HISTORY OF THE GOOD CHEER SOCIETY The Roots of Home Health & Hospice Care

HISTORY OF THE GOOD CHEER SOCIETY: The Roots of Home Health & Hospice Care In the latter part of the 19th century, the growth of social sciousness stimulated the interest of well-to-do and civic minded citizens in the health and welfare of the poor Groups were organized in various cities throughout the country, often under religious denominational auspices, for the purpose of engaging in charitable works The earliest of these organized activities were carried out by the so-called "fruit and flower" missions Groups of prominent young society women visited the sick poor in their homes, bringing them, at first, fruit and flowers, but later, essential food staples Many of these early philanthropic organizations were the forerunners of the present day visiting nurse organizations which are active in hundreds of cities throughout the United States It was the deplorable conditions of neglect and squalor encountered by these early fruit and flower mission visitors, that pointed out the need for trained assistance to provide home care to the sick, and to teach the essentials of hygienic living So, the fruit and flower missions soon began to employ nurses who would visit homes for the purposes of rendering care and teaching health promotion and disease prevention Today, the majority of the existing visiting nurse agencies continue to be sponsored by voluntary groups In the city of Nashua the story was much the same as in other cities The one exception was that Nashua was among the first of the smaller cities to develop the idea It all began in the fall of 1883 when four friends, May Wallace, Elizabeth Spaulding, Elizabeth Flather, and Linna Belle Flagg gathered for their weekly painting lessons at Miss Flagg's art studio They expressed a common concern for the poor and the sick members of the community, and conceived the idea of a fruit and flower mission in Nashua The following week these four young Unitarian women gathered together seven other women of the same denomination, and this group formed the nucleus of an organization which they called the Good Cheer Society The name was suggested by Mr George H Pierce Elizabeth Spalding was the first president of the Society Membership was limited to twentyfive unmarried women at least twenty-one years old The stated purpose was "to give help and cheer to the sick and poor in any form except money" This was accomplished at first by visiting the sick and needy and bringing them flowers, jellies, and other delicacies Later, the members distributed food, clothing, and fuel In 1893 the Society furnished two parlors at the Emergency Hospital which later became Nashua Memorial Hospital In 1897 it received its first legacy of $100.00 from the estate of a Mrs Vose At the turn of the century the visiting nurse idea was gaining impetus Between 1890 and 1905 the number of visiting nurse associations increased markedly throughout the country Among the earliest of the important cities to establish these organizations were: Chicago 1890, Kansas City 1891, Buffalo and Denver 1892, and St Louis 1895 The Good Cheer Society appointed their first nurse in 1902 to provide home care to the sick on a visiting basis The Society was thus among the pioneers in the early establishment of visiting nursing What was the status of Nashua at this time which stimulated the need for a visiting nurse service? Because Nashua was located at the confluence of the Merrimack and Nashua Rivers, it was an ideal site for the development of industries which could utilize the available water for power Consequently, mills were established and textiles became the leading industry Immigrants, in increasingly large numbers began to populate the city to work in the mills In 1880 the city had a population of 13,397 which swelled to 23,898 by 1900 Major consequences attending industrialization and the accompanying population growth were overcrowding, poor housing, unemployment, and poverty; all of which are factors contributing to ill health and disease It may be assumed that it was these conditions which motivated the Good Cheer Society to expand its services to provide home care of the sick In 1969 the staff consisted of eight nurses and a social worker Most of the nurses had had some special preparation in the field of public health nursing, and three had degrees Financial support came from the interest from investments, endowments and bequests, patient fees (either directly from the patient or through insurance benefits; private, Medicare or Medicaid), and United Fund allocations HISTORY OF VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF NASHUA, INC At the October, 1973 meeting of the Good Cheer Society, Inc it was voted that "to meet the growing health needs of the community (it was felt that) the community would be better served by the formation of a Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua" The new Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua was to be administered by a Board of Directors made up of business and professional men and women and interested citizens of the community The Good Cheer Society, Inc was to become an auxiliary to the Association with members of the Nursing (Agency) Committee The Good Cheer Society, Inc agreed to give the use of the Good Cheer House at Kinsley Street and its furnishings to the new Association and to continue its financial support Several organizational meetings were then held and incorporation of the new Association was completed on December 27, 1973 The following were present at the meeting on that date: Florence E Caron, Chester Lopez, Paul Marsolais, Patricia A Sullivan, Conrad E Thibault and Charlotte Drury, Nancy Wilbur, Lorna Winey representing the Good Cheer Society, Inc At the second meeting of the incorporation, January 30, 1974, the following officers were elected: President: Vice President: Secretary Treasurer: Conrad E Thibault David Hogan Patricia A Sullivan Paul Marsolais Following this meeting the Good Cheer Society, Inc sent a letter to various people in the community explaining the change in organization and inviting them to membership of the new Association As of July 1, 1974 there were 85 members The original Board consisted of Conrad Thibault, David Hogan, Patricia Sullivan, Paul Marsolais, Chester Lopez, Florence Caron, Ernest McCoy, Charlotte Drury, Nancy Wilbur, Lorna Winey, Dolores Raby, Janet Shepard, Lorana Tally, Dr Herman Guiterman, Dr Robert O'Neil, Dr Eric Romanowsky, Ann Tuttle, A A Haettenschwiller, T Harrison Whalen and Col William Clegg Services were available to anyone in the Nashua-Hudson area, and ability to pay is not a qualification for receiving services Nursing visits average about 400 a month IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF THE GOOD CHEER SOCIETY 1883 - Society founded with eleven active members wishing to something for the community They banded together to give help and cheer to the sick and needy 1893 - Society furnished two parlors at the Emergency Hospital, now Nashua Memorial Hospital 1897 - First legacy of $100.00 received from the estate of a Mrs Vose 1902 - District nurse engaged 1912 - Society incorporated as a charitable organization 1916 - Need for baby welfare work realized and nurse appointed to organize the Baby Welfare Station The Nashua Manufacturing Company donated the use of rooms for this purpose at Chestnut Street The space was used for this purpose and for an office for the next twenty years Hudson included in the territory to be covered by the nursing service 1918 - Contract signed with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company to receive fees for nursing services to their policy holders Staff nurse salary $797.60 Baby welfare nurse salary $800.00 Assistant Baby Welfare nurse (part-time) $343.00 1923 - Two public health nurses and one Baby Welfare nurse employed 1926 - First caramels made as a fund raising endeavor Recipe given by the "Paint and Powerder Club" of Lowell with the stipulation that the ingredients and proportions be kept secret These delicious caramels have since been associated with the Society and "Good Cheer Caramels" have become a favorite, not only in Nashua, but throughout the area Contract signed with the John Hancock Life Insurance Company to receive fees for services to policy holders 1933 - Visit charge was raised to $0.75 1934 - Nurse appointed to the staff by the Relief Administration of Concord to care for families receiving aid The position was canceled four months later Six nurses on staff Mrs Sylvia Ganer, Supervisor 1935 - Supervisor appointed to the Nursing Committee of the Society Nutrition Clinic conducted in conjunction with the Red Cross 1936 - Society purchased employment office of the Nashua Manufacturing Company on Walnut Street for $3,400.00 Offices and Baby Welfare Station moved there and location became 86 Factory Street 1941 - To raise funds the "Nashaway Trading Post" was opened This was a profit sharing enterprise in which donors of merchandise received 50 percent of the profit and the Society 50 percent Staff of five nurses Mrs Sylvia Ganer resigned and Miss M Grace Ross, appointed Supervisor Good Cheer Society joined the Nashua Federation of Social Agencies 1944 - Miss M Grace Ross resigned and Miss Ellen Record appointed Acting Supervisor 1945 - Mrs Louise Massie Levesque appointed Supervisor 1948 - Mrs L M Levesque resigned and Miss Ellen Record named Acting Supervisor 1950 - Mrs Beatrice F Allen appointed Supervisor 1951 - John Hancock and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company