SSM Health and Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis (VNA) announced today they’ve successfully completed a transfer of ownership of VNA’s health care services. Effective immediately, the exceptional services VNA is known for – including hospice care, Advanced Illness Management (AIM),community-based palliative care, private duty care, Visit-A-Bit, vaccination, wellness, and music appreciation programs – will now operate as part of SSM Health at Home.
The announcement marks the union of two highly regarded and mission-driven organizations who share an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional health care services to meet the needs of the individuals and families they serve throughout the St. Louis region.
Patients and their families will continue to receive the high-quality compassionate care they’ve come to know and expect from VNA, but also benefit from the additional expertise, resources and comprehensive network of providers and services offered by SSM Health throughout the Midwest.
“We are excited about the opportunity to unite with this highly respected healthcare organization to further expand access to high-quality compassionate health care services across the full continuum in the St. Louis region,” said Denise Gloede, MSN, RN, President – Continuum of Care at SSM Health. “Together, we’ll be able to serve more patients and families who are depending on us.”
Both SSM Health and the VNA are well-known and trusted healthcare providers who’ve been serving the St. Louis community with compassion and excellence for more than 100 years; SSM Health since 1872 and the VNA since 1911. Bringing these organizations together will enable the sharing of best practices, clinical and operational expertise, that further enhances care. Together, SSM Health and VNA will expand access to affordable, high-quality post-acute care across the St. Louis region, ensuring patients get the care they need, when and where they need it most.
“I could not be prouder of the exceptional health care legacy we’ve built at the VNA and the decision to join SSM Health was not made lightly,” said Nesa Joseph, MHA, Ed.D, President and CEO of Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis. “Our missions, values and cultures are very similar – focused on employee and physician partnership, continuous quality improvement, and patient-centered care with a special concern for the poor and vulnerable. Ultimately, we believe SSM Health is the right partner to ensure we’re able to continue meeting the growing and evolving needs of the individuals and families we serve.”
The SSM Health Foundation - St. Louis will establish a new fund named in honor of the VNA and be used to further enhance and expand hospice and community-based advanced illness care services across the region. This fund ensures the spirit and healing legacy of the VNA continues to shine bright in our community and positively enrich the lives of those most in need.
About SSM Health
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system dedicated to advancing innovative, sustainable, and compassionate care for patients and communities throughout the Midwest and beyond. The organization’s 40,000 team members and 12,800 providers are committed to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.”
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.