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Stratford VNA, Established 1919
Nursing work was started in Stratford as a peace time activity by the local chapter of the American Red Cross in 1919. Mrs. C. Kennedy, wife of the Episcopal Rector, was the first President. Mrs. Kennedy was a woman of unusual vision and patriotism, and it was due to her splendid leadership that this work grew and prospered, making a most effective contribution to the welfare of the community in the early days. The first Public Health Nurse was Miss Beatrice Olson, whose personality and
nursing skill endeared her to all. She carried her little black bag, and
either walked or rode on the
Early in our existence in 1919, the State Tuberculosis Commission appointed
us the agent for Tuberculosis Seal Sale Program. The work of the Christmas
Seal drive was carried on by the Tuberculosis Committee of the Nursing
Association until 1962, a period of 43 years, when we were incorporated into the
Greater Bridgeport Area Tuberculosis Association. In 1920 we opened a Tuberculosis Clinic with Dr. Lynch of Laurel Heights Sanitarium in charge. That was also the year of the first great influenza epidemic, and under the supervision of Miss Olson, our nurse, the Board Members of the Public Health Nursing Association did heroic work for our community. Our next office was located in the Whiting House, a colonial house standing on the site now occupied by our new Town Hall. Following this home, we were moved back to the old Town Hall on the second floor, where we remained for a number of years. Here is where we started to show our strength in the Public Health Nursing to the community. In 1922 we accepted the responsibility for conducting the Red Cross Roll Call for the Stratford Chapter, and this we continued to do until April 1944. From 1924 to 1926 many hours were spent in the study of a cost per visit, and when you realize we had to satisfy the Metropolitan and the John Hancock Insurance Companies of the wisdom of our expenditures, you may be sure this study had to be both complete and thorough. Our cost per visit was $1.00. We served both of these companies for many years. In 1930 we arranged and financed a Health Survey of Stratford by Dr. Ira Hiscock of Yale. This report was printed in the 1931 Town Report.
For several years we promoted an X-Ray Program in the local schools under the supervision of the State Department of Health; and a follow-up program, where indicated, was carried out. In 1949, the name of our organization was changed from the Stratford Public Health Nursing Association to the Stratford Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. In June, 1956, when the old Town Hall was torn down, our headquarters were relocated to Room 217 of the new Town Hall. On July 1, 1960, the two registered nurses from the Department of Health integrated with the Visiting Nurse Association nurses. In 1972 our offices were moved to the Health and Welfare Building located directly across the street from the new Town Hall. In 1989 we moved our offices to a house located at 2526 Main Street near the Stratford Railroad Station. In August, 1993, our offices were relocated to our present offices at north Stratford at 88 Ryders Lane on the second floor. In July of 1993, Stratford VNA became the first non-profit organization in the state to achieve accreditation by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
We have come a long way since 1919, but with growing changes in education, medicine, and procedures, we must be ready at all times to meet new challenges.
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streetcar to visit her patients. The Town
Selectmen built a small office for her on the first floor of the old Town Hall;
and under conditions that today would seem impossible, she achieved remarkable
results.
