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About Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk
Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk County (VNSHS) is an independent, not-for-profit health care agency that serves patients and their families throughout Suffolk County Long Island with visiting nurse home and hospice services, inpatient hospice house, rehabilitative therapy, medical social work, home health aid care, nutritional education, diabetic counseling, community programs and more.
Our professional staff is committed to treating patients with kindness and dignity, while helping them achieve their maximum level of health. Our knowledge and experience enable us to provide the best in home care to help patients cope with all of their health related needs. Over 100 specially trained hospice volunteers assist patients and their families with transportation, grocery shopping, errands and companionship.
There is no charge for an initial assessment. Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk will help patients determine what it covered by insurance. As a certified home health care and hospice agency, we bill Medicare, Medicaid and many other insurance companies and HMO’s. When insurance does not cover a needed service, fees are adjusted based on ability to pay.
What Sets Us Apart
1950’s
- 1952 – Visiting Nurse Service of Huntington Township (Visiting Nurse Association or VNA) becomes incorporated and makes first house call
- 1958 – Due to the need for additional office space, VNA moves to 304 Main Street in Huntington
- 1959 – The Thrift Shop is established, bringing an extra source of income
1960’s
- 1962 – Helen Strobl joins VNA as Supervisor of nurses; VNA joins the United Fund of Huntington Township and becomes a member of Federation of VNA’s of Nassau County
- 1965 – VNA amalgamates Suffolk County Department of Health and changes name to Visiting Nurse Service
- 1966 – VNS becomes eligible to participate in the Medicare program when it begins on July 1, 1966
- 1967 – VNS moves to larger office space located at 52 Elm Street in Huntington
1970’s
- 1972 – Founding President, H. Stuart Ortloff passes away
- 1978 – Fire destroys the VNS building on Elm Street; VNS moves to 125 West Hills Road in Huntington Station a few weeks later
1980’s
A decade of incredible growth; the 80’s brought significant change in the provision of home health care increasing its service area and types of services offered
- 1980 – Helen Strobl retires; Linda Taylor becomes Executive Director
- 1989 – VNS wins State Hospice Certification, becoming second official hospice on Long Island
1990’s
- 1991 – VNS moves into current address at 505 Main Street in Northport
- 1997 – The Balanced Budget Act is signed by President Clinton changing the reimbursement method for certified home health agencies
2000’s
- 2001 – Inaugural 5k Run for the Health of It
- 2002 – Name is changed to Visiting Nurse Services & Hospice of Suffolk
- 2004 – VNSHS opens New York State’s first freestanding inpatient hospice – Hospice House in East Northport
- 2009 – The 1st Helen Strobl Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school student entering nursing school
2010’s
- 2012 – VNSHS celebrates a milestone of 60 successful years of community service
- 2016 – Medical transportation program is established to assist and transport homebound patients to medical appointments
- 2019 – The 15th Anniversary of Hospice House is celebrated
2020’s
- 2024 – Linda Taylor retires; Silvia Cota becomes Chief Executive Officer.
