Organization built on fundraising expands development department as need for care increases

OMAHA, Nebr., April 21, 2009 – As a community-driven organization, the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) relies on community donations to achieve its mission: to foster the dignity and well-being of the residents of our communities by delivering the highest quality home and community-based healthcare services that provide peace of mind, quality of life and independence. As our communities grow, so does the need for the VNA.

The VNA provides services ranging from community/public health nursing to home care and hospice, wherever the patient calls home, regardless of their complexity of care or ability to pay. The charity care that VNA provides to the residents of our communities comprises approximately 25 percent of the VNA’s overall budget. That percentage is expected to grow as the gap between Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement narrows and the number of individuals with limited or no financial resources expands. Additionally, the VNA has seen patients discharged from the hospital earlier, which places them in the VNA’s care longer, with needs greater than ever before.

In order to best serve the growing need for charity care and to help “bridge the gap” for patients with limited ability to pay for such services, the VNA has expanded and restructured its development team to grow its charitable donations to include:

• James C. Summerfelt, President and CEO
• Betty Cernech, Vice President of Community Health Services and Development
• Mary Lou Brasee, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
• Michael Elias, Stewardship Director
•   Brandi Holys-Tumbleson, Community Relations/Grant Coordinator
• Rilla Eaton, Development Associate
• Fund Development Committee of the Board of Directors - Gail Graeve, Board Fund Development Committee Chair

Elias, Holys-Tumbleson and Eaton are all new to the VNA staff. Elias most recently was the Director of Planned Giving at Alegent Health; prior to that, he worked in the development department at the Omaha Home for Boys. Holys-Tumbleson recently worked as Assistant Director, Grants Administration at Creighton University; prior to that she was the State Director of Programs and Public Affairs for the March of Dimes. Previously, Eaton was the Donor Information Coordinator for Alegent Health.

VNA donors understand what a vital role home healthcare, hospice and community/public health play in today’s healthcare system. The new department hopes to expand its donor base as the need for charity patient care becomes more critical. The development department plans on growing its individual donations, planned gifts, grants, corporate gifts and special events program donations.

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