LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Visit-
ing Nursing Association of Western New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality of life in the communities across this great State of New York
is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions of distinction whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of
others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 125th Anniversary of the Visiting Nursing Association of West-
ern New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1885, the Visiting Nursing Association (VNA) was
the first visiting nursing organization in America; and
WHEREAS, In that same year, approximately 75% of America's 50 million
people lived on farms or in rural hamlets; tuberculosis was the greatest
killer of adults; other common diseases suffered in that period included
bronchitis, rheumatism, kidney and circulatory ailments, malaria,
syphilis, and small pox; life expectancy was around 40 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Medical science had just discovered that certain bacteria
could cause human disease; the hospital system was in its infancy, with
less than 700 in the entire country; physicians were normally general-
ists who treated the entire family; and
WHEREAS, Nurses in the area trained at the Buffalo General Hospital
School of Nursing, which was founded in 1877; they also provided care in
people's homes for those who could afford to pay for it; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Coe Marshall thought home care should be provided
for all, regardless of their ability to pay, and created the vision of a
non-profit organization dedicated to that concept; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Coe Marshall got the idea after she was ill as a
result of an accident, and care was provided by a nurse in her home; she
approached her church, the First Presbyterian, for some monetary support
to get started; and
WHEREAS, Funds left over from a memorial fund set up for the son of
the pastor were used to pay for the services of the first visiting
nurse; she hired Mary Taylor as the first visiting nurse, fresh from
graduation from the Buffalo General School; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Coe Marshall died just a few years later, in 1892,
but by that time the VNA of Western New York was firmly established; and
WHEREAS, VNAs in Boston and Philadelphia started on the heels of
Elizabeth's dream, but the visiting nurse movement began in Buffalo, New
York; from those humble beginnings in Western New York, the VNA movement
migrated across the country; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are over 500 visiting nurse associations,
employing more than 90,000 clinicians, providing health care to more
than four million people each year; and
WHEREAS, The VNA of Western New York of today consists of more than
900 employees; this worthy organization has an average daily census (all
services) of 6,500 patients and a 98% patient satisfaction; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the VNA of Western New York has 330,000 annual
certified home visits and its Community Immunization Program provides
50,000 shots per season; and
WHEREAS, VNAs provide a critical safety net in communities, enabling
its patients to continue to live independently at home; the VNA of West-
ern New York has evolved to become one of the largest VNAs in the coun-
try, and an integral part of the healthcare landscape of our communi-
ties; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Visiting Nursing Association of
Western New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York, 2100
Wehrle Drive, Williamsville, New York 14221.