2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of the Treasure Coast and provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the organization’s humble beginnings in the community and how far it has come.
Launched with only one registered nurse and one home health aide, the non-profit today employs over 400 caregivers, and as many volunteers, who are committed to the health care of Indian River County residents. “I don’t believe it occurred to any of the founders that the VNA would expand as rapidly as it did,” said Ann Marie McCrystal, a co-founder, former Board Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the VNA organization. But, “within a very short period, it became apparent that home care was an essential need for Indian River County residents, and with that growth came the need for increased staffing.”
The main purpose in starting the VNA was to provide a home care program for patients in the community whose physicians were no longer making house calls for follow-up care, recalls Ann Marie. In 1974, a new resident to the community, Marion Oechsner, recognized this need and organized a group of dedicated volunteers in response. That group of volunteers, now known as VNA’s founders, included Ann Marie McCrystal, Celeta Arden, Helen Brackins, George Kuhn, Pat Moore, Barbara Morrison, Ted Chenault, William Terry and Marion Oechsner herself. The founders chose the non-profit Visiting Nurse Association as its home care organization to set the standard of providing care to residents in the community regardless of their financial standing. “As a registered nurse, it would not have occurred to me to be part of an organization that only catered to the privileged population, leaving the vulnerable without equitable care that they most needed,” said Ann Marie.
President and CEO of the VNA, Lundy Fields, concurs: “Serving the under- and uninsured is a key aspect of the VNA because it embodies the core values of our WHY? Statement – integrity, compassion, knowledge, and LOVE – with our non-profit commitment to serve those regardless of ability to pay. Since these individuals are often the most vulnerable, facing significant challenges, the VNA is here to ensure the under- and uninsured have access to home health and hospice services.”
In 1975, the VNA was fully established and in its first month, alone, made 80 home visits for patients discharged from the hospital requiring home care, thanks to one very special nurse, Sue Schlitt, as well as an attending home health aide. Patient demand for the two VNA caregivers grew at warp speed, quickly laying bare the need for additional staff. Since many of the patients requiring care were without the financial means to pay for VNA services, it was determined by the board of directors to create the VNA & Hospice Foundation, whose mission is to support the programs and services of the VNA of the Treasure Coast, relying on the generosity of its donors to do so.
Shortly after the VNA’s founding, the hospice movement took hold throughout the United States, and many VNA patients were in need of this unique end-of-life care. Always on the forefront of providing state-of-the-art services, the VNA obtained the licensing and certification to become an approved hospice care provider in Indian River County to serve these patients. “This gave the VNA the opportunity to provide the much-needed continuity of care that patients so deserved throughout their illness without interruption in service,” said Ann Marie.
The recently renovated VNA Hospice House is a physical manifestation of that service, ensuring optimal round-the-clock care for patients whose symptoms could not be managed at home. Originally opened in 2000, this spacious 12,000 square foot building features 12 private and beautifully appointed patient rooms, each with an en suite bathroom and private lanai. Its construction was “a labor of love for the Indian River community,” according to the current Board Chair of the VNA & Hospice Foundation, Carol Kanarek. “We saw a need, and fortunately for us, many likeminded individuals came together and aided in the building of this special place.”
Carol’s late father was a VNA Hospice patient in 1991, leading Carol to become involved with the organization in 1997 at the request of former hospice board member, Patty Blythe. In addition to her current position as Board Chair of the VNA & Hospice Foundation, Carol has served as Chair of the Hospice Board and Chair of the VNA of the Treasure Coast.
To complement its home health care and hospice programs, in the early 1980s the VNA launched VNA Private Care targeting clients who were in need of longer hours of caregiver service and who were able to pay for this high level of care. Initially, the VNA staffed this program with agency contractors but eventually switched to using VNA caregivers exclusively. “The private care component of ‘Continuity of Care’ ensures that our patients feel comfortable in utilizing that service if 24-hour care is needed and preferred to ensure safety and comfort over longer periods of time,” said Ann Marie.
“Private care is equally important as we live in an aging community and many of us need that ‘little extra’ that private care can afford to give,” noted Carol. “Family members are often out of state, and private care affords the patient and family members a sense of security. We want our community to remain healthy and active as long as possible.”
To honor the VNA’s many contributions to, and longstanding place in our community, a proclamation will be presented at the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners Board meeting on April 8.
The VNA has also created a special 2025 commemorative logo as well as a short video featuring some of the original founders of the VNA, including Ann Marie McCrystal and can be viewed on vnatc.com and vnatc.org.
But the number one way to celebrate the organization, VNA leadership agrees, is by ensuring the VNA’s longevity. Lundy Fields has a clear vision of how to achieve this: “As we approach this profound milestone, my main hopes and goals are to: 1) strengthen our legacy by cementing our commitment to deliver on the WHY? Statement for the next 50 years, 2) continue the VNA’s care innovation heritage by embracing new technologies and approaches to enhance our patient and family experience, 3) foster a strong VNA servant leader culture centered around providing the highest quality of patient and family care and caring for each other; 4) ensure the agency’s financial health and operational effectiveness, so it remains a trusted provider for the next 50 years.”
Carol Kanarek is also committed to doing her part to ensure the VNA & Hospice Foundation stays viable: “Our goal for the future is to continue to serve the residents of Indian River County. The Foundation continues to raise funds to support the agency wherever necessary. As we all know, healthcare is tough to navigate, but we hope to be here another 50 years to continue caring for Indian River County.”
