A strong history in the Fox Valley

In 1908 the Neenah-Menasha Visiting Nurse Association was established to meet the health needs of families in their homes. Ida Heinke was hired as the first visiting nurse and visited over 100 patients in their homes during her first month. In 1917 the Neenah-Menasha VNA became formally affiliated with the National Organization for Public Health Nursing. 

During the 1920's and 1930's the VNA expanded its focus to include children.  Well Baby Clinics were organized and the first Child Health Center was established.  By the end of the 1930's the VNA's staff included four nurses.  In 1922, the VNA Auxiliary was founded to raise money for supplies.  This organization helped fund the VNA until it disbanded in 1977
In 1938, the VNA found a permanent home at 115 East Forest Avenue in Neenah.  The house provided needed space for the nurses to work. 

In the 1940's pre-natal classes for mothers and fathers were started and held at the East Forest home.  A fifth nurse joined the VNA in 1947 and the service area expanded to rural areas.  During the 1950's the VNA moved to the house on Wisconsin Ave., generously donated by the Kimberly family.  Theda Clark Hospital began a practical nursing school in 1953 and partnered with the VNA to train students in home nursing.  The 50th anniversary of the Neenah-Menasha Visiting Nurse Association was celebrated in 1958.  

The Emergency Society and King's Daughters Service Circle of Neenah began the Meals-on-Wheels program in 1967.  Valley VNA began coordination of this program in 1974.  During the 1980's Valley VNA expanded the in-home personal care and homemaker companion programs and increased their attention on senior care through the Medicare/Medicaid skilled care program including Hospice services and therapy programs – IV, speech, occupational, physical therapy.  An Adult Day Care program was offered off-site at Horace Mann school. 

The 1990's was a decade of changes.  In 1994 Valley VNA moved from Wisconsin Ave. to Bell Street.  The location provided a headquarters for VNA administration and all medical and non-medical care programs. In addition, it served as a new site for the adult day care center. In 1996, based upon community need Valley VNA broke ground on an assisted living community. The assisted living community opened in 1998 providing ninety-two homes for seniors. Adult day care services were discontinued the same year. All Medicare/Medicaid programs were assigned to ThedaCare At Home in 1999.

In 2000, Valley VNA strengthened its senior in-home personal care and homemaker companion programs with the acquisition of Supportive Homecare and HomeMaids.  100% occupancy in all areas of the assisted living community was achieved in 2003 and Medical Assistance waiver dollars for assisted living residents was obtained.  In 2005 the organization began doing business as Valley VNA Senior Services.  A successful capital campaign was launched to support a building expansion project to address the changing needs of the growing senior population in the Fox Valley.

In 2008 Valley VNA Senior Services celebrated its 100th anniversary of providing care in the Fox Valley. 


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