Press Room

Check here for the latest VNA news and happenings around the community. For additional information or to arrange media interviews, please contact:
Ann Irwin
VNA Manager of Community Relations
1110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446
(802) 860-4437
irwinREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vnacares.org

VNA Offers Spring Hospice Volunteer Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/13/2008

Colchester, VT — Hospice of the Champlain Valley, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, will host a training course for Hospice volunteers beginning on March 18, 2008. The 10-week course will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8:30PM at the VNA's offices on Prim Road in Colchester. Registration cut-off is March 7.

The extensive curriculum, presented in a safe and supportive environment, will help prepare volunteers to care for people with terminal illness as well as provide respite and support for their families. Session topics include an introduction to Hospice and Palliative Care, the patient and family unit of care, communication, and grief and bereavement. Each session begins with a presentation on a topic and continues with a facilitated smaller group discussion.

"Our comprehensive training is beneficial whether or not you decide to volunteer after completing the course," said Deb Brady, VNA Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. "Volunteers tell us they feel the training helps them better understand themselves and their complicated feelings about dying. They learn from the instructors as well as one another."

For more information on the spring Hospice volunteer training, contact Hospice Volunteer Coordinators, Deb Brady or Erica Marks at 860-4411. Hospice of the Champlain Valley is a program of the Visiting Nurse Association's End-of-Life Care services. Other programs include: Vermont Respite House, Palliative Care Services, the Madison-Deane Initiative, Supportive Care Services for Children and Camp Knock Knock. VNA's End-of-Life Care services promote dignity and quality of life for individuals faced with a life threatening or terminal diagnosis.

Contact

Ann Irwin
Manager of Community Relations
860-4437

VNA Prim Road Adult Day Program Reopens with Fresh New Look

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/14/2008

Colchester, VT — The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties’ newly refurbished Adult Day Program space is up and running at Prim Road in Colchester. Anyone interested in touring the Adult Day Program is encouraged to contact Catherine Holdway at 860-4438 to make an appointment.

The VNA Adult Day Program provides enriching activities and help with personal and health care needs for individuals of all ages in a safe, home-like setting six days each week. Adult Day participants are frail elders, individuals with physical disabilities, adults with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia and individuals undergoing rehabilitative care. “At the VNA, our goal is keeping families together - at home where they want to be,” said Adult Day Program director Catherine Holdway. “Our renovation at Prim Road has created a warm and inviting space for participants. We invite families in need of care for a loved one to come check us out.”

The VNA runs two other adult day sites, at Falcon Manor in Williston and their newest adult day site at Grand Way Commons, Farrell Street in South Burlington. The Adult Day Program is currently accepting participants and complimentary tours are available at all three sites. VNA Adult Day participants can also receive services at the PACE VT Adult Day Program on the Fanny Allen campus.

For more information about the VNA Adult Day Program, please call Catherine Holdway at 860-4438 or visit www.vnacares.org.

Contact

Ann Irwin
Manager of Community Relations
860-4437

VNA Honors Lois McClure, Dragonheart Vermont and The Clothes Exchange at 101st Annual Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/9/2007

Colchester, VT —

The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties held its 101^st Annual Meeting last evening at the Doubletree Hotel in South Burlington. 225 staff, volunteers and friends of the VNA gathered to honor their colleagues and friends at the yearly celebration. The VNA Richard H. Wadhams Award, the VNA’s highest honor, was presented to Lois H. McClure. The Wadhams Award is given to individuals who generously provide outstanding support to VNA programs and participate in efforts to increase public awareness of home care and related services to our community. In presenting the award to Mrs. McClure, Church Hindes VNA President and CEO remarked, “You receive this award not only because you are one of our most generous supporters, but also because you know the VNA needs more than financial support to do the work we do. We need friends like you with generous spirits and enormous hearts who share the power of VNA caring with everyone around them. The VNA Community Service Award was given to Linda Dyer and Dragonheart and Leslie Halperin and The Clothes Exchange for loyal and generous support for the VNA and its programs. Both Dragonheart Vermont and The Clothes Exchange ran fundraisers this year which benefitted VNA programs. The following VNA staff anniversaries were celebrated:

