Two local businesses partner to
donate simulator car to
Sharon Regional

Occupational Therapist Tami Rose assists Elizabeth Gavey, of Hermitage, out of the new car simulator donated to Sharon Regional's Physical and Occupational Therapy Department by two local businesses

Mel Grata, president of Mel Grata Chevrolet-Toyota-Scion in Hermitage and Steve Djackovich, owner of Sharon Auto Wrecking, Mercer, joined forces to design and build a simulator car that they recently donated to Sharon Regional's Inpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Department.

The simulator started as a wrecked 2000 Chevrolet Malibu sitting on Sharon Auto Wrecking's property, according to Djackovich.

"Bill Lewis, the body shop manager at Mel Grata's dealership, called me one morning to let me know what Mel was thinking," said Djackovich. "I arranged to meet Mel at our business and we looked at several wrecked vehicles to see which one would work best."

Workers at Sharon Auto Wrecking cut off the back end of the vehicle and delivered it to Lewis and his crew at the Hermitage dealership. During the process of creating the simulator, Sharon Auto Wrecking also donated additional parts including two rear doors, front end parts, a hood, two fenders, and a number of miscellaneous interior parts.

Lewis and his body shop staff spent several months carefully designing and rebuilding the vehicle including painting and all finish work so that it would be fully functional as a simulator for patients at Sharon Regional. They also had to carefully insure that the size of the finished vehicle would fit through the entrance doors and hallways at Sharon Regional for delivery to the therapy department.

The simulator is being used specifically to help patients familiarize themselves with getting in and out of a car, sitting behind the driver's seat and being comfortable operating the controls before they are discharged home. The vehicle is especially beneficial for patients who are recovering from strokes, or who have had hip or knee surgeries.

The idea behind the project came from occupational therapist Dana Stewart, who made the suggestion at one of Sharon Regional's monthly employee breakfasts, hosted by president and CEO John Zidansek. Following the meeting, Zidansek approached Grata about the idea, who immediately took ownership of the project and pledged his support in seeing it completed. 

 "I was very happy our dealership and staff was able to help complete this project for Sharon Regional and its  patients," said Grata. "Mike Micoletta from our sales department was very involved in the project and I can't  say enough about Bill Lewis and his staff from our body shop who designed and built the vehicle to be in  showroom condition. This is a great example of two local businesses and their employees working   together for the betterment of the community, and I'm proud that we could be part of it."