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.
Funding for the VNA came originally from private donors. In 1913 City Council budgeted $50 per year for the VNA. In later years Community Chest, other local funding agencies, and community campaigns and 'subscriptions' contributed to the VNA programs. In 1939-1940 the City-County Health Unit was established, combining the VNA with public school nurses under the supervision of the Board of Health. Emphasis was placed on communicable disease awareness and prevention and on school nursing. As the population in Colorado Springs increased and immunization program was initiated. In 1967 the VNA became a Certified Home Health Agency under the Medicare program and in 1969 the VNA was being reimbursed by Medicaid as well.
Faced with increasing operating deficits, the VNA was voluntarily dissolved by its Board in August, 1986.
From the guide to the Visiting Nurse Association of the Pikes Peak Region Records, 1908-1995, (Special Collections in the 1905 Carnegie Library, Pikes Peak Library District, P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, CO, 80901)
