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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 Development and Community Relations Director
1110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446
(802) 860-4437
irwinREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vnacares.org

VNA Offers Spring Hospice Volunteer Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/26/12

Colchester, Vermont - Interested in providing respite and support for people with terminal illness and their families? You can receive the training you need this Spring through a course offered by the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties' Hospice program. this 10-week course, which starts March 13, 2012, will be held on Tuesdays from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the VNA Main Office, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester.

Registration is open and runs until February 28. The $25 fee covers materials and snacks. For those who wish to volunteer at the VNA, there will be a required orientation session on the 11th week, following the training course.

This curriculum, presented in a safe and supportive environment, features topics including: Introduction to Hospice and Palliative Care, 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.

"The hospice volunteer training is invaluable," says Erica Marks, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at the VNA.  "It really helps people think about their feelings toward death and helps them be more prepared for decisions that they face with family members as well as for themselves."

For more information on the spring hospice volunteer training, contact Hospice Volunteer Coordinators Deb Brady or Erica Marks at 860-4411 - or visit http://www.vnacares.org/.

VNA Hospice is a program of the VNA's End-of-Life Care services. Other programs include: Vermont Respite House, Palliative Care Services, the Madison-Deane Initiative, Supportive Care Services for Children, Noyana Singers 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. 

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It's Peak Flu Season...
VNA to Hold Open Flu Clinic in Colchester

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/4/12

Colchester, Vermont - The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) announces a seasonal flu vaccination clinic Saturday, January 14, at the VNA Prim Road office in Colchester from 9 am to noon. The clinic is one of a series of VNA flu clinics offered for adults aged 18 and older.

Although VNA stresses that everyone should reduce the risk of becoming ill by receiving an early flu shot each fall, it's still not too late to protect you and your family. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February." Another little known fact is that you could be spreading the flu before you even show symptoms. The CDC explains, "You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick."

The Vermont Department of Health is recommending that all persons 6 months of age or older should receive a seasonal flu shot.  It is especially important for people with high risk of having serious flu-related complications or who care for people at high risk.  These people include:

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. The VNA offers these additional tips to help prevent the spread of flu:

Eligible individuals should present their Medicare B or Medicaid cards when registering. For all other adults aged 18 and older, a fee of $30 will be accepted. Documentation for third party insurers will be provided. Parents are encouraged to check with their child's health care provider about getting the flu vaccine.  For more information on the 2011-2012 VNA seasonal flu clinics, please call the VNA at (802) 658-1900 or visit http://www.vnacares.org//flu.

The VNA is a 106-year-old non-profit home health agency caring for people of all ages - from critically ill children to vulnerable families to adults who need rehabilitation, care for chronic illness, 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 over 5,000 individuals and families in Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties each year. For more information on VNA services and programs, please contact the VNA at (802) 658-1900 or visit http://www.vnacares.org/.

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VNA Welcomes Four New Members to Board

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/16/11

Colchester, Vermont - The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties announced at their Fall Annual Board Retreat the appointment of four new members for the VNA Board of Directors.

Rosemary Dale, EdD, APRN, is an advanced practice registered nurse who served for 25 years as the Chief Nurse at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, now Fletcher Allen Health Care. Johan ("John") Maitland is a partner in the labor and employment law group of Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. Steven Grant, MD, is the assistant director of the hospitalist group at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Peter Martin, president of WCAX TV, returns to the Board after serving the VNA both on the Honorary Board and as a member of the Agency Integrity and Government Relations committee.

James Madison of Test America was elected as Chair of the VNA Board of Directors. Other Board officers include; Anne Williams Doremus of Hanson Doremus Investments, Vice Chair; Samuel McDowell of Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Treasurer; and Leslee MacKenzie of Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman Realty, Secretary.

The VNA is a 105-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 http://www.vnacares.org/.

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VNA Reduces Energy Consumption by 5% and Earns EPA Energy Star Certification for Superior Energy Efficiency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/12/11

Colchester, Vermont - The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties Holly D. Miller building at 1110 Prim Road in Colchester has yet again earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star rating signifying the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. The prestigious award is given to commercial buildings such as banks, supermarkets, hospitals, hotels and schools that use an average of 35% less energy and also release 35% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

"Earning the Energy Star for the first time last year was great news; earning it again this year with an even higher score is even better news," says Church Hindes, VNA President and CEO. "We are pleased to extend our caring vision beyond our patients to the wellbeing of the world we live in."

