and beyond.

The bus will be equipped for conducting health screenings but also will be available to provide health information and information about the health services provided by Genesis Health System, the preferred provider of health care in the Quad Cities.

Ken Croken, Genesis Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing, said the blue Genesis bus will be used to represent Genesis Health System as a community health leader.

“Our mission to provide compassionate, quality health services to all those in need will be extended throughout the Quad Cities with this mobile outreach vehicle,’’ said Croken.  “We have purposely scheduled a large number of screenings at non-clinical sites where people gather.’’

The “Gus The Bus’’ caricatures on the bus will make the new Genesis On The Road design easily distinguishable from the MetroLINK and city buses already on the road with the Genesis vinyl wraps.  AdMospheres Media and Marketing of Davenport designed and applied the vinyl wraps for the yellow buses and the Genesis On The Road bus.

Jeff Nelson, general manager of MetroLINK, said, “the partnership with Genesis Health System complements our commitment to healthy lifestyle initiatives, such as natural gas-powered buses, bicycle racks and healthy commutes by bus.

“It’s great to have a partnership with Genesis that reflects our commitment to a healthier Quad-Cities and shares our common goal of community service.’’

The Genesis On The Road bus will be powered by a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. CNG engines are considered to be more environmentally friendly and quieter than diesel-powered buses.

The “Gus The Bus’’ caricature was commissioned by Genesis and designed by Quad Cities illustrator, Eric Tucker. The image was used in the design of a 55-foot-long helium balloon that debuted Nov. 20 in the 2004 Festival of Trees Parade in Davenport.