benefits dis- continued 1952 - Mrs B F Allen resigned and Miss Ellen Record appointed Acting Supervisor 1958 - 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Good Cheer Society 1965 - Staff composed of four full-time and two part-time nurses 1966 - Visiting Nurse Service certified for participation in the Medicare program Occupational therapy offered as a second service Visit fee $4.50 1967 - Miss Ellen Record, Acting Supervisor, retired after 29 years of service with the Agency Replaced by Miss Shirley A Egan 1968 - Visit fee raised to $5.50 Position of Hospital Coordinator created Monthly Well Child Clinics begun in cooperation with the Nashua Board of Health 1969 - Occupational therapy discontinued as a second service and replaced with social service Program begun with University of New Hampshire, Department of Nursing, to provide field practice for nursing students A Professional Advisory Committee was established Occupational therapy discontinued as a second service and replaced with social service Program begun with University, Department of Nursing to provide field practice for nursing students continued until April 1971 1970 - Miss Shirley Egan retired to accept a similar position in Lowell Miss Lydia Beane took her place as director A second part-time social worker was added to the staff to assist the coordinator at St Joseph's Hospital A second, part-time, clerical worker was added as more bookkeeping duties were assumed by the full-time clerical worker The Pediatric Orthopedic clinics began in cooperation with the New Hampshire Heart Program of the Division of Public Health A nurse started to provide service to the Nashua Child Care Center which continued until August 1973 The Visiting Nurse service assisted in the planning of the Greater Nashua Family Planning Program and offered the part-time services of one of the social workers This continued until June 1972 when she became employed by them August 1970 - moved to Good Cheer House on Kinsley Street 1971 - The year started with five full-time and one part-time registered nurse and two part-time social workers At the end of the year there were three full-time and two part-time registered nurses, one full-time licensed practical nurse and two part-time social workers A physical therapist was also available part -time by contract Prenatal classes for "Parents to be" were started with the sponsorship of the Visiting Nurse Service and four other local agencies 1972 - The Physical Therapy Program was certified by Medicare and became the third service of the agency The Homemaker/Home Health Aide Service supervisor/coordinator and four part-time aides began with a part-time Students from the Sacred Heart Hospital in Manchester established an affiliation with the agency 1973 - Eight aides were trained by the New Hampshire Association of Home Care Services and that program was certified by Medicare to make a fourth service of the agency acceptable to that program Due to the increase in office detail, one full time bookkeeper was replaced by a full-time business officer manager and the part-time clerk typist was replaced by a full time clerk 1974 - The Homemaker/Home Health Aide Supervisor/Coordinator started full-time work The Good Cheer Society was instrumental in establishing the Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua separating the agency business from the Good Cheer Society At this time the average number of visits per month were: Nursing Homemaker/Home Health Aides Social Service Physical Therapy 655 73 35 18 HISTORY OF THE VNA 1975 - Agency director, Lydia Beane, announces retirement Occupational therapy became available through VNA contract with Easter Seals Homemaker program started and discontinued 1976 - Ann Agran assumes the Executive Director position Financial concerns prompted an evaluation of agency goals and delivery of services The social work staff and case work services were discontinued and were replaced by a referral service as well as a MSW consultant Hospital coordinator was discontinued 1977 - Terminal care program - HOSPICE has expanded with additional support services and staff training The Nashua Public Health Department assumes responsibility of high risk families thus decreasing VNA efforts in this area Homemaker Program reinstituted 1978 - Title XX The Homemaker Program has proven to be successful in providing service to the elderly and disabled Five homemakers have been recruited to the program VNA applies to federal government for inclusion in Hospice Demonstration project A full-time enterostomal therapist was added to the VNA staff The ET spends 2/3 of her time working with patients at Memorial and St Joseph's hospitals and the remainder with the VNA The State Council on Aging provides funding for pilot project Senior Health