1. The Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown
& Vicinity is celebrating 95 years of quality
compassionate care

2. In 1917, the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown & Vicinity (VNA
of Pottstown & Vicinity) was established when Mrs. James Roe and
Mrs. Allen Hoffer called together a group of women to discuss the
need for community nurses. They asked Miss Rena Baumeister and
Mrs. Kennedy, to accept positions as visiting nurses.

3. Mrs. Kennedy also held the position of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company’s nurse for policy holders, and accepted calls for VNAP at
Metropolitan Life. Although Mrs. Kennedy had no car, she covered the
entire Pottstown area, using public transportation or simply walking.

4. The nurses’ primary duties were to provide care to the sick of Pottstown,
particularly those who could not afford health care or who were
otherwise not in a position to seek care. In the early years, during the
depression, they met the basic physical needs of clients. At that time
needs were clothing and cod liver oil, an old home remedy.

5. They provided bedside care, teaching methods of caring for ill loved ones,
and instruction on cleanliness. Through the professionalism and expertise of
Mrs. Kennedy, the physicians came to respect, trust and rely on the nurses, to
work with them to improve the care available to the Pottstown community. In
addition, the nurses established superior relationships with patients,
families, and social services agencies. By 1936 the nurses were providing
instruction on home care of the ill, specific treatments, hygienic training,
household safety instruction, and care for babies.

6. YWCA
From 1947 to 1953 when Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
discontinued their provided nursing services to policy holders, VNAP
began providing nursing services to these individuals. Miss Leona
Smith also served as an early nurse for VNAP. She had a desk where
she accepted calls at the YWCA. Although she also did not have a car,
The Junior League graciously purchased one for her.

7. Construction of the current VNAP office
Since money was always tight, VNAP engaged in fundraising efforts to
continue its mission. One such effort was throughout the 1960’s when Board
Members sold watermelons door to door. In the early 70’s, VNAP purchased
a house on High Street, close to the same location where they reside today.

8. During this decade, services became increasingly more technical. In
1998, VNAP became part of Home Health Care Management’s (HHCM)
family of companies, along with sister companies BVNA and AHC.
While maintaining its own identity in the Pottstown Community, the
new relationship enabled VNAP to share administrative expenses and
technical expertise with similar organizations.

9. Yes, we are way more than just one nurse. We do way more than
walking door to door. We have the medical capability to handle much
more than we could before. But we are still making the lives of the
people in our communities healthier and happier…at home.

10. Our family caring for your family ®
• 501 (3) Non-Profit • United Way Agency • Reader’s Choice Winner
610-327-5700 vnapottstown.org