[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING DANBURY VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION (VNA)

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2011

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Danbury Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), which is commemorating its 
100th anniversary this year. Founded originally as the Visiting Nurse 
Association of Danbury in 1911, the Danbury VNA continues to provide a 
valuable service for thousands of people in Western Connecticut.
  As the Greater Danbury's oldest home care agency, the Danbury VNA 
serves patients from a number of towns in my district outside of 
Danbury including, Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, 
Southbury, Woodbury and Ridgefield.
  Dr. Sophia Penfield, the first licensed female physician in the State 
of Connecticut, along with members of the Civic Club of Danbury, 
established the Agency to provide care for the sick and needy, to 
instruct families in the care of the sick in their homes, and to teach 
the principles of simple sanitation and hygiene.
  Founding member and first president, Mrs. John Downs served as 
President for an astonishing 47 years. Following her death in 1957, a 
recognized Board of Directors adopted the present constitution and by-
laws and the agency became the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. 
With the advent of Medicare, Danbury VNA became a Medicare certified 
home health agency in 1966. In 1993, the Agency joined the Danbury 
Health Systems as the home care affiliate and is now an affiliate of 
the recently formed Western Connecticut Healthcare, which includes New 
Milford Hospital.
  The Danbury VNA has been a longtime advocate of preventative care for 
children. The agency established well child clinics nearly 75 years ago 
to provide physicals and inoculations. Nearly 15 years ago, the Danbury 
VNA recognized the challenges that many people have in getting to their 
physician's office by establishing the Wellness on Wheels program. This 
unique mobile health program for families with limited access to 
medical care brings a doctor, registered nurse, a social worker and 
others out to the community to provide critical health care services to 
underserved Connecticut residents free of charge. Services include 
physicals, screenings and immunizations for school and work.
  While much has changed in light of advances in nursing practices and 
technology, the vision of the Civic Club and Dr. Penfield have not. The 
core of the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association is reflected in its 
mission and philosophy to serve the community, treating patients with 
dignity and respect and providing home care and community health 
services to all in need.
  I want to thank the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association for all that 
they do and I am pleased to congratulate them on their 100th 
anniversary.

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