Outreach and Treatment Program (SHOT) to reach the elderly who are not receiving health care 1979 - The VNA increased its nursing supervisory staff to two with the recruitment of Esther Northrup The installation of two exterior ramps provided wheelchair accessibility to the agency's building The method of providing clinic services to the elderly under the SHOT program was re-evaluated to better meet the Council on Aging guideline of finding elderly who are not within the health care delivery system The terminal care program was augmented by volunteers providing a wide range of services from nursing, counseling, to homemaker and family support A HOSPICE care brochure was designed and distributed in the community 1980 - The VNA expanded to include the entire third floor of the Good Cheer House 1981 - VNA contracts with Nashua Memorial Hospital to provide IV therapy 1982 - New VNA brochure was designed and printed Homemaker staff was increased to part-time positions Case consultations initiated between DOW, ADC, NHA and Homemaker/ Home Health Aide Program Coordinator to discuss mutual clients Executive Director, Ann Agran, left, and was replaced by Barbara Salvatore Nursing services were expanded to include 24 hour coverage Services expanded to include Tyngsborough, MA 1983 - Physical Therapy Assistant position created VNA helped found Community Hospice of Greater Nashua Reinitiated the provision of Medical Social Services Initiated "Contracted Services Program", provided personnel to local social service agencies Five agencies serviced in first year for physical therapy and nursing consultation Updated agency mission and goals Expanded Hudson Immunization Clinic to include school age children Initiated Residential Health Screening and Education Program at Gatewood Manor Initiated inventory system for supplies Explored feasibility of Adult Medical Day Care Services with the Nashua Housing Authority 1984 - Accepted as provider in Blue Cross/Blue Shield Hospice Pilot program Initiated Companion Care Program, to provide respite on a fee-for-service basis Twelve companions hired to start Formalized its linkages with the Manchester, Merrimack and Derry VNAs through the organization of the Visiting Nurse Association Consortium Initiated contracted Aide Services at the Adult Day Care Program of the Nashua Housing Authority Contracted services to other human service agencies were expanded; and on-call coverage/backup Agency revenues over $500,000 1985 - VNA now employs 47 staff Initiated staff policy for Hepatitis B Titus & Vaccine Adopt Organization Goals to fulfill Agency Mission Residential Health Programs expanded to Buttercup Hill Project in Hudson Initiated "The Visitor", a newsletter for patients and the community Helped produce "Your Health" a monthly magazine for Waiting Room distribution, through the Visiting Nurse Consortium 1986 - Provided over 20,000 home care visits Agency Revenue over 3/4 million; over 60 employees Initiates joint venture with Souhegan Nursing Association for the provision of Medicare certified Homecare services in Milford, Amherst and Mont Vernon VNA Nanny Program started to provide In-Home Child Care on a fee-for-service basis Staff training provided by St Joseph's School of Nursing Companion Care Respite Services now available on a sliding fee scale for emergency cases Worked with Community Health Department to jointly market children services to Boston Hospitals Developed local resources for IV Products and supplies through Nashua Memorial Hospital and area pharmacies Initiated IV Therapy, Respiratory Therapy and Extrastomal Therapy contracts with St Joseph's Hospital Board establishes Replacement and Renewal account to fund future equipment acquisition Board adopts Long Range Plan 1987 - In-Home Day Care Companion Program initiated through contract with New Hampshire Division of Elderly and Adult Services Joint program for a Hospice Nurse initiated with Community Hospice Agency Revenue over $1,100,000; 90 employees providing nearly 30,000 visits VNA develops Private Duty business and insurance revenues increase 480 percent Residential Health Programs expanded to Sullivan Terrace Good Cheer Society sells property at 22 Prospect Street to VNA VNA enters into Consolidation/Reorganization talks with Merrimack Valley VNA and Community Hospice of Greater Nashua Board establishes Staff Training account Employee Handbook published; credit union services started VNA develops expertise in Alzheimer services Agency assists in creation of National Long-Term Care Video, featuring local patient 1988 - VNA accepts State grant to provide respite services to Alzheimers patients Initiates training programs for community providers dealing with Alzheimers Vagge Village and Arel Manor added to Residential Health program sites VNA nurse, Ann