Hundreds Celebrate VNS’ 100th Anniversary

            BRIDGEPORT—“There is no more noble work than what you have decided to do with your lives—caring for the disadvantaged and those who cannot do for themselves.”  Those comments from Val Halamandaris, President of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, were among several highlights during Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut’s 100th anniversary annual meeting held at the Holiday Inn on October 20.   Some 200 staff, board members, donors and volunteers filled the hotel ballroom to hear from Halamandaris, view a video which chronicled the agency’s century of service and listen to a 92-year-old Southbury woman who has been a VNS patient for several years under the Connecticut Home Care for Elders program.  Margaret Carlquist struggled to tame her emotions as she described how her home care nurse had made it possible for her to remain a vibrant, active member of her community and an outspoken advocate of the importance of home health care services for the elderly.  The evening was topped off by the naming of the agency’s two 2009 Chairman’s Award winners, wound care nurse Sherie Sapia from VNS’ Torrington branch and receptionist Ginny Kazzi from the agency’s Trumbull location. 

VNS Staff	VNS Board Chair Bob Rodia with keynote speaker Halamandaris
VNS Staff	NAHC President Val Halamandaris addressed the VNS Annual Meeting.
2009 Chairman’s Award Winner Sherie Sapia from the Torrington branch with Board Chair Rodia	2009 Chairman’s Award Winner Ginny Kazzi from the Trumbull branch with Board Chair Rodia
VNS Patient Margaret Carlquist of Southbury and VNS President Bill Sullivan