The Visiting Nurse Association of Huron Valley came into existence in April of 1980 with merger of the Ann Arbor Visiting Nurse Association and the Ypsilanti Visiting Nurse Agency. The Ann Arbor association traces its origins to the University Hospital Circle of King's Daughters and Sons, a charitable organization established in 1896 to help needy hospital patients. At first a private agency, in 1910 the organization began to receive some funding from the Ann Arbor City Council for its work. In 1913, the organization became an independent public agency associated with the National Organization for Public Health Nursing and called itself the Visiting Nurse Association. In 1918 the name was changed to the Ann Arbor Public Health Nursing Association (AAPHNA).
Through the early-to-mid 1900s the association developed more formal ties with the city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, and as a result received more funding from these sources. In 1954 the AAPHNA became the Ann Arbor Visiting Nurse Association, and evolved into a social service agency funded by local government, grants, the United Way, and fees from private and governmental agencies such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross. The association functioned independently until it merged in 1980 with the Ypsilanti Visiting Nurse Agency. At that time a new board was established with ten representatives from each city and four from Washtenaw County.
The Ypsilanti Visiting Nurse Agency (YVNA) began in 1941 with the employment of a half-time nurse whose salary was paid by the Community Fund Board. Service gradually expanded to cover more areas of the county, and by the 1950s three nurses were employed. Major funding by the Community Chest continued, while other sources, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross contributed to the budget. Physical therapy and psychiatric follow-up services were added during the 1960s. While operating independently, the Ypsilanti Visiting Nurse Agency was under the supervision of the Washtenaw County Health Department, who hired its personnel. The YVNA was dissolved when it merged in 1980 with the Ann Arbor Visiting Nurse Association.
From the guide to the Visiting Nurse Association of Huron Valley records, 1896-1982, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
