OUR MISSION
Improving quality of life through compassionate patient care, wherever you call home
OUR VISION
To be the leading home care partner, applying innovation to support staff, program growth and our community.
OUR VALUES
• To affirm the dignity and worth of human life.
• To promote creativity and lifelong learning in an atmosphere of cooperation, teamwork and fairness.
• To be trustworthy and maintain integrity in all of our interactions.
• To be a financially viable, cost-effective, not-for-profit organization.
• To maintain excellence as evidenced by positive, measurable outcomes.
• To be adaptable in an evolving environment.
Clinical Administrative Manager Lani Rothwell, left, stands with Director of Clinical Services Sue Iverson. Rothwell was recognized for her 30 years of service to VNA..
MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Lewis, M.H.S.A.
January 2023 marked my 10th anniversary as CEO of Douglas County Visiting Nurses (VNA). I am continuously humbled by the opportunity to lead this organization of compassionate caregivers in such a generous and supportive community.
VNA celebrated its 54th anniversary in February. I often wonder how our founder, Lyn Rothwell, and all who succeeded her would view how the agency has evolved. This year was one of continuing post-COVID renewals and navigating the many changes that impact our industry, particularly for Home Health. Pay-for-performance becomes more ingrained across healthcare and Home Health is the most recent beneficiary of that approach. “Value-based purchasing,” a new payment model for Medicare-certified home health agencies, officially launched for us in 2023. This year is our “baseline performance” year by which our 2025 Medicare reimbursement will be based.
We continued to work our strategic initiatives, one of which related to recruitment of nurse aides who are an integral part of our patient care teams. This is particularly true for our private pay Help at Home program which is comprised almost solely of Certified Nurse Aides and/or Certified Home Health Aides (who cross all programs). VNA is fortunate to have a strong relationship with the program offered at the Lawrence College and Career Center (LCCC), and we have recruited a number of employees from there. This collaboration is a win for all parties as VNA provides flexible hours for student schedules and the opportunity to pursue additional certification for those interested.
This report is but a small sample of the depth and breadth of VNA’s role with patients and our community. Our success depends on your continuous support and encouragement. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Cynthia Lewis CEO, Visiting Nurses Association
Cynthia
The VNA team celebrated the agency’s 54th anniversary in 2023.
HOSPICE: PROVIDING END-OF-LIFE CARE
DESERVES
This year, VNA faced an increase in competition for hospice patients by companies outside of Douglas County.
“We are a not-for-profit community hospice,” said Hospice Manager Debbie Ahlert-Caffey. “We provide hospice to anyone in our community, even if we use our charity dollars to give people the end-of-life care they deserve.”
In addition to a physician-directed care plan for each patient, which includes nursing, social work, care aides and more, Ahlert-Caffey attributes the success of VNA’s Hospice program to its robust volunteer program that provides haircuts, massages, yardwork, end-of-life doulas, caregiver relief, aides for household needs, music therapy and much more.
10,095 Hospice visits in 2023
283 Hospice patients served in 2023
VNA’s Hospice services continue to support the family after a patient has passed. “For 13 months after the patient passes, VNA is supporting the family and caregivers with bereavement, including individual counseling, grief groups, spiritual support and other guidance,” said Ahlert-Caffey.
Spiritual Care Provider and Bereavement Coordinator Kevin Lee is one such support to VNA Hospice patients and their families. Lee was named the Marceil Lauppe Employee of the Year at the 2023 Employee Appreciation Dinner. Lee has been a tremendous asset to the VNA Hospice team and the agency. He’s not a typical chaplain and that’s what makes him exceptional. He can talk about spirituality in an approachable way.
16,093 hours of Help at Home care provided in 2023
141 Help at Home patients served in 2023 17,527 Home Health visits in 2023
981 Home Health patients served in 2023
10,095 Hospice visits in 2023
283 Hospice patients served in 2023
Spiritual Care Provider/Bereavement Coordinator Kevin Lee and Hospice Social Worker Mickey Dick stand together at VNA’s Employee Appreciation Dinner. Lee was named the Marceil Lauppe Employee of the Year in 2023 for his contribution to bereavement care for VNA’s hospice patients and their families.
16,093 hours of Help at Home care provided in 2023
141 Help at Home patients served in 2023
VNA is grateful for gifts from all
992 donors in 2023
Visit KansasVNA.org to see a complete list of donors.
17,527 Home Health visits in 2023
HELP AT
HOME: STAYING FLEXIBLE TO
HELP OUR
PATIENTS
Flexibility is the key to VNA’s Help at Home program, according to Help at Home Manager Pat Deaver.
“We’re here to help you stay in your home to age appropriately,” said Deaver. “We come into each patient’s home and provide the care that they need. Each patient is active in what those cares are, whether it be one hour a day or 24 hours a day, hands-on care, caregiver relief or help around the house. We’re flexible.”
10,095 Hospice visits in 2023
283 Hospice patients served in 2023
VNA’s Help at Home program is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Deaver reports that the biggest challenge facing the program is staffing shortage. Deaver counteracts this shortage by recruiting Help at Home staff at local career colleges, such as Lawrence College & Career Center, Blue Valley Schools Center for Advanced Professional Studies, and Neosho County Career Fair for Nursing & Allied Health.
16,093 hours of Help at Home care provided in 2023
141 Help at Home patients served in 2023
“One thing about VNA is the flexibility” said Deaver. Flexible Help at Home hours allow staff to continue their education, take care of their own families, and provide care for VNA patients.
17,527 Home Health visits in 2023
981 Home Health patients served in 2023
2023 Fundraising and Grants: $528,761.05
3.d Casino Night Fundraiser
Annual Appeal
United Way
Ethel and Raymond F. Rice Foundation Grant
Douglas County Community Foundation Grant
Douglas County Grant
2023 Other Support: $612,344.04 Memorials Other Monetary Donations Other In-kind Donations (3.d, Hospice, General, and Building & Services) Major Gifts
Tina, CNA, assists Help at Home patient, Deb Young, with meal preparation.
One thing Home Health Manager–Nursing Services Elizabeth Hunsinger is proudest about is supporting her own community.
17,527 Home Health visits in 2023
981 Home Health patients served in 2023
“Visiting Nurses is people who live in Douglas County serving the people of Douglas County to make a better community,” said Hunsinger.
Home Health provides skilled nursing; physical, occupational and speech therapy; and social work to help patients “get stronger and be successful at home so they don’t have to go back to the hospital," she added.
“Social workers provide resources for what is available in the community for our patients, from transportation to meals and more.
Therapy helps patients get stronger, and sets up their homes to be safer, allowing patients to heal and age in place.”
VNA Business Development Manager Lori McSorley enjoys a slice of cake with Home Health Manager-Nursing Services Elizabeth Hunsinger. Hunsinger made more than 30 homemade birthday cakes for VNA staff during the year.