Selma healthcare worker opens medical transport business

There’s a new ride service in Selma-Dallas County that will help residents get to a doctor’s appointment or pick up medication. 

Preferred NEMT officially started business July 16 with a ribbon cutting at the Selma Dallas County Public Library hosted by the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. 

Preferred NEMT owner and operator Roosevelt Tinker III has been a nursing assistant at Park Place in Selma for over 30 years, where he saw the need for reliable transportation in Selma to improve many residents’ quality of life. 

Many of his Park Place coworkers were at the ribbon cutting and “can testify” to the many occasions caregivers “get patients ready to go to appointments, get them in the car. You do what you have to do to get them there,” Tinker said. Which is why “I want to serve the community by filling in the gap in transportation I see.” 

Tinker said he saw a need for transportation that is non-emergency but still urgent. That is what the NEMT stands for, Non Emergency Medical Transportation. “It’s essential but you don’t need an ambulance. You need a ride to the doctor’s office, or a ride to get dialysis. It’s not emergency but still urgent.” 

The main focus of Preferred NEMT is getting people to their medical appointments, but Tinker added he is also offering a taxi service. “If there is just a regular public person who wants a ride, we can help them as well.” 

The paperwork has been submitted for Medicaid to help defer costs of the medical transports. For the taxi service, the cost is very reasonable, he said. “The pay schedule for the taxi is $6 per load and $1.50 per mile.” 

Tinker is originally from Tuscaloosa but moved to Selma to work in the healthcare industry. He said Selma and Dallas County are home, which is why he is focusing on transportation in this area, but he is licensed to work statewide. Tinker met his wife Felicia Tinker in Selma. She is the principal at Meadowview Christian School.  

If you need a ride, you can call Preferred NEMT at 334-267-5276 or email preferrednemt@gmail.com. There is also a website with more information and contact form at www.prefferrednemt.net.