Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle
Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, also known as the VNA, is a not-for-profit home health agency, which has served Chittenden County, Vermont and Grand Isle County, Vermont since its inception in 1906. The hospice is certified by both Medicare and Medicaid. As a result of being a not-for-profit hospice, it provides palliative care to any terminally ill patient with a prognosis of six months or less to live, without regard to the patient's ability to pay for any services.
The organization provides a variety of services that include nursing, personal care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional guidance, home health care, pediatric care, case management and medical social work services.
History
Julia Smith led the formation of a Visiting Nurse Committee in 1906.
In 1907, the first nurse was hired. Within the first month she made 85 visits, assisting local physicians with their care in the Burlington Community.
In 1911, a VNA nurse was assigned to the public and private schools in Burlington to assist the school physician, make home visits and educate older children on health and hygiene issues.
In 1921, the city of Burlington contributed funds to the Burlington Visiting Nurse Association to increase the number of nurses from two to five to help combat the city’s increased mortality rate.
In the 1920s, they obtained funds from the then-new Community Chest (later to become the United Way. Some insurance companies had started to reimburse the VNA to care for their homebound clients.
By 1960, over 4,600 visits were made by the VNA in a six-month period. When Medicare services began in 1965, VNA’s home care services expanded to include rehabilitation services.
The 1970’s, VNA’s services expaned to all of Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. During the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, the VNA introduced new programs including:
- The Child Health Services Mobile Unit - 1971
- VNA began staffing the Champlain Islands Health Center – 1974
- The opening of a child day care center - 1975
- Homemaker services - 1978
- Hospice volunteer program – 1979-80
- Adult Day Services - 1981
- Community Care Connection opened - 1985
- Maternal and Child Health Services Family Room opens - 1988
- VNA Hospice and Chittenden Volunteer Hospice merged to form Hospice of the Champlain Valley – 1989
- Vermont Respite House became a VNA program – 1997
- Anderson Parkway project, providing services for adults with mobility impairments, opened – 2001
- Madison-Deane Initiative, a volunteer-led organization providing education and resources about end-of-life care, became a VNA program – 2002
Organization
The VNA is managed by a board of directors. It has the following officers:
- President - Churchill Hindes. Salary - $177,892
- Vice President - Sidney Rockliss, Salary - $144, 327
- Vice President - Patricia Donehower. Salary - $100,198
- Program Director - IIdiko Eley. Salary - $91,789
- Registered Nurse - Martha Stromme. Salary - $81,204
It employed 500 people in 2008.
Fundraisers
In 2008, the 5k Fun Run & Jiggety Jog raised over $50,000 - the most ever - to support Vermont's only hospice home. Over 300 participants raised funds that enabled the Vermont Respite House to care for more than 100 residents this year - regardless of their ability to pay full fee. This event has been held since 1991.