Category: Diamond Ring Outstanding Program Over Time Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle

• CEO: Leland Hartwell, President and Director
• PM/ETC: Shelly Da Ronche, Transportation Manager

Long-term commitment puts Fred Hutchinson in the Diamond Ring
Winner of Diamond Awards in 1994, 1995, and 1996, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's commute reduction program continues to be innovative and effective. The Center is recognized this year as one of the first employers to receive the Diamond Ring Award for an outstanding program over time.

Representing Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (From left to right): Guy Ott, Shelly Da Ronche, Peggy Means, Molly Megerth.

The Center, which pioneered bone marrow transplants, has three sites: Day Campus at the south end of Lake Union, Met Park in downtown Seattle, and First Hill, just east of downtown. “Part of cancer research is studying how the environment affects the disease,” says Shelly Da Ronche, transportation manager. “Our management understands the connection between fewer cars on the road and cleaner, healthier air and knows the importance of keeping employees happy so they will work more effectively and stay longer.”

Long before there was a Commute Trip Reduction Law, the Center had a transportation plan in place. It charges employees for parking, which is at a premium at all three sites. Monthly costs for single occupant vehicles are $60 for covered and $55 for uncovered parking. Carpools park for $15 per month and vanpools park for free. To encourage transit use, all eligible employees receive a free “Hutch” pass that is good on King County Metro, Pierce Transit, and Community Transit. Employees who commute from Kitsap County receive a Cross Sound Pass, good on Kitsap Transit and Washington State Ferries. Vanpools also are subsidized at 100%.

Shuttle service helps patients as well as employees
The Center operates a regularly scheduled shuttle service five days a week from 6:30 am to 7 pm. The shuttle connects the Center's three sites, the University of Washington Medical Center, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, and the bus tunnel in downtown Seattle and serves over 11,000 patients and staff each month. These shuttles move people quickly and easily, saving time that would be lost in traffic or seeking parking, and removing many vehicles from the road. The shuttle also is a safe alternative for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. Because their immune systems are compromised, it is unwise for them to ride public transit. There also is a shuttle operated between the Hutch Clinic on First Hill and the Pete Gross House, a residence for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants and their families.

Rounding out Fred Hutch's impressive program are a guaranteed ride home in case of illness or emergency for employees who use commute alternatives and covered bicycle racks, showers, lockers, and towel service for the many employees who bicycle and walk to work.

“The commute trip reduction program at the Center supports its overall desire to provide the faculty and staff with easily accessible and environmentally helpful transportation alternatives,” says Leland Hartwell, president and director, “and the Center's shuttle system helps reduce vehicle emissions and complements the Center's study of the effects of environment on various cancers. The commute options also create efficiencies for our staff so they can concentrate on activities that are specific to our mission of eliminating cancer.”

*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program; “PM” is the transportation program manager; and “CEO” refers to the top management-level person at the worksite. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction. 

BACK TO LIST OF DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS