VISITING NURSING ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN history

On September 1, 1949 Marie G. Gemeroy was appointed Director of Somerset Valley VNA. She was a graduate of Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing and earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

In 1951, our office moved to 204 West Cliff Street, Somerville.

Marie Gemeroy resigned in 1955 and Mildred LaDue succeeded her as Director.

The Federal Medicare program was created in 1965 and SVVNA received Medicare certification.

The passage of the Act and the organization of the National Home Care Association in 1982 allow the VNA to expand and branch out without restriction.

In 1985, Marilyn Zuchowski became the new Director, bringing an extensive background in home health care and nursing management.

Fees were charged based on actual cost to the association; however, service was never denied because of a patient’s inability to pay. It was certified by Medicare in May, 1990, and began providing care and support to terminally ill patients and their families.

Also in 1993, SVVNA achieved accreditation from CHAP, The Community Health Accreditation Program.

To demonstrate the high quality of care and services provided, SVVNA earned Accreditation With Commendation from the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) in 1997.

The Somerset County Office on Aging awarded its Chronic Disease Care Management Program grant to Community Home Care in 2004.