Visiting Nurse Association

The work of the Visiting Nurse Association was initiated in 1907 with a parish nurse from St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, paid privately by a Mrs. Fitch in memory of her husband, attending to individuals in Colorado Springs who could not afford professional health care. In 1909 financial support for the nurse was assumed by a group of women and the organization was named District Nurse Association. In 1911 the name was changed to the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) and in 1912 the Association incorporated and entered into a contract with the Woman's Home Missionary Society of Colorado.

The initial focus of the Visiting Nurse Association was bedside nursing, particularly of tubercular patients, but the nurse also saw children as well as obstetrical and surgical patients. Soon the VNA was offering public health classes and clinics and the Relief Fund of the Association was providing food, clothing and medicine. A second full-time nurse was hired to provide child care education and obstetrical services. Within a short time the VNA was supporting a school nurse and a nurse at the Children's Ward of Beth-El Hospital.

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