[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION HEALTH GROUP'S 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2012

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Visiting 
Nurse Association (VNA) Health Group as its employees gather to 
celebrate its 100th anniversary. VNA Health Group members continue to 
exemplify outstanding dedication to the promotion and restoration of 
the health status of community individuals. Their service is truly 
worthy of this body's recognition.
  The Visiting Nurse Association Health Group was established in 1912 
in Lincroft, New Jersey. Within its first decade, the organization 
completed a study of mentally handicapped children in public schools, 
launched child welfare programs and established a mobile health clinic 
to assist constituents throughout Monmouth County, New Jersey. The 
organization adopted the name Monmouth County Organization for Social 
Services (MCOSS) in 1918 and maintained their focus on improving 
healthcare needs for women and children. The agency acquired the 
Visiting Nurses Association in Middlesex County in 1988 and expanded 
their services to include the constituents of Middlesex County; later 
that year, the New Jersey hospice care program was certified by 
Medicaid and served more than 1,500 patients and their families.
  In December 1993, the organization adopted the name Visiting Nurse 
Association of Central New Jersey; the new name allowed for the 
establishment of a governing board and the ability to raise funds on 
behalf of the organization. VNA of Central New Jersey later joined with 
other organizations, including the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Services 
and Essex Valley Visiting Nurse Association, and partnered with Robert 
Wood Johnson University Hospital to continue expanding their service 
area. In 2011, VNA of Central New Jersey affiliates and partners 
unified under the title Visiting Nurse Association Health Group to 
better reflect the organization's growth. Today, the organization and 
its employees continue to personify compassionate, caring and patient-
centered services to constituents throughout New Jersey.
  VNA Health Group is New Jersey's largest non-profit community health 
provider of home health, hospice and community services. Today, the VNA 
remains a volunteer organization that assists over 100,000 individuals 
throughout New Jersey each year. VNA Health Group is accredited by the 
Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. and continues to provide 
outstanding in-home services including certified home health aide 
services, pediatric care, rehabilitative therapy, palliative care, 
tele-health monitoring, geriatric care management, companion homemaker 
services, and nutritional counseling. As a result of their outstanding 
efforts, VNA Health Group is the proud recipient of the New York Times 
Tribute to Nurses Award and the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care 
Association Award, among others.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in celebrating the Visiting 
Nurse Association Health Group's 100th Anniversary. The organization 
has provided exquisite services to constituents throughout Monmouth 
County and New Jersey.

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