Pierce, and patient featured in US News and World Report article on "Choosing a Home Health Agency" Discharge Planning consultation is initiated with Nashua Memorial Hospital, and St Joseph Hospital VNA accepts State's request to expand its contract for In-Home Care services to communities served by the Salem District office As part of a community-wide initiative, the VNA develops the Healthy Homebound Project, a volunteer program bringing health education videos to seniors confined to their home VNA plays active role on the Presidential Forums Long-Term Care, a part of the New Hampshire Presidential Primary process Board of Directors votes to adopt the Articles of Merger which result in the January 1, 1989 consolidation of the VNA with Community Hospice of Greater Nashua and Merrimack Valley Home Health/VNA The resulting organization is named Home Health and Hospice Care 1989 - Joan Stygles Hull was appointed President/CEO of the newly merged organization Progress towards Hospice certification continues Medical Director and MSW hired Study completed, indicating need for Well Child Clinics in Hudson; Good Cheer Society grants $4,000 for start-up money Private Duty Program expands to include RN's, LPN's and HHA's Adult In-home Day Care Program expands to include area served by Salem district office Part-time Quality Assurance position approved Central intake Program initiated VFW gives agency its outstanding Achievement Award Agency received United Way Gold Award and Award of Special Merit for increasing donations by 30% Special grant received to assist in Long Range Planning 1990 - Hospice becomes Medicare certified IV Team initiated Hudson Well Child Program begun Childrens' Dental Clinic dropped by State and continued through HHHC Hospital Liaison Program begun at St Joseph's Hospital Peggy Billings retires after 20 years with the agency Initial plan to renovate and build addition to 22 Prospect Street site approved by the Board of Directors Home visits grew by 36% Bereavement Counselor position approved VFW gives agency outstanding Achievement Award First annual "Theatre Night" with the American Stage Festival held as fund raiser Staff grows to 130 Underserved population study illustrates need for Hispanic services Joan Hull elected Vice President of Home Care Association of New Hampshire Board of Directors Peg Gilmour elected to Board of Directors of National Hospice Organization Gail Spera elected President of New Hampshire Organization of Home Health Services Board of Directors 1991 - Visits increased by 40% No person was denied service due to lack of funds Costs for all services decreased as of 9/30/91 from 12/90 levels Net revenue over expenses Liaison Program with Nashua Memorial Hospital began 12/91 Dunfey Award received 6/91 New Services Instituted Expanded IV capabilities Homeless Shelter/Soup Kitchen Clinic Nutrition Services Home Care Social Services Revitalized Hudson Well Child Clinic Expanded Maternal/Child Services Hospice Services to Nursing Homes Baby Furniture Loan Program First Physical Therapy Assistant hired Agency-wide Expansion of Volunteer Program New file and record system implementation begun Production of Agency Slide Show Development of New Look Agency Brochures Preferred Provider Contract established with VNA of America Formal QA Outcome Studies begun §125 Benefits Program begun First two Peg Billings Scholarships awarded to Claire Millette and Jean Meisner HHHC became clinical site for Home Health Aide training at St Joseph Hospital First "intrathecal" case admitted Peg Gilmour continues as Director on NHO Board, Gail Spera as President of NHOHHS, and Joan Hull as Vice President of NHHCA Capital Campaign feasibility study began Closer toward 22 Prospect Street addition Architect and Construction Manager contracted Financing nearly complete Site plan approved by City 1992 - Ground-breaking for 22 Prospect Street expansion and renovation - 3/11/92 Tolles Street Screening Clinic begun Delta Software billing system installed Wage and Salary study completed with Bill Taylor, Consultant Capital Campaign feasibility study completed by Alan Popp WIC Clinic reinstituted at Merrimack site Administrative & Clinical Policies rewritten Baby loan closet instituted Peg Gilmour continues as Director of NHO Board of Directors Gail Spera continues as President of NHOHHS Joan Hull elected President of HCANH Separate parallel Hospice & Home Care clinical teams begin out of Merrimack Maternal/Child Health joint project with Nashua Memorial Hospital begins development Neighbor to Neighbor Clinic comes under HHHC administration Nursing Home Hospice Program gets a designated RN and contract at Greenbriar End of Souhegan Nursing Association contract with HHHC to deliver certified services in Amherst, Milford, and Mont Vernon Medicare