The Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT, Inc.
Celebrating 90 Years of Dedication and Service to the Community

The Cornelia Circle of the Rockville Woman's Club chose as its annual theme "Woman's Work in Modern Times" which led to a study of family and welfare problems in the community. Later that year a meeting was held in the Rockville Superior Court, the purpose being to establish a visiting nurse association.

Following the meeting in 1913, it was voted to establish the Rockville Public Health Association. Soon after, Jenny Smith, RN, began visiting families in Rockville and made 2,949 home visits covering fifty (50) miles a week that first year.

Following World War I, the demand for visiting nurse services increased. Infectious diseases declined to be replaced by chronic degenerative diseases. Nurses were busy during the 1940-1950's providing services such as mass x-ray programs for tuberculosis; demonstrating the need for a full-time dental program in the local schools and initiating a study of the health needs of high school students which resulted in the employment of a full-time nurse. Polio became an epidemic in the 1950's and RPHNA nurses held clinics in schools to inoculate youngsters against the disease. Later they led the way in the creation of a public housing authority to study the housing needs for older people.

Ninety years ago one nurse provided the essential health care needs of the indigent and newborn population. Today, more than 100 nurses provide services ranging from In-home Mental Health, Wound and Ostomy care, IV/high tech home care, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes management, Hospice and Palliative care services. They are using laptop computers in clients' homes to document essential information which is immediately transmitted to the office and is available to other members of the caregiving team.

In 1986 Rockville Public Health Nursing Association merged with River East Home Care Association to form Visiting Nurse & Community Care. In 1987 North Central Hospice merged with Visiting Nurse & Community Care, and in 1989 South Windsor Visiting Community Health Association became part of the Agency. The Agency known today as Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut came into being in 1998 when Visiting Nurse & Community Care merged with Visiting Nurse & Home Care of Manchester. The new organization is in partnership with Eastern Connecticut Health Network and the Community Health Association.