Who we are > Milestones

1974  
  • In August, Marion Oechsner, William E. Terry, Barbara Morrison, RN, and George Kuhn discuss the possibility of establishing a Visiting Nurse Association in Vero Beach
  • William E. Terry was elected VNA's first chairman
1975 
  • VNA is chartered as a nonprofit home health agency by a group of volunteers who later become the first Board of Directors  
  • 80 home visits made during first month of operation
1976  
  • Medicare provider number issued
  • Staff includes two nurses, one home health aide, a physical therapist and a secretary
  • Travel Adventure Series established as fund-raising event 
  • 1,605 patient visits 
1977  
  • Rapid growth mandates need for two additional nurses
  • Blood pressure screenings and other community services initiated 
1978  
  • VNA exceeds 7,000 patient visits 
1979  
  • Staff increases to 24
1980  
  • Memorial/Endowment Fund established  
1981  
  • Medicare direct billing via computer
1982
  • VNA joins forces with Hospice of the Treasure Coast to provide care for patients with terminal illnesses
1985  
  • Staff increases to 30
  • Memorials and contributions total $15,000
1986 
  • 37 VNA Hospice patients served
  • Human Services building groundbreaking
1987  
  • After six moves in 11 years, the agency relocates to its headquarters on the grounds of IRC Hospital District  
1988  
  • More than 2,000 volunteer hours donated by 53 volunteers
1989  
  • Staff increases to 150
1990  
  • 15th anniversary
1991  
  • First Golf-A-Thon raises $25,000
1992  
  • In its first year of service, VNA Health Care on Wheels mobile unit treats more than 1,400 south Florida patients in need following Hurricane Andrew  
1993  
  • VNA Hospice serves more than 300 patients and families
  • 75,000 home visits
1994   
  • 3,000-plus immunizations administered to Indian River County residents via “Shoo the Flu” campaign
1995  
  • Camp Chrysalis children bereavement camp first session
  • VNA Hospice Thrift Avenue opens
1996  
  • VNA Hospice House campaign launched
1998  
  • Fourth Annual Women’s Health Expo reaches more than 1,000 women with health screenings
  • VNA Hospice incorporates the term ‘palliative care’ into its description of services 
  • VNA Hospice House groundbreaking 
1999  
  • 82,990 home visits  
2000  
  • 10th Golf-A-Thon raises $103,000
  • VNA Space Coast office opens
  • Inaugural Treasure Coast Wine Auction raises $123,000 for VNA & Hospice Foundation
  • Staff increases to 338
  • VNA Hospice House opens
  • More than 300 volunteers contribute 25,538 hours
2001  
  • VNA Space Coast office receives Medicare certification
  • Volunteer program increases by 26 percent, a $415,388 value
  • Dr. Richard Cunningham’s role expanded to VNA Medical Director 
  • Point-of-care conversion; 60 laptop computer devices used in the field 
  • Hospice House serves 156 patients 
2002  
  • VNA collaborates with local nonprofit agencies to create Women & Philanthropy program 
  • Space Coast office serves 304 patients 
2003  
  • L.W. Pierce Family Foundation donates $1 million to VNA Hospice House Endowment Campaign   
  • VNA initiates Healthcare Workforce Roundtable with local health care representatives 
  • More than 350 volunteers donate 28,379 hours 
2004  
  • Indian River County Hospital District purchases new, state-of-the-art Health Care on Wheels mobile unit
  • Rehabilitation therapy program expanded to include physical, occupational and speech language pathology 
  • VNA Health Care on Wheels mobile unit treats hundreds of Indian River and Charlotte county patients in need following hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne 
  • VNA clinical and office staff work more than 4,000 hours at special needs shelter during hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 
2005
  • VNA of the Treasure Coast celebrates its 30th anniversary
  • New model of care developed including cardiac, orthopedic/wound, and diabetes/urology teams
  • Approximately 5,600 patients receive care on VNA Mobile Unit
2006
  • VNA introduces a new brand identity "Comprehensive Healthcare. We're There." to the community
  • VNA Hidden Treasures resale boutique opens at new Vero "Miracle Mile" location
  • 16th Annual VNA Golf-A-Thon raises $168,000 for charitable home health and hospice care.
2007
  • VNA opens Sebastian office
  • VNA launches in-home telemonitoring initiative
  • Over 99,000 visits made
  • VNA Hospice serves 975 patients
  • More than 16,000 flu and pneumonia shots provided
  • Companion program re-branded as "Friends with Wheels"
  • 17th annual Golf-A-Thon raises more than $195,000
  • Mobile Unit services expanded to seven days per week, including new location in Wabasso; nealy 6,000 patient visits