History

A small group of concerned people from our community joined together to steer our development in 1952. During that first year, two staff nurses provided 156 patients with 834 hours of care. Today, more than 200 staff members and volunteers annually provide about 1,500 patients with more than 129,000 hours of service. Governed over the years by community leaders, we have never wavered from the original Board commitment to "continue our best to serve the community."

Leaders

Bess MacCulloch, R.N. was the first executive director hired for the newly created Visiting Nurse Association of Port Huron and Marysville (VNA). From 1952 through 1975, Bess provided outstanding leadership for the agency. She led the organization through a period of rapid growth and development coupled with significant changes in the delivery of health care services in the home. In addition to qualifying the agency for status as a Medicare and Medicaid certified agency, Bess also contributed to the expansion of health care services in the home through the addition of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, medical social work and home health aide services. Bess retired in 1975 after providing 23 years of dedication and loyalty to the VNA and our community. In recognition of Bess's many contributions, the VNA Board of Directors in 1988 established the Bess MacCulloch Award for Outstanding Community Service. The award is given annually to an individual who, like Bess, demonstrates outstanding leadership in the area of home health care and community support. In 1989, the board dedicated the organization's annual report in memory of Bess. In his book, John Brown's People, Mr. Brown described Bess in these words, "Bess MacCulloch is a roller coaster in human emotion. She's humble, dynamic, warm, forceful and sincere." Bess MacCulloch November 2, 1902-December 26, 1989.

 

Elmore D. Shoudy, M.D. Seeking a more human way of working with patients and families coping with terminal illnesses, Dr. Elmore Shoudy set about creating a local hospice program in our community. Working with our community leaders, Dr. Shoudy envisioned a residential facility that could provide a haven away from hospital and nursing home settings, one that would provide a place for terminally ill people to spend the rest of their lives surrounded by family and friends. Dr. Shoudy's vision became a reality when, in April of 1982, Blue Water Hospice celebrated its grand opening at Marian Manor located in downtown Port Huron. With continued leadership provided by Dr. Shoudy, Blue Water Hospice moved away from an institutional environment toward care of hospice patients and their families in the comfort of their own homes. Today, Blue Water Hospice is a part of the Visiting Nurse Association and provides comprehensive end of life care to over 300 patients and families annually. In 1992, the Hospice Board of Directors established the Elmore D. Shoudy Award for Outstanding Hospice Service. This award is given annually to an individual who, like Dr. Shoudy, is dedicated to the celebration of life with terminally ill patients and their families. Dr. Shoudy retired from the Blue Water Hospice Board of Directors in 1995 but continues his love for Hospice by serving as a volunteer each year, together with other members of his family, in the annual Blue Water Hospice 5k-10k River Run fundraising event. Brenda Clark, a past hospice adminstrator, described Dr. Shoudy as "...a man who lived his convictions of helping terminally ill patients die with dignitiy, free of pain, and surrounded by family and loved ones."

 

Historical Highlights

DATE	EVENT
1952 - February	Visiting Nurse Association of Port Huron and Marysville (VNA) provides care to its first patient.
1952 - November	Bess MacCulloch is hired as the first executive director of the VNA.
1953 - January	VNA becomes a member agency of the Community Chest of the Port Huron-Marysville District/United Way of St. Clair County.
1958 - October	VNA expands service area to include all of St. Clair County and changes name to Visiting Nurse Association of St. Clair County.
1971 - March	VNA obtains Medicare and Medicaid Certification.
1982 - April	Blue Water Hospice provides care to its first patient.
1985 - April	VNA restructures to form a parent, Medicare & Medicaid skilled care and chronic care organizations all as not-for-profit agencies.
1988 - October	VNA, in partnership with Community Mental Health of St. Clair County, opens the Specialized Adult Day Care Program for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.
1991 - March	VNA and Blue Water Hospice enter into a Joint Working Agreement.
1991 - June	Blue Water Hospice obtains Medicare and Medicaid Certification.
1992 - December	VNA becomes first home health care provider in the county accredited by the nationally recognized Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
1993 - March	VNA and Blue Water Hospice complete formal merger.
1994 - October	VNA introduces the first community based flu immunization program.
1999 - June	Telehomecare Program provides services to its first patient.
2002 - February	Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice celebrate 50 years of care for the community.
2003 - May	The 2002 Annual Meeting concludes the year of celebration.