VNA Health Group Spring 2024 Newsletter

The Giving Impact

Moving Healthcare Forward: Together Campaign

Moving Healthcare Forward: Together Campaign has Raised Over $19.6 Million

The VNAHG’s comprehensive capital campaign Moving Healthcare Forward: Together launched in 2022 with a philanthropic goal of raising $25 million by the end of 2025. To date, over $19.6 million has been raised for programs, services, and those cared for within our communities.

The four bold opportunities that drive all of this funding are: Making Healthcare Equitable, Creating the Workforce of Tomorrow, Impacting Behavioral Health, and Bringing Dignity to Aging. All 25 established strategic goals of the campaign fall into one of these areas as the pillars of the work of the VNAHG, and remain the funding priorities for 2025 and beyond.

Looking to make an impact?

Your Gift Today = IMPACT

Your chartiable gift will ensure that VNAHG’s vital programs can continue in New Jersey, Ohio and Southeast Florida, improving the health and well-being of all patients in need.

Ways to Give:

DONATE ONLINE: www.VNAHG.org/donate

TEXT: GIVETOVNA to 41444

CALL: 732-224-6780

MAKE CHECK Payable to VNAHG

MAIL TO: VNAHG Philanthropy Department 3600 Route 66, FL4, Neptune, NJ 07753

IRA Rollovers and Gifts of appreciated securities are also accepted. For more information, please call 732-224-6780

OHIO NEWS

Hospital in the Home brings new options for patients with sickle cell disease

VNA of Ohio is partnering with Cleveland’s MetroHealth Hospital to bring home care to Cleveland area patients living with sickle cell disease through an innovative Hospital in the Home program. People with sickle cell disease, a serious blood abnormality, suffer from symptoms like joint pain, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, and low oxygen. Currently, sickle cell patients are among the most frequent users of Metro’s Emergency Department. Most come in for severe pain and end up staying in the hospital for an average of seven days. But the new Hospital in the Home program aims to change that. Some patients will have the option to go home and receive a daily virtual visit from their doctor, as well as two in-person visits from a VNA of Ohio registered nurse. The primary focus is pain management. Metro overcame regulatory hurdles and created treatments that can be safely administered at home. While still in the early stages, the program is an innovative approach to caring for more people in their own homes where they are most comfortable.

Thirteen visionary

women broke down barriers

to start the VNA of Ohio

In the early 1900s, as industry was rapidly growing in Cleveland, so was urban overcrowding, poverty, pollution and disease. A group of visionary women, known as the Baker’s Dozen, set out to tackle the city’s increasing humanitarian issues.

These women, from Cleveland’s most affluent families, partnered with another formidable group – the Cleveland Graduate Nurses’ Association. Together, this diverse group of women recognized the potential in collaborating, leveraging their knowledge, and applying “traditional female skills” to broader purposes. They broke down the boundaries of women’s roles as caregivers to paid professionals, while bringing much-needed healthcare to those who would not otherwise be able to access it.

Treasures of Cleveland - Thursday, September 26 Windows On The River in Cleveland, OH

This year’s event is celebrating VNA of Ohio’s founders, the Baker’s Dozen, a group of 13 women in Cleveland that helped create our organization in 1902. Event honorees will be Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Executive, for the Community Leader Award and Carol Musil, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, Dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, for the Art of Caring Award. We invite you to support this year’s fun, casual event while enjoying an exciting evening featuring casino games, cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and delicious food stations, a robust chance auction, dancing and more. Treasures of Cleveland helps VNA of Ohio raise vital funds and awareness for our home care, hospice, and behavioral health programs that reach thousands of residents of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio every year.

For questions please contact Tracy Neal, TNeal@vnaohio.org.

Grant Spotlight

New

grant

helps Monmouth County residents connect with urgently needed services

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey’s Children and Family Health Institute was recently awarded a two-year grant of $300,000 from the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners to help residents connect with urgently needed services.

In addition to making it more seamless for Monmouth County residents to receive vital services, the new system also improves communication among service providers.

“It is so important for all of us to be able to communicate and coordinate care,” said MaryBeth DeBrito, RN, Manager, Nurse Community Care Coordination. DeBrito provides oversight for the new grant.