Hospice services begins direct service in Amherst, Milford, and Mont Vernon Board of Directors/Management retreat held 6/2/92 at Mary Kaplan's home Continued IV venture exploration with St Joseph Hospital Maternal/Child Health program becomes a department Dropped manual billing system Hired QA coordinator Hep B vaccinations instituted for all direct care staff at risk Early Intervention Program (EIP) internship completed with NMH & Area Agency Rehabilitative Pediatric Case Management Programs begun First annual HHHC Golf Tournament held Tree of Life set up at Pheasant Lane Mall Hudson WCC moves to Alvirne High School due to growth Agency department brochures completed Building completed on time - 10% under budget Open House held 11/2/92 - Mayor Wagner cuts ribbon 250 attend open house HHA registration by State of New Hampshire begins Good Cheer Society moves to 22 Prospect St Caramels cooked on site Heidi Vezeau receives Peggy Billing's annual scholarship Board of Directors vote to remove references to geographical area and duplication of services from Mission Statement 1993 - Primary Care Study begun IV Clinical Coordinator position instituted Revised Agency Mission/Belief Statement approved by Board of Directors We were host to N E Hospice Physician's luncheon Charting system revamped with the assistance of charting consultant, Joan Usher Claire Millette awarded Peggy Billing's annual scholarship National Health Care Reform movement begins Health Care Reform Task Force created The first non-fee-for-services managed care contracted was signed for Hospice services with Matthew Thornton Health Plan Personnel handbook developed Meghan Brady hired as Director of Supportive Care Decision was made to hold a Roberta Flack Concert Planning begins Hospice House feasibility study completed Neighbor to Neighbor Clinic opens Tree of Life Ceremony held at St Joseph Hospital Agency holds Legislator breakfast on Health Care Reform Electronic Billing to Medicare initiated Early Infant Discharge Program with Memorial Hospital Ethics Committee developed as subcommittee of Professional Advisory Committee Psych RN hired Annual Golf Tournament nets $11,300 Fiscal year is changed from 1/1-12/31 to 7/1-6/30 Visits increased 6% to 49,670 1/1/93 to 6/30/93 1994 - "5 & 10" Year Anniversary Celebration begins: five year anniversary of merger, ten for Hospice services Dr Balfour Mount presented "Body, Mind and Spirit: Rhetoric or Reality" as part of "5 & 10" celebration "In Sickness and in Health: Love, Marriage and Alzheimer's Disease" exhibit held at Nashua Center for the Arts Roberta Flack Concert nets approximately $13,000 First "Employee Recognition Reception" held for employees with either 5, 10 or 15 years of service Interfaith Service held at First Church as part of "5 & 10" celebration Board of Directors begin deliberations re: possible affiliation with local hospital and health systems Hospital representatives to the Board of Directors are asked to resign due to conflict of interest Three Strategic Planning sessions facilitated by Linda Kilburn Hospice House plans put on hold Human Resource Manager hired Employee Benefit Package restructured Annual Peggy Billings Scholarship awarded to Ann Desrosier Annual Golf Tournament nets $22,700 Visits increased 14% to 112,000 in FY94 Second Psych RN hired Joan Stygles Hull resigns as President effective August 12, 1994 Margaret Gilmour named Interim President President/CEO effective November 2, 1994 and officially designated Tree of Life Ceremony held at Southern NH Regional Medical Center Dr Bettina Peyton replaced Dr Meg Gerken as Medical Director 1995 - New employee benefits package includes Dental Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance and $10,000 Life Insurance MIS Task Force instituted New Task Force to study Cost of Service by Diagnosis Planning begun for Endowment Fund Maryann Ogonowski hired as Director of Hospice New Marketing Plan developed Primary Care Study with Community Health, Gateway and HHHC begun to assess community needs for the underserved Merrimack site renovated to accommodate additional staff First Teddy Bear Picnic held The Courville held a wine tasting dinner to benefit HHHC Memorial Garden completed Sheila Martland relocates to Cape Cod Anne Benson is named new Director of Home Care Meghan Brady resigns to become director of Meals on Wheels Terrie McAdam is hired to replace her as Director of Supportive Care PR and Education Committees merged to become the Community Information Committee Dr Ira Byock was guest speaker at Annual Meeting Benefits were restructured for Homemakers Deb Sutters named new IV Coordinator Agency now has IV RN's 800 number set up for out-of-town people Computer system upgraded with purchase of RISC system JCAHO accreditation received United Way audits