Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island and
Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island Announce Affiliation

Combined, Both Groups Poised to Continue Providing Excellent Care
to Patients and Families in Changing Health Care Environment

Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island (HHCRI) and Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island (VNSGRI) have voted to form an affiliation between the two groups. Both entities expect the affiliation to be finalized in the Fall of 2011, at which point a new name for the new, non-profit parent organization will be announced.

 
This is an exciting opportunity to bring two of the region’s leading providers together – two groups who complement each other – combining their services and expertise to provide even better service for the thousands of people we serve,” he added.

The Providence-based Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island has been the community’s leader in hospice and palliative care since 1976. With a mission of caring for people who are seriously ill, the organization, with facilities in Providence and Wakefield, RI, has 330 employees and over 300 volunteers. Its President and CEO is Diana Franchitto.

The Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island is headquartered in Lincoln, RI and was founded in 1908. Led by President and CEO Donna Gouveia, the organization and its 140 employees and volunteers provide nurses, therapists, medical social workers, and home care aides to over 3,400 patients and families in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They also provide community based services and health education in senior centers and meal sites.

When we took a look at the changing nature of today’s health care world, we both came to the same conclusion - that now is the ideal time to bring together the complementary work of each of our organizations,” said Cristie Hanaway, Chair of the Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island Board of Directors. “This partnership will strengthen our financial base and allow us to grow, to thrive and to meet the needs of our patients in the best possible way.”

This affiliation will be subject to the approval of the RI Department of Health, as a new non-profit parent entity that will be created to allow HHCRI and VNSGRI to work together.

The affiliation will be seamless, with no disruption of services for patients or their families,” HHCRI’s Franchitto explained. The two agencies will maintain their current locations: HHCRI’s offices will remain in Providence and Wakefield, as will VNSGRI’s office in Lincoln.

It has been a real privilege for our two groups to serve our neighbors over the years, and we’re excited about this opportunity to work together,” said Gouveia of VNSGRI. “We look forward to continuing to focus on providing excellent, personalized care for our patients and support for their families.”

This mission will continue to be at the heart of who we are and what we do, every day,” she added.