30 years: Suzanne Archacki, Bonnie Finnigan

25 years: Terry Paquin, Karen Stranges Obert

20 years: Claire Weis, Jess Whitney

15 years: Tracy Boldwin, Nita Ingham, Christine Kaufman, Melissa Kaufold

10 years: Katherine Bruno, Jill Carberry, Nancy Carlson, Beth Chambers-Lafleche, Kathi Dastalto, Annie Desranleau, Rachel Doran, Laurie-Ann Fitzpatrick, Karen Floyd, Barbara Galgon, Lynda Lee Garafano, Tonya Guyette, Rebecca Isham, Carole Lanphere, Julie Marshall, Heather McCreedy, Reba Paig, Mae Roberts, Brenda Ruel, Cami Thibodeau, Carol Trombley, Augusta Wilson

5 years: Gordon Morse Bennett III, Paula Bennett, Amy Bombard, Cindy Bruzzese, Chris Chadwick, Lisa Charland, Harold Cook, Laura Daigle, Kellie DeCicco, Sharlene Dunne, Kimberly Fox, Michelle Hayford, Aida Husrefovic, Damir Husrefovic, Cynthia Lashway, Michelle Leonard, Larry Levine, Heidi Martin, Linda Massie, Tara McMahon, Kathleen Miceli, Annemarie Miner, Shirley Mott, Alex Pial, Annmarie Plant-DeHayes, Betsy Preston, Margaret Potter, Donna Richie, James Tatro, Donna Turnbaugh, Kate Vansuch, Lisa Wester

Contact

Ann Irwin
Manager of Community Relations
860-4437

VNA Completes Successful Survey from the Joint Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/2/2007

Colchester, VT — The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) received praise and high marks today from The Joint Commission following an unannounced 3-day accreditation survey.

An independent nonprofit organization founded in 1951, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting nationwide performance standards for home health care organizations.

“We are gratified that the team of visiting experts verified what we already knew – the VNA provides superb care to patients and their families across our communities,” said Church Hindes, VNA President and CEO. “Accreditation from The Joint Commission is a testament to the outstanding staff at the Visiting Nurse Association.” The surveyors commended the VNA’s Board, staff and volunteers for their commitment to excellence.

The VNA is a 101-year-old nonprofit home health agency caring for people of all ages – from critically ill children to vulnerable families to adults who need rehabilitation, long-term care, adult day services or end-of-life care. The VNA provides medically necessary home and community-based care to individuals and families regardless of their ability to pay. The VNA serves upwards of 5,000 individuals and families each year. For more information, please contact the VNA at (802)658-1900 or visit www.vnacares.org.

Contact

Ann Irwin
Manager of Community Relations
860-4437

VNA Commemorates National Adult Day Services Week with New South Burlington Location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/10/2007

Colchester, VT — National Adult Day Services week will be observed September 16-22. That’s perfect timing for the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties as they announce the opening of their newest Adult Day Program at Grand Way Commons on Farrell Street in South Burlington. The program is currently accepting participants and complimentary tours are available.

“At the VNA, our goal is keeping families together - at home where they want to be,” said Adult Day Program Director Debra Kokotoff. “It’s important for our services to be more accessible to families in the South Burlington area and in southern Chittenden County. We’ve created a warm and inviting new space at Grand Way Commons. We invite families in need of care for a loved one to come check us out.” The VNA currently runs two other adult day sites, one in Colchester on Prim Road at the VNA building and one at Falcon Manor in Williston. VNA Adult Day participants can also receive services at the PACE VT adult day program on the Fanny Allen campus.

For more information about the VNA Adult Day Program, please call Debra Kokotoff at 860-4407 or visit www.vnacares.org.

Contact

Ann Irwin
Manager of Community Relations
860-4437