The Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown & Vicinity is celebrating 95 years of quality compassionate

care

In 1917, the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown & Vicinity (VNA of Pottstown & Vicinity) was established

when Mrs. James Roe and Mrs. Allen Hoffer called together a group of women to discuss the need for

community nurses. They asked Miss Rena Baumeister and Mrs. Kennedy, to accept positions as visiting nurses.

Mrs. Kennedy also held the position of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s nurse for policy holders, and

accepted calls for VNAP at Metropolitan Life. Although Mrs. Kennedy had no car, she covered the entire Pottstown

area, using public transportation or simply walking.

The nurses’ primary duties were to provide care to the sick of Pottstown, particularly those who could not afford health care or who were otherwise not in a position to seek care.

In the early years, during the depression, they met the basic physical needs of clients. At that time needs were

clothing and cod liver oil, an old home remedy.

They provided bedside care, teaching methods of caring for ill loved ones, and instruction on cleanliness. Through the

professionalism and expertise of Mrs. Kennedy, the physicians came to respect, trust and rely on the nurses, to work with

them to improve the care available to the Pottstown community. In addition, the nurses established superior relationships with patients, families, and social services

agencies. By 1936 the nurses were providing instruction on home care of the ill, specific treatments, hygienic training,

household safety instruction, and care for babies.

From 1947 to 1953 when Metropolitan Life Insurance Company discontinued their provided nursing services to policy holders, VNAP began providing nursing services to

these individuals. Miss Leona Smith also served as an early nurse for VNAP. She had a desk where she accepted calls at the YWCA. Although she also did not have a car,

The Junior League graciously purchased one for her.

YWCA

Since money was always tight, VNAP engaged in fundraising efforts to continue its mission. One such effort was throughout the 1960’s when Board Members sold

watermelons door to door. In the early 70’s, VNAP purchased a house on High Street, close to the same location where they

reside today.

Construction of the current VNAP office

During this decade, services became increasingly more technical. In 1998, VNAP became part of Home Health

Care Management’s (HHCM) family of companies, along with sister companies BVNA and AHC. While maintaining

its own identity in the Pottstown Community, the new relationship enabled VNAP to share administrative

expenses and technical expertise with similar organizations.

Yes, we are way more than just one nurse. We do way more than walking door to door. We have the medical

capability to handle much more than we could before. But we are still making the lives of the people in our

communities healthier and happier…at home.

610-327-5700 vnapottstown.org

Our family caring for your family ®

• 501 (3) Non-Profit

• Reader’s Choice Winner• United Way Agency