VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF THE TREASURE COAST | 50TH ANNIVERSARY PRESS RELEASE

 

Suzanne Gallagher

Director of Marketing & Communications

772-978-5546

 

 

 

VERO BEACH, Florida – On Tuesday, April 8, 2025 the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners read a proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast (VNA).

Commissioner Joe Earman read the proclamation and said how vital the VNA is to our community. Board Chair of the VNA & Hospice Foundation, Carol Kanarek, also spoke briefly. She noted how significant it was that the VNA has been able to maintain its viability in our community over such a relatively long period of time, particularly considering that the VNA is a nonprofit and has had to compete with many for-profits that have moved into the county and that have more revenue to work with. She also recognized and thanked one of the founders of the VNA, Ann Marie McCrystal, who stood next to her and who is on the Board of Directors of the VNA & Hospice Foundation. 

The VNA was established in 1975 and in its first month alone made 80 home visits for patients discharged from the hospital requiring home care, thanks to one very special nurse, Sue Schlitt, as well as an attending home health aide. Patient demand for the two VNA caregivers grew at warp speed, quickly laying bare the need for additional staff. Since many of the patients requiring care were without the financial means to pay for VNA services, it was determined by the board of directors to create the VNA & Hospice Foundation, whose mission is to support the programs and services of the VNA of the Treasure Coast, relying on the generosity of its donors to do so.

Shortly after the VNA’s founding, the hospice movement took hold throughout the United States. Always on the forefront of providing state-of-the-art services, the VNA obtained the licensing and certification to become an approved hospice care provider in Indian River County to serve these patients. In addition to providing hospice for patients in their homes, the VNA also offers the beautiful VNA Hospice House for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home. Recently renovated, Hospice House offers premier end-of-life care in an elegant yet cozy home-like setting, complete with 12 private beautifully appointed patient rooms that include private lanais overlooking lush gardens. This vital community resource is fully funded by philanthropic support and would not be available without the generosity of our donors. As Carol Kanarek put it, the VNA Hospice House is “a jewel” in our community.

If you’d like to learn more about VNA and the 50 years it has been here, please contact Suzanne Gallagher, VNA Director or Marketing & Communications at SGallagher@vnatc.com.

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and provides home healthcare services, including Medicare-reimbursed and private-duty nursing; home health aides; physical, speech, and occupational therapy; in-home companions; and personal transportation—throughout Indian River County. The agency is also the only licensed hospice provider in Indian River County, offering end-of-life care in patients’ homes, local hospitals, assisted living facilities, and the VNA Hospice House. The VNA also provides low-cost medical care aboard the Mobile Health Clinic at convenient locations throughout Indian River County and no-cost blood pressure/blood sugar screenings. To learn more about the VNA, please visit www.vnatc.com.