agency Visits increased 18% to 132,000 in FY95 1996 - Millipore Foundation granted $5,000 to purchase an Omega 1445 Dual Parameter Monitor to measure and monitor oxygen levels in high-risk children Exchange Club of Nashua funded the purchase of a new Fetal Doppler to assist in caring for high-risk pregnant mothers Maryellen Dooley hired in new Quality Manager position Gail Spera named as new Director of Hospice to replace Maryann Ogonowski, who resigned Good Cheer Society donated $10,000 as a kick-off to the Endowment Fund Planned Giving Committee established Planned Giving Seminar, with dinner and wine, held at Courville in Nashua Golf Tournament at Sky Meadow netted approximately $55,000 Terrie McAdam resigns as Director of Supportive Care shared by Anne Benson and Gail Spera Responsibilities are Affiliation between HHHC, Southern NH Regional Medical Center and Lahey Hitchcock Clinic became effective 8/1/96 After-hours calls go to LHC Nurse First system Second annual Teddy Bear Picnic was a huge success The Board voted to revisit feasibility for a Hospice House 1997 - Mary Vallier-Kaplan became project leader to handle a Hospice House Feasibility Study Woonsocket system was purchased to provide better outcome measurement Joint Operating Agreement was pursued by HHHC, Lahey Clinic and Hitchcock Clinic Gateway Family Health and Neighbor to Neighbor Clinic integrated to become “The Neighborhood Health Center for Greater Nashua” Peg Gilmour was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Hospice Association of America Medicare survey on March 10 went very well Geriatric Nurse Practitioner was hired as part of Senior Care Collaborative between HHHC and LHC Bereavement Camp, Sally’s Dream, became a reality Dr Bettina Peyton was one of the guest speakers at a conference for caregivers, “How We Heal: The Interaction Between Mind, Body & Spirit” New Strategic Plan was developed by Board and Senior Management, led by Bob Agoglia, from Fazzi Associates Chris Walton presented his Feasibility Study for a Capital Campaign for the proposed hospice house to the Board of Directors Peg Gilmour was chosen to become an associate for Leadership New Hampshire HHHC joined other state agencies to form a new alliance, VNA Health Systems of Northern New England HHHC dis-integrated with Lahey Hitchcock Clinic and again became a separate legal entity, effective 7/21/97 Operational Plan was developed from the new Strategic Plan by Bob Agoglia Kathleen Regan resigned as Marketing Director to join Oxford Health Three-year operating capital budget was established, to be reexamined annually $20,000 bequest was added to the Endowment Fund HHHC joins nationwide Pain Management Study Balanced Budget Act of 1997 was signed, introducing an Interim Payment System that will affect Medicare payments for Home Care 1998 - Manchester office was opened on 2/9/98 Laurie Ota was hired to work with public relations and the media on marketing JCAHO survey was completed in April and the agency scored well There were a few problems identified and they will return to re-examine these in months Pilot program for Community Nurse Outreach Program was begun The Golf Tournament at Sky Meadow netted approximately $65,000 HHHC was again selected as one of the agencies to be reviewed by United Way Peg Gilmour graduated from Leadership New Hampshire Remainder of a trust in the amount of $14,000 was designated by the Board to the Endowment Fund Self-directed teams instituted Heather Orton was hired in new position as Care Manager The Teddy Bear Picnic raised approximately $6,000 First agency Fashion Show/brunch, put on by Junz Boutique of Main Street, was held at the Nashua Country Club The Agency was connected to the outside world by e-mail The Medical Center donated $1,000,000 to the Hospice House Campaign Tree of Life - The agency now has trees, to be placed at the Medical Center, shopping malls, nursing homes A Disease Management Program was developed Consultants, The Corridor Group, conducted an overall agency assessment Nancy Leppanen was recognized for 25 years of service at the Employee Recognition event Ruth DePonte and Bess Parks were presented 20 year awards Pennichuck Water has donated land on Continental Boulevard in Merrimack for the Hospice House Telephony system for HHA’s and Homemakers in testing phase Home record system was implemented 1999 - Mary Doorley was chosen as the Capital Campaign Consultant for the Hospice House New hospice stamp was unveiled by the Nashua Post Office at the Annual Meeting JCAHO returned for a planned focus review HHHC received high grades in all areas and was accredited for another years OASIS: The government mandated that information be collected for this program on all non-maternity patients over 18 years of age Five Boston University MBA