Each day, bus driver Eileen Fox adds an element of comfort to regularly scheduled trips to the Noyes Center for Kidney Disease and Dialysis in Geneseo for patients who rely on her smile and courteous service as part of their treatment routine.

But for many dialysis patients, securing reliable, comfortable road transportation to Noyes is only part of the challenge to reach regular, life-saving dialysis appointments. Age, disabilities, and other mobility issues can make the short walk from the curb, down a walkway, and into the center the most challenging journey.

Now, thanks to a group of appreciative patients, Eileen's comforting presence will always be part of that journey.

To memorialize Eileen's commitment to patients' needs beyond the bus, patients, Noyes staff, and Eileen's co-workers at The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming recently dedicated a bench to Eileen along the dialysis center walkway.

"Eileen routinely walks or wheels people into the facility. Once inside the building, Eileen helps patients get settled, and helps them with their coats in the winter. Now, there's a bench in Eileen's honor, half-way from the curb to the building, where they can stop, rest and chat," said Susan Widmer-Bennet.

Susan would know. As a dialysis patient at Noyes, she has received door-through-door transportation from Eileen for months. The two women developed a bond, which ultimately led to Susan initiating the bench dedication. Susan’s brother, Bob Widmer, built the bench by hand, and Susan commissioned the plaque that adorns it, which reads, "Dedicated to Eileen Fox: A Friend to All."

"It's unreal," Eileen commented, when her plaque was unveiled. "I am so touched."

Eileen is a professional driver at The Arc, an agency primarily known for serving the developmentally disabled population since 1961. The Arc began providing service for senior citizens and others in need of dialysis treatment in 2008, through a New Freedom Transportation Grant from the Federal Transportation Administration. The grant enables The Arc to partner with three key Livingston County service agencies – the Department of Social Services (DSS), Office for the Aging, and Center for Nursing – and with Noyes, for door-through-door, non-emergency transportation service.

If the idea of a bench at a medical facility being dedicated to a bus driver sounds unusual, consider this: At Noyes’ state-of-the-art dialysis clinic, typical treatment can last 2½ to 4 hours, 3 days per week. Before and after long treatments, a driver is available as a shoulder to lean on, both figuratively and literally. According to Susan, the presence of a familiar, supportive driver such as Eileen keeps patients motivated, with their spirits and healing potential at a maximum.

"Everybody loves Eileen, even the patients she doesn't transport,” Susan said. “She does so much for everybody; this is just our small way of saying thanks.”