Appalachian Community Visiting Nurses Association Fund

In December 2005, Appalachian Community Visiting Nurses Association (ACVNA) client Cinda Bartlett developed complications of diabetes when a wound appeared on her foot. As is typical with diabetes, the circulation was poor to her wound area, and the infection spread to her bone. She eventually lost part of her leg. The lack of circulation prevented the surgical area from healing. She felt frustrated at the thought of further amputation and sought another doctor.

Her new physician worked closely with the Appalachian Community Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. (ACVNAHHS) to find a compatible wound care strategy. Bartlett credits her home care nurse, Sheryl Midkiff, for her fierce advocacy in trying to save Bartlett’s leg.

“Sheryl was assertive and kept insisting on trying new wound care therapies until she found something that worked. She and my doctor went through about three or four types of wound care until they found the right one,” Bartlett said. “I don’t know what I’d have done without Sheryl.”

Bartlett is a prime example of the work of the Athens-based Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice and Health Services, Inc. In 2006 the agency opened an endowment fund with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) to help secure the future sustainability of the organization and encourage agency growth. The ACVNA Fund was created to allow donors to designate their gifts to support the work of the home health and hospice organization in perpetuity.

The locally owned nonprofit organization has served clients in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Vinton and parts of Morgan and Perry counties since 1982.

At the time the endowment fund was created, Marnie Frey, CEO/president and founder of the organization, said FAO was an obvious choice for their endowed fund because of its reputation and because it is representative of the region ACVNAHHS serves. She also reflected on what the fund would mean for the future of the organization.

“It’s been a terrifically gratifying and positive experience to see our effort bear the fruits that it has,” Frey said. “I am hopeful that this fund helps secure our future endeavors.”

Frey pointed out the network of individuals who have helped build and support the agency and how important they have been to ACVNAHHS’s success.

“We did not do this alone – so many people have been involved over the last 25 years,” Frey said.

One of those supporters is Athens resident Ron Strickmaker, who is an FAO board member and served on the ACVNAHHS board for 19 years. During his tenure there, Strickmaker acted as board chairman and finance committee member, among other roles. Ron’s connection to the home health agency also is a family matter; his father was a health client before his death.

“My family learned firsthand about the high-quality care provided by the staff at VNA, and we will always be grateful,” Strickmaker said. “The people who understand the importance of giving back to our communities, to organizations like the VNA, recognize the strength of partnering with FAO. It is partially the resources FAO provides that will allow the VNA to continue their mission of helping folks in our communities.”