Our History

In 1968, Lyn Rothwell, a registered nurse from Vermont, recognized the need for home care in Lawrence after moving from the east coast. She enlisted friends, Dr. Ralph Reed and the Honorable Fred Six, to create the framework for a home care organization that would fill a gap in the healthcare sector. Together with the community, they raised $5,000 in order to obtain a $20,000 Federal Government grant which assisted in the opening of the organization. This not-for-profit organization began operations on February 2, 1969, working out of an unfinished basement at 342 Missouri. That first year, VNA provided 2,624 visits to patients and families who often did not know where to turn for assistance.

VNA experience significant growth over the years and moved to several different office locations in an attempt to accommodate that growth. In addition to the original location, VNA had office at 701 New Hampshire Street, in the remodeled south wing of the old hospital at 336 Missouri Street, and 2901 Lakeview Road before moving into a long-term home with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. This milestone was achieved on August 23, 1999, when Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation, and Hospice teams united under one roof at the Community Health Facility at 200 Maine Street, where we continue to serve the community today.

The scope of care expanded in August 1981 when VNA incorporated Hospice Care under its umbrella. This enhancement allowed for improved services for terminally ill patients while ensuring efficient use of staff resources and preventing duplication of efforts. In 2009, VNA’s non-medical care program, Help at Home was launched to provide support services to help community members age in place. This enhancement to VNA’s continuum of care inspired the slogan, “all your home care needs under one roof.” 

In more than 57 years of caring for Douglas County and the surrounding areas, VNA has made more than 1.7 million visits to over 47,000 patients. VNA has touched the lives of countless family members and friends, as well as employing hundreds of staff since 1969. VNA will continue to provide care for years to come, thanks to committed staff and generous community support.