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June 13, 2006

VNA Celebrates 100 Years

Visiting Nurses Week Proclaimed, Gala Planned for June 24th

SOMERVILLE – In honor of 100 years of service to Somerville and surrounding communities, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone proclaimed the week of June 18^th through June 24^th, 2006, to be VNA of Eastern Massachusetts Week. 

“The Visiting Nurses Association engages in so many of our community’s challenges: keeping our long term residents in Somerville, providing affordable housing options, and encouraging our senior residents to maintain healthy, active lifestyles,” said Mayor Curtatone, “I’m delighted to join the Board of Aldermen in honoring this organization’s century-long commitment to the health of Somerville residents.”

The VNA was founded in 1906 as the Visiting Nursing Association of Somerville, and was one of the first twenty organizations of its kind in the country. The agency’s original mission was to provide home health services for the community. Since inception, the VNA has focused its programs on the care of those suffering from poverty and illness and has provided care to those most in need with the least resources.

“Home health care can enable people to avoid a hospital stay, or learn to better manage a disease or illness, or to return home from the hospital sooner”, said Linda S. Cornell, President and CEO for the VNA of Eastern Massachusetts. The VNA provides nursing, home health aides, rehabilitation therapy, social work and affordable housing. Each year the VNA provides over 30,000 home visits in Somerville and surrounding communities as well as 97 apartments for low-to-moderate income senior residents. 

In March of 2000, the VNA of Eastern Massachusetts opened an assisted living facility on Lowell Street in Somerville. The Lowell Street facility is the first in the country owned and operated by a visiting nurse organization.

The VNA Centennial Celebration will include an Open House and Annual Meeting on Wednesday June 21 at the VNA building, 259 Lowell Street, followed by a Staff Appreciation Day, and culminating in a Gala Celebration at the Museum of  Science on Saturday, June 24.  For more information about the Centennial Celebration or VNA programs, please call 617-776-9800.