Jul 01, 2002 | General
Diamond serves as ambassador for mass transit
Media Relations Contact: July 1, 2002 Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas employee uses DART system to its fullest Diamond serves as ambassador for mass transit
Diamond, who is autistic, is a walking encyclopedia about Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) rail and bus service. He also distributes DART schedules and advice during his 15 daily routes delivering items for the hospital's laboratory throughout the campus. Many of Presbyterian Hospital's 3,600 employees often ask him for directions about using DART. "When we add new laboratory employees, Matthew is the first to ask if they ride DART and he gives them DART schedules," says his boss, Renee Sims, Outreach Supervisor for Laboratory Services. "He loves to talk about DART!" Diamond has used the DART system since 1987 as his primary means of transportation. He reaches the hospital using a combination of DART bus and rail routes. He often takes fellow employees on DART Rail to show them how to use the system. To ease his commute, Diamond's family bought a home near a DART stop. Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas President Mark Merrill recently honored Diamond as one of two "All Star of the Month" recipients for outstanding performance. Gary Thomas, DART president/executive director, attended the ceremony and presented Diamond with a DART T-shirt, a train model and a foam toy bus. "I understand you are one of DART's biggest advocates," Thomas told Diamond. "We're looking forward to seeing you on the train at our new Walnut Hill Station." DART opened the Walnut Hill Station adjacent to the Presbyterian campus July 1. "Whenever I can, I like to tell people who use the DART system how to get to their next location," Diamond explained. "I even told my uncle Brad how to get to jury duty." -- 30 -- |
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