“Navigating the health and social service network can be very complicated, especially for someone in need,” she added. “This new system will keep more people from falling through the cracks.”

Too often, some residents are not able to follow up and access the services they need upon their initial request. The new VNA grant will fund additional follow-up to ensure connection is made with needed service providers.

Working in coordination with the county, DeBrito’s team will be helping residents receive crucial resources like food, housing, medical care, employment, and behavioral healthcare.

“Monmouth County has so many great resources, but there are still challenges in really connecting with residents, and that is where the valuable Service Coordinator steps in to help” added DeBrito.

Moving Healthcare Forward Podcast

Join us as we talk about our mission to empower individuals and families throughout every stage of life, from prenatal to end-of-life care. On the Moving Healthcare Forward podcast, we will hear from remarkable patients and caregivers in our community, who share their beautiful and inspiring stories around homecare, hospice and community-based care and so much more.

Last year, Carlos survived a horrific motorcycle accident, enduring multiple severe injuries. With the help of VNA Health Group’s dedicated professionals, including nurse Eileen and physical therapist Diana, Carlos was able to receive the necessary physical rehabilitation and emotional support to overcome his challenging road to recovery. Tune in to the newest podcast episode showcasing Carlos’ inspiring journey to healing through VNAHG’s homecare services.

Program Spotlight

Visiting Physician Services

House Calls Make Life Easier

Remember the days when doctors made house calls? They still do! Visiting Physician Services (VPS), part of the Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNA Health Group, has been making house calls to older adults and homebound patients for over 30 years. Our mission is to enable patients to stay comfortably at home as they age with an improved quality of life.

For many geriatric patients who increasingly struggle with trips to the doctor’s office because they have mobility issues, chronic illnesses or simply are unable to leave the home, a visiting doctor is a lifeline, enabling them to receive comprehensive care without leaving the comfort and safety of home. These home visits can also provide a major relief for caregivers, whose burden is lessened when they no longer need to arrange transportation for routine checkups and tests, or worry about how they are going to get a sick loved one out of the house safely.

VPS becomes the primary care provider, taking a comprehensive and therapeutic approach that ensures patients stay as healthy as possible. This includes helping to keep patients out of the hospital and emergency room.

Comprehensive Care

Comprehensive care includes physical exams, managing chronic conditions, medication management, wound care, in-home diagnostic testing, Telehealth and much more. Visiting Physician works closely with other home care and visiting specialists including visiting podiatrists, dentists, audiologists, optometrists, durable medical companies, physical therapy, behavioral health counseling, visiting nurse services, palliative and hospice care.

“One of the biggest health care trends, as it applies to VPS, is the aging patient. People are living longer and living with chronic illnesses, and we’re starting to see an aging and sicker population who cannot get to the doctor’s office,” said Alex Binder, Vice President, Parker Advanced Care Institute. “Transporting them to the doctor and waiting around provides more risk to their health. House calls offer a safe alternative to traditional hospital-based medicine. We think this is the future of healthcare.”

Visiting Physician provides services in eight New Jersey counties and accepts Medicare, Horizon, Braven, Aetna, Amerigroup/Wellpoint and WellCare.

For more information, call 732-571-1000, email info@visiting-physician.com or visit vnahg.org/vps

Event Spotlight

Saturday, September 14 Beach Ball

Chapel Beach Club, Sea Bright, NJ

Beach Ball is back! Kerry and Tammy O’Brien, along with O’Brien Realty, are being honored for their continuing support of VNA Health Group. This casual end-of-summer party on the Jersey Shore will feature fare from local restaurants and food trucks, fabulous items in both live and silent auctions, dancing to your favorite music spun by a world class DJ, and more!

Friday, October 25

Emerging Leadership Board’s Shake, Rattle, and Roll Cross and Orange, Asbury Park, NJ

Join us on Friday, October 25, at Cross and Orange in Asbury Park for a fun evening of dueling pianos, dinner, and silent auction. The event benefits the VNA Health Group’s Children and Family Health Institute.

Saturday, December 7 Holiday Bash

Spring Lake Golf Club, Spring Lake, NJ

holiday bash Beach Ball

Support the VNA Health Group’s programs and services by attending the Holiday Bash on Saturday, December 7, at Spring Lake Golf Club. St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish will be recognized for its significant support of VNAHG and the thousands served in our communities. Our holiday party will feature a silent auction, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet, and dancing.

