Legacy of Caring Fund
In 1974, Indian River County resident Marion Oechsner saw a need in the community for a home healthcare agency committed to delivering quality care in patients’ homes and organized a group of dedicated volunteers to form a Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). That group of volunteers, now known as VNA’s founders, included Celeta Arden, Helen Brackins, George Kuhn, Pat Moore, Barbara Morrison, Marion Oechsner, Ted Chenault, William Terry and VNA’s champion, Ann Marie McCrystal. They chose to make the home care agency a VNA because of the non-profit status conferred by this designation, and most importantly because they wanted to set the standard that the organization would serve all those in the community regardless of their financial standing. In 1975, with just one nurse director and one home health aide, the VNA of the Treasure Coast began to see patients in their homes.
In 2000, the VNA constructed and opened the VNA Hospice House. This 12-bed state-of-the-art facility allows Indian River County Residents who require around-the-clock care, live alone or have an elderly caregiver to receive hospice services in a beautiful, peaceful, home-like setting.
Since its inception in 1975, the VNA has grown and now offers private duty care and provides our community with affordable healthcare options on the VNA Mobile Health Clinic treating illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, flu, strep, eye and ear infections, minor skin infections and rashes, and more. The VNA provides over 88,500 home health visits, over 136,400 private duty hours, more than 67,200 days of hospice care to our community and see over 5,200 patients aboard the VNA Mobile Health Clinic.
We hope you’ll join us in honoring the incredible legacy of Ann Marie by donating to the Ann Marie McCrystal Legacy of Caring Fund in support of VNA’s many services and programs for the patients and families we serve.
