Humble beginnings
On February 2, 1969, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, Inc. (VNA) officially opened an office in an unfinished basement at 342 Missouri St. It was a humble beginning, but a crucial moment for improving access to healthcare in Douglas County and the surrounding areas. The work to bring home health care to the area started even earlier, when Lyn Rothwell, a Registered Nurse from Vermont, recognized the need for homecare 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 homecare organization that would fill a gap in the healthcare sector. Together with the community, they raised $5,000 in matching funds to obtain a $20,000 Federal Government Grant which assisted in the opening of the organization. This was an early sign of the wonderful community support that has been vital to VNA’s mission.
A drawing of the building at 342 Missouri St. that housed the original VNA office in its basement.
Growing and Moving
VNA experienced 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 offices 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. VNA moved into the Community Health Facility in 1999.
The Community Health Facility houses VNA's office on the third floor.
After recognizing a need for end-of-life care in the community, Hospice care was added to VNA’s services in 1981. 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.” Today, VNA continues to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the community.
A photo collage of past VNA patients and staff members.
A lasting impact
In more than 57 years of caring for Douglas County and the surrounding areas, VNA has touched the lives of countless patients, family members and friends, as well as employing hundreds of staff since 1969. This has only been possible thanks to the incredible community that surrounds VNA. It has taken the trust of patients and their families who have relied on VNA for their care and the generous support that so many individuals and organizations provided in support of VNA’s mission.
In the last 57 years, so much has changed, but VNA’s commitment to providing high-quality care to patients in their homes remains as strong as ever, as does the support of the community.