Students worked on an agency project, reviewing the entire intake process, to assist in developing marketing material Rob Wagner was hired as Marketing Director Judy Hall was hired as Vice President of Marketing for the new Private Duty Program Corporate Compliance Committee was created to oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of a Corporate Compliance Plan Barbara Lafrance was appointed Corporate Compliance Officer Board of Directors voted to amend the Mission Statement Standards of Conduct were developed as part of the agency Corporate Compliance Program Agency’s web site was launched - www.hhhc.org Marcia Frankl was named Director of Human Resources Annual Golf Tournament, which included Rick Middleton and many other celebrities, was a big success, netting more than $61,000 Jane Allen, RN, MPH, was hired as Director of Clinical Services Teddy Bear Picnic went well Attendance was poor due to bad weather, but we netted $6400 because of sponsorship monies Nancy Szalanski replaced Marcia Frankl as HR Manager The agency participated with The Foundation for Healthier Communities on a proposal dedicated to end of life education, through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Jack Law agreed to serve as Campaign Chair for the Hospice House Capital Campaign A $300,000 challenge grant was issued by a friend of the agency If a total of $1,800,000 is raised by January 15, 2000, the donor will donate $300,000 to the capital campaign At the end of the year, the Hospice House Capital Campaign was at $1,904,000, putting the campaign ahead of schedule in meeting the challenge grant 2000 - Y2K and emergency planning brought the agency into compliance, with no problems Val Clark was hired as Director for Private Duty A Strategic Planning Report was issued by Kevin Stone, which included a Provider Relations/Marketing Plan developed by Rob Wagner Capital Campaign reached its minimum target of $2.5 million The Major Gifts phase of the campaign began, with volunteers seeking gifts ranging from $1000 to $5000 Lenny Dobens and Jim Chaloner agreed to co-chair this division A new mortgage agreement with Southern NH Medical Center was signed, with a maximum of 6%, projected at 3-4% interest Ken Matsis was hired as Director of Finance to replace Rae Lean Pavlovich, who had resigned IS Task Force is formed Golf Tournament was held on May 17th, with 232 golfers, 45 volunteers and committee members and celebrities Over 100 people attended the formal groundbreaking for the Hospice House on May 31st Dr David Gilmour traveled 3,687 miles, bicycling across the country to raise money for the Community Hospice House Teddy Bear FunFest, held on August 12th, was a very successful event Over 1,200 people attended to help raise $6500 Maryann Mercier was named Hospice House Manager Board voted to establish a separate account for a Hospice House Endowment Fund An Endowment Committee was established An agreement was approved and signed with Catholic Charities, for facility management of the Hospice House PPS transition begins Decision was made to change from JCAHO survey to CHAP Preparation for CHAP will begin in January 2001 Official Ribbon Cutting was held at the Hospice House on November 17 There were several open house invitations over a period of days First patient was admitted to the Hospice House on December th 2001 - Development Committee was re-established to oversee future fund-raising planning and to serve as a resource to the Endowment Committee Agency was accredited by CHAP for the next three years Golf Tournament had another successful year, netting approximately $70,000 Private Duty Division renamed “Excellence in Care” Over 2,100 people attended the Teddy Bear FunFest, raising over $8,000 Employee Assistant Program (EAP) was introduced to employees and their families Board voted to pursue developing a Charitable Foundation for the Hospice House Pediatric Department hosted “Keeping Children Healthy: Clinical Updates for the Treatment of Newborns to Adolescents”at the Highlander Inn, on October 10 th Agency has contracted as personal care provider to residents of The Meetinghouse at Riverfront in Manchester  ... allocations HISTORY OF VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF NASHUA, INC At the October, 1973 meeting of the Good Cheer Society, Inc it was voted that "to meet the growing health needs of the community... establishing the Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua separating the agency business from the Good Cheer Society At this time the average number of visits per month were: Nursing Homemaker /Home Health. .. result in the January 1, 1989 consolidation of the VNA with Community Hospice of Greater Nashua and Merrimack Valley Home Health/ VNA The resulting organization is named Home Health and Hospice Care