To achieve the Energy Star status for a second consecutive year and improve the overall score, the VNA 's Manager of Facilities and Operations, Robert Sharpe, has continued to make energy efficient improvements to the Prim Road building. "What's particularly cool is that we've improved even further in the past year; which means we're staying ahead of new contenders and existing recipients Nationwide!  As you can likely imagine, each incremental improvement becomes more difficult and usually more expensive per incremental improvement," say Sharpe.  VNA took the following actions this past year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

"We work to train staff to reduce or remove unwanted or unnecessary appliances such as foot heaters, fans, microwaves and desk-top printers," says Sharpe. "We also try to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the building year-round; all of these little things contribute to our efficiency," he adds.  VNA hopes to continue on the path of energy efficiency by securing additional grant money to improve air systems, add solar energy generating devices and a Direct Digital Control system which allows for remote access to systems to maximize performance.  

The VNA is a 105-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.

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CEO Church Hindes Stepping Down From VNA Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/4/11

Colchester, Vermont - The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) celebrated longtime staff and volunteers last evening at its Annual Staff and Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington. During his Year in Review, VNA President and CEO Church Hindes announced that he is stepping down from his leadership of Vermont's largest and oldest non-profit home health and hospice agency, a post that he has held for over 12 years. Hindes plans to leave the agency in summer 2012. A search committee, led by Board chair James Madison, has been formed and has begun its work to identify the next leader of the VNA's nearly 700 staff and 700 volunteers.

"At the VNA my role has been more the conductor of a talented orchestra than a traditional CEO. Directing the VNA for twelve years has been beyond my dreams. My plans are to seek out one more opportunity before I hang up my baton - to apply what the VNA has taught me and to make a difference - in a different way," said Hindes.

To mark his final annual event, Hindes chose to award the 2011 Richard H. Wadhams Award to VNA staff and volunteers.  The VNA's highest honor, the Wadhams Award is given in recognition of individuals who generously provide outstanding support to VNA programs and participate in efforts to increase public awareness of home health care and related services. "The VNA resides in the hearts and hands of our staff and volunteers," said Hindes. "We are not a big building or an accumulation of fancy equipment. We do our work in patients' homes across our community. Our staff mends people, we remedy troubles - we contribute a foundation of wellness on which the entire community can rest. Our staff and our volunteers are who we are, they are how our mission is fulfilled," he added. Past Wadhams Award recipients include, Holly Miller, Lois McClure, Arnold Golodetz, Betsy Davis, and Michael Breen.

In his Board chair remarks, Madison announced that the annual Community Service Award would be renamed the J. Churchill Hindes Community Service Award, "to honor a man who so exemplifies the notion of community service and support of the VNA that this award represents. I can think of no one more deserving - and nothing more fitting - than to link Church's name with VNA and Community Service." The 2011 award was presented to YMCA Camp Abnaki director Jon Kuypers and his staff. Camp Abnaki hosts the VNA's annual family bereavement camp, Camp Knock Knock, each June. Camp Knock Knock is the only program of its kind in Vermont.

Andrea Kenney and Holly Miller were recognized for their respective 30 and 25 years as VNA Hospice volunteers.  Denise McClaughlin, RN  was inducted into the Quarter Century Club for her 25 years of service to the VNA and Pat Wright, RN was honored as the VNA's  longest tenured staffer in history with 45 years of service.

The VNA is a 105-year-old non-profit home health agency caring for people of all ages – from critically ill children to vulnerable families to adults who need rehabilitation, care for chronic illness, 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 over 5,000 individuals and families in Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties each year. For more information on VNA services and programs, please contact the VNA at (802) 658-1900.

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VNA Announces 2011 Seasonal Flu Clinic Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/10/11

Colchester, Vermont - The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) announces their 2011 series of seasonal flu vaccination clinics. VNA flu clinics are offered for adults aged 18 and older and will be held at convenient locations throughout Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties into January 2012. Flu shots are always administered by a licensed nurse.

“Getting your flu shot early is the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal influenza,” says Linda Martinez, RN, manager of VNA Corporate and Community Wellness Programs. “The timing of flu is unpredictable from season to season, but it can begin as early as October.”

The Vermont Department of Health is recommending that all persons 6 months of age or older should receive a seasonal flu shot to reduce the risk of becoming ill with seasonal influenza or of transmitting influenza to others. It is especially important for people with high risk of having serious flu-related complications or who care for people at high risk. These people include:

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall. The VNA offers these additional tips to help prevent the spread of flu:

Eligible individuals should present their Medicare B or Medicaid cards when registering. For all other adults aged 18 and older, a fee of $30 will be accepted. Documentation for third party insurers will be provided. Parents are encouraged to check with their child’s health care provider about getting the flu vaccine. For more information on the 2011-2012 VNA seasonal flu clinics, please call the VNA at (802) 658-1900 or visit www.vnacares.org/flu.

The VNA is a 105-year-old non-profit home health agency caring for people of all ages – from critically ill children to vulnerable families to adults who need rehabilitation, care for chronic illness, 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 over 5,000 individuals and families in Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties each year. For more information on VNA services and programs, please contact the VNA at (802) 658-1900.

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