CAR RAFFLE

Thursday, December 12 Car Raffle Drawing

VNA Health Group Headquarters, Neptune, NJ

This year’s raffle will feature a beautiful 2024 Ford Bronco! Look for raffle sales opening up in May to purchase your lucky ticket. Tickets are $100 each and a maximum of just 1,500 tickets will be sold.

11th Annual Rockin’ by the River

On Saturday, April 20th, 165 guests rocked out at the gorgeous Rumson Country Club Riverhouse to benefit the Cristine Meredith Miele Fund (CMMF) and VNACJ’s Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (CEED). Evening festivities included a wine toss, silent auction, and live music sponsored by The River Road Band. With over $33,000 raised in net revenue, the funds will enable the CMMF and VNACJ to provide early diagnosis, prevention, and breast cancer awareness through programs that serve vulnerable, at-risk individuals in our community, regardless of insurance or financial resources.

Board Spotlight

Eileen O’Hern Luby, Vice Chair, VNAHG Board of Trustees

Longtime trustee and supporter of VNA, Eileen O’Hern Luby, Esq., has stepped into the role of Vice Chair of the VNAHG Board of Trustees. She previously served as the Board’s secretary.

Among Luby’s many contributions to the organization is her pivotal role in establishing the Cristine Meredith Miele Fund, which supports community breast health initiatives.

This effort is very personal for her. Cristine Meredith Miele was a close friend and mother of three who passed away from breast cancer in 2010. Soon after, Luby helped set up a nonprofit foundation to raise money in honor of her dear friend. That foundation later merged with VNAHG to become the Cristine Meredith Miele Fund, a restricted fund which supplements the VNA’s Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) Program. The CEED Program funds mammograms and other screening services for those who previously may not have qualified due to income restrictions.

“Women are getting mammograms who may not have otherwise,” said Luby. “We love that we fill that gap!”

The fund promotes early detection and awareness of preventative measures, such as screenings, testing, and diagnostic services regardless of financial means. Luby points out that these early detection measures result in significantly higher chances for survival.

“Joining the foundation with the VNA enabled us to impact many more women,” she said. “We focus on women who do not qualify for CEED but still may fall through the cracks.”

The Harvard Law School alumna also brings her expertise to chairing two VNA board committees - the Ethics Committee, which advises VNA employees who face complex ethical decisions with their patients, and the Institutional Review Board, which reviews research and legal compliance for published research projects.

Beyond her board service, Luby says her most important connection to VNA came when her mother was injured in a terrible accident.

“I saw firsthand the nurses caring for her at home – and was so grateful,” said Luby. “They are very devoted and work so hard.”

Luby, a Red Bank native, attended Red Bank Catholic High school and went on to Wellesley College. No stranger to big families, she is one of five children and mother of four adult children. In her spare time, she loves being active and enjoys all things outdoors.

As the VNAHG Board Vice Chair, she looks forward to collaborating with her fellow board members and helping the VNA continue its vital work.

“I love to support everything they do,” she added.

Employee Spotlight

B80 Hospice North

Dear Ms. Shehaj,

My name is Ivette, daughter of Bonifacio. Alper was assigned as Hospice Nurse for my Dad, Bonifacio, who passed away on August 21, 2023. I have been searching for Nurse Apler’s e-mail address for months now, and I finally found it! I wanted you to know how we truly feel about Nurse Alper and his assistance and guidance during Dad’s illness. We were truly blessed to have gotten Alper as Dad’s nurse. I can only say good things about him. He not only helped Dad, but my sister Elsie depended on his knowledge and guidance to assist with Dad. Elsie, Marilyn and I, have learned so much from him and we are grateful that he was always there when we needed him! And, thank God that he was there when Dad passed and prepared us for what was coming! We would have been lost and devastated had it not been for Alper! Words can’t truly express all the gratitude and love we have for Nurse Alper, but just wanted you to know how truly valuable he was to us and how well his care for Dad was. I know he has other patients and I am positive that they will get 200% from Alper, always! So THANK YOU SO MUCH to Nurse Alper and to VNA for giving us the opportunity to have met and worked with Alper!!