VNA Philadelphia

VNA Philadelphia was founded in 1886, by Helen Carnan Jenks, as the Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia (VNS). She learned about England’s district nurses service from a friend and wondered if such a service could be started in Philadelphia.

In 1886, VNA Philadelphia enlisted the assistance of physicians who gave the fledgling organization needed credibility within the medical community. By the end of the first year, The VNS served over 300 patients.

The visiting nurses brought quality health care, provided maternity care, hygienic instruction and preventative education. In the decades to follow, the VNS grew to be a critically important component of health care in Philadelphia. Epidemics of influenza, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis and America’s entry into World War I sorely taxed the city’s health care system. In each instance, the VNS worked to meet Philadelphia’s health care needs by providing prevention, treatment and education.

Today, operating as VNA Philadelphia, we deliver care to a wide range of patients in both the city and neighboring suburbs, by providing comprehensive home health and hospice care.

VNA Philadelphia continues to thrive by carrying on its philanthropic support of VNA patient care and providing for staff education.

VNA Philadelphia is the oldest and largest nonprofit home health, palliative and hospice provider in the region, and one of the most innovative in the nation. We are the home of the only freestanding, nonprofit, inpatient hospice unit in the Philadelphia area.

Founded in 1886, VNA Philadelphia is headquartered in the East Falls section of the city and serves 1,200 residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs each day.

VNA Philadelphia is Medicare Certified, licensed by the State of Pennsylvania, Accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP).