Extent: 8.5 linear feet

Provenance: Visiting Nurse Association of Eastern Montgomery County

Access: This collection is unrestricted

Citation: Visiting Nurse Association of Ambler and Vicinity Records, Center for The Study of The History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

Sponsorship: This collection was processed with funds provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission as part of the Nursing History Processing and Cataloging Project

Historical Sketch. The agency was formally established in 1923 and incorporated in 1930 under the name of the North Penn Community Center. In 1954, it officially changed its name to the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association, and in July 1976, changed again to the Visiting Nurse Association of Ambler and Vicinity. In 1984, it merged into the Visiting Nurse Association of Eastern Montgomery County (See collection MC 25).

The agency originated in the Red Cross home service branch in Ambler engaged in taking care of discharged soldiers and their dependents in 1918. As the war-time activities came to an end, interest in providing services to civilian cases developed. Mrs. George J. Cooke was appointed to study the situation and report to the Red Cross committee. In 1919, a social worker was engaged. In October 1920, the Colony Club of Ambler, at Mrs. Cooke's request, decided to join the Red Cross Committee in giving the newly formed service to the community. The first nurse was engaged in 1921. Two more were employed the next year. In 1923, baby clinics were started in three localities. The Red Cross Roll Call, the work of the Needlework Guild and the Sale of Tuberculosis Seals also took place at the center. During the depression years, the center engaged in relief work, dispensing aid to the unemployed. In 1941, Miss Mae Garrett was appointed director. She stressed such functions of public health nursing as good nursing care, health instruction, referral for families with speical problems, and assistance in the planning of a community health program. In April 1941, 169 patients were aided in an influenza epidemic. Maternity ward patients were referred to the center. Health lectures were given. Pre-school examinations and T.B. programs continued. The staff was increased to four nurses. Health supervision was carried on in 7 area schools. In 1943, over five thousand nursing visits were made. In 1947, the child health clinic was re-established including a well-baby and a dental clinic. In 1955, the agency assisted in a program of Salk polio immunization at a local school. The advent of Medicare in 1966 brought about many changes in the policies, procedures, certifications and other aspects of the agency. In early years, funds were raised through an annual drive, rummage sales and Salvage Shop. The agency's record of receiving funds from the Community Chest (the United Fund, and later the United Way, of Philadelphia) started in early 1950's. Since 1955, appropriations have also been received from the townships and boroughs the agency serves as well as from the county. Other sources of income are the Department of Public Welfare, the American Cancer Society, the Veteran Administration, Blue Cross, and Medicare.

Summary. The collection consists of a comprehensive variety of records documenting the development of the suburban visiting nurse association. Besides a large quantity of formal records (Board and committee records), it also contains all kinds of administration files (such as agreements, correspondence, policy manuals), financial file, and files of other organizations. Also included are some photographs and nine well-kept scrapbooks (mostly of newsclippings).

Series Description. This collection has been arranged into eight series:

Series I. Institutional and Board records, 1922-1985

Series II. Committee records, 1953-1985

Series III. Administration, 1931-1987

Series IV. Financial file, 1923-1985

Series V. Publications, clippings and subject file, 1947-1983

Series VI. Other organizations, 1924-1983

Series VII. Photographs

Series VIII. Scrapbooks (newsclippings, etc.), 1935-1983

Series I. Institutional and Board records. This series consists mainly of history of the agency, its bylaws, and Board minutes from 1925 to 1985.

Series II. Committee records. Included in this series are records of all committees, mostly minutes, and committee manuals.

Series III. Administration. This series contains minutes of all kinds of staff meetings, agreements and contracts, correspondence, policy manuals, and files documenting various kinds of programs and activities.

Series IV. Financial file. This series consists of budgets, annual financial statements, ledgers, etc.

Series V. Publications, clippings, and subject file. This series contains brochures, news clippings and other miscellaneous subject files.

Series VI. Other organizations. Included in this series are files of all organizatinos that had business with the agency. The United Way of Philadelphia and Vicinity and the Natinoal League for Nursing are the two major ones. The series is arranged alphabetically by the names of the organizations.

Series VII. Photographs. Photographs contained in this series have initially been assorted into two folders. They document all kinds of services provided by the agency.

Series VIII. Scrapbooks. This series consists of nine scrapbooks, six of which are of newsclippings from 1941 to 1983 and the remaining three of samples of printing matters and other miscellaneous items.

Series I. Institutional and Board records, 1922-1985

Box 1

f.1 History of the North Penn Community Center, [1935]
f.2 History material, miscellaneous, [??- 1963]
f.3 History of North Penn Visiting Nurse Association, [1969]
        Bylaws
f.4         1966
f.5         1969
f.6         1977
f.7         1980
f.8     Statement of Philosophy
        Annual meeting
f.9         1950
f.10       1955-1965
f.11       1977-1980
f.12  Annual reports, 1955-1980
f.13  Minutes Book of the early years, 1922-1924
        Minutes Book of Board, Executive Committee and Administrative Committee
f.14         1925-1935
f.15         1935-1936 (pp. 1-38)
f.16         1937-1938 (pp. 39-104)
f.17         1939-1940 (pp. 105-164)
f.18         1941-1942 (pp. 165-260)
f.19         1943-1944 (pp. 261-366)

Box 2

f.20         1945 (pp. 1-40)
f.21         1946-1947 (pp. 41-118)
f.22         1948-1949 (pp. 119-180)
f.23         1950-1952 (pp. 181-224)
f.24         1952 (pp. 225-246)
f.25         1953-1955 (pp. 247-300)
f.26         1955-1957 (pp. 1-40)
f.27         1957-1960 (pp. 41-80)
f.28         1960-1964 (pp. 83-126)
f.29         1964-1966 (pp. 127-156)
f.30         1966-1969 (pp. 157-194)
f.31         1969-1971 (pp. 195-252)
            Board of Directors, minutes
f.32         OCT 1971-MAY 1972
f.33         JUN 1972-MAR 1973
f.34         APR 1973-DEC 1973
f.35         JAN 1974-MAY 1974
f.36         1974-1975
f.37         1975-1976

Box 3

f.38         1976-1977
f.39         1978
f.40         1979
f.41         1980
f.42         1981
f.43         1982
f.44         1983
f.45         1984-1985
            Board of Directors, correspondence
f.46         1979-1982, president (Elizabeth Avery)
f.47         1982
            Board of Directors, Lists
f.48         1957-1969
f.49         1974-1975
f.50         1976-1977
f.51         1978-1979
f.52         1982-1983
            Board of Directors, Manual
f.53         1969
f.54         1972   
f.55         1975

Box 4

f.56         1977-1978
f.57         1979-1980
f.58         1980-1981
f.59         1981-1982
f.60         1982-1983
f.61     Board member orientation, agenda material, undated

Series II. Committee records, 1953-1985

f.1     Annual reports of committees and Executive Director, 1976-1979
        Reports of Executive Directors
f.2         1970-1976
f.3         1977-1978
f.4         1978-1979, monthly reports
f.5         1979-1980
f.6     Board Committees, composition and functions, 1979
f.7     Board Orientation Committee, minutes, 1971
        Executive Committee, minutes
f.8         1975-1980
f.9         1981-1982
        Finance Committee
            Minutes
f.10         1970-1980
f.11         1981-1983
f.12     Report, 1976-1978
f.13     Correspondence, 1976-1977
f.14     Office file, 1977
f.15  Fiscal Affairs Committee, minutes, 1983
f.16  Medical Advisory Committee, minutes, 1970-1971
        Nominating Committee
f.17     Minutes, 1973-1980
f.18     Report and member list, 1978-1979
f.19     Correspondence, 1977
f.20     Office file, 1977-1978
        Nursing Committee, minutes
f.21     1970-1971
f.22     1973
        Personnel and Program Committee
            Minutes
f.23         1973-1976
f.24         1977-1978
f.25         1978-1981
f.26         1981-1983
f.27         1984-1985
f.28     Composition and functions, 1977
f.29     Student report on clerkship, 1975
f.30     Job descriptions, 1978

Box 5

        Professional Advisory Committee
            Minutes
f.31         1969-1971
f.32         1972
f.33         1973
f.34         1974-1975
f.35         1976
f.36         1977
f.37         1978-1981
f.38         1982-1983
f.39     Consultation on Dental Clinic Services, 1971
f.40     Composition and functions, 1976
            Correspondence
f.41         1976-1977
f.42         1980
f.43     Recommendations, 1978
f.44     Membership list, 1976
        Property Committee
f.45     Minutes and reports, 1970-1983
f.46     Transportation policies, 1973-1975
f.47     Office file, 1977-1978
        Public Relations Committee
            Minutes
f.48         1970-1971
f.49         1973-1977
f.50         1978-1980
f.51         1981-1983
f.52     Correspondence, 1977-1978
f.53     Office file, 1977-1978
        Utilization Review Committee
            Minutes
f.54         1970-1971
f.55         1973-1976
f.56         1978-1979
f.57     Audit meeting minutes and statistics, 1975-1976
f.58     Correspondence, 1976-1977
f.59     Record review statistics summary, 1976-1977

Box 6

f.60     Third quarter review statistics with questionnaires, 1976-1977
f.61     Quarterly reviews, 1980-1981
f.62  Welfare Committee, minutes, 1953
f.63  Ad Hoc Pension Committee, minutes, 1984
f.64  Ad Hoc Committee on Committee Functions, minutes, 1978
f.65  Long Range Planning Committee, 1979-1981
f.66  Occupational and Physical Therapists Meeting, minutes, 1970-1971
        Committee Manuals
f.67     Executive Committee, 1979-1981
            Finance and Budget Committee
f.68         1979-1980
f.69         1980-1981
f.70     Nominating Committee, 1979-1981
            Personnel Committee
f.71         1979-1980
f.72         1980-1981
            Professional Advisory Committee
f.73         1979-1980
f.74         1980-1981
f.75     Property Committee, 1979-1981
f.76     Public Relations Committee, 1979-1981

Series III. Administration, 1931-1987

            Staff Council
f.1             Constitution and bylaws, 1972
                 Minutes
f.2                  1971-1973
f.3                  1975-1977
f.4                  1976-1979
f.5                  1979-1980
f.6                  1980-1983
f.7             Director/staff council representative meeting, minutes, 1972

Box 7

                 Administrative staff meeting, minutes
f.8                  1975-1976
f.9                  1977-1978
f.10                1979-1980
f.11                1980-1983
f.12         Clerical staff meeting, 1977-1978
                Inservice Education Meeting, minutes
f.13                1970-1971
f.14                1975
f.15                1976
f.16                1977
f.17                1978
f.18                1979-1980
f.19                1980-1981
f.20                1981-1983
f.21         Planning meeting, minutes, 1971
f.22         Staff meeting minutes, 1970-1971
f.23         Supervisors meeting, 1970-1971
f.24         Admissions, monthly statistics summary, 1980-1981
               Agreements and contracts
f.25             Agreement between North Penn VNA and Colony Club of Ambler re real estate property, 1931
f.26             Certified public accountants (Niessen), contract and correspondence, 1981-1982
f.27             Community Chest of Philadelphia, agreement, 1954
f.28             Community Health Association, agreement and proposal for management services, 1982
f.29             Contract between VNA of Ambler & Vicinity and North Penn VNA, 1977
f.30             Contract for medical social service, 1986
f.31             C.O.P.E., contract & correspondence re use of social workers, 1978-1979

Box 8

f.32             GLS Associates, Inc., with correspondence, 1980
f.33             Home Health Services of Chester County and Vicinity, 1982
f.34             Medical Transcriptionist, 1981-1982
f.35             Medox: contract for home health aides, 1982
                   Montgomery County Homemaker-Home Health Aide Service
f.36                  1980-1981
f.37                  1981-1983
f.38             Montgomery County Office of Economic Opportunity, 1975
f.39             Montgomery County Office on Older Adults, agreement on social services for senior adults, 1977-1986
f.40             Olsten Health Care Services, 1982-1983
f.41             Physical therapists, 1979-1982
f.42             Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1972-1981
f.43             Schell, Ernest H., re public relations service, 1980-1981
f.44             Speech Therapist, contract, 1978-1980
f.45             United Fund of the Philadelphia Area, agreement for participation in the fund-raising, 1966
f.46             Upjohn Healthcare Services, 1979-1980
f.47         Boroughs and townships, health information, [1957]
f.48         Certificate for membership of Health and Welfare Council, 1961
f.49         Certificate of Registration under Solicitation Law, 1978
f.50         Conditions of participation by home health agencies, 1969
               Correspondence
f.51             Ambler Colony Club, re real estate property, 1948-1962
f.52             Blue Cross, memos, 1966-1969
f.53             Coopers and Lybrand, re auditing, 1980-1981
f.54             Covenant House Health Services, 1976
f.55             Dental office, 1978-1979
                   General
f.56                  1966-1970
f.57                  1971-1985
f.58             Health and Welfare Retirement, 1950-1953
f.59             Industrial nursing, 1960
f.60             Medical College of Pennsylvania, re student field visits, 1976-1978
f.61             Membership drive, 1972
f.62             Merger of VNA of Ambler and Vicinity and VNA of Eastern Montgomery County, 1977-1978
f.63             Montgomery County Board of Assistance, re use of offices, 1979
f.64             Norristown State Hospital, 1981
f.65             Patients, 1968-1970

Box 9

f.66             Pediatric Associates of Plymouth, 1978-1979
f.67             Pennsylvania Department of Health, re rental space for a chest clinic, 1983
f.68             President's correspondence (North Penn VNA), 1958
f.69             President of the Board, 1968-1969
f.70             President Samuel Trueblood's correspondence, 1977-1979
                   Salary schedule and position offering correspondence
f.71                  1981-1982
f.72                  1982-1983
f.73             Stockton, Bates and Company, re finance and audit services, 1976-1977
f.74             Temple University, re a gerontology center, 1977
f.75         Donations record book, 1974-1978
f.76         Emergency standing orders, undated
               Evaluation, annual
f.77             1980-1981
f.78             1981-1982
f.79         Evaluation material on students' field experience in public health nursing, [1962]
f.80         Fiftieth anniversary, annual meeting file, 1969
f.81         Guide for agency program priorities, undated
f.82         Guide for making and recording a nursing visit to chronically-ill patient, undated
f.83         Head nurse's monthly report, 1936-1939
f.84         Headquarters building description, undated
f.85         Home evaluation guide, etc., undated
f.86         Index of inactive file, undated
f.87         Index to Minute Books (by subject), 1935-1945
f.88         Instructions on transportation, undated
f.89         List of employees, 1971
f.90         Lists of numbers to be purged from clinics, undated
f.91         Lists of school principals and doctors, [1964]
f.92         Mailing lists, individuals and associations, 1962
f.93         Luncheon to celebrate 20th anniversary, [1939]
f.94         Medicare, statistics of billing, 1969-1970
f.95         Meeting on re-certification of agency for medicare, 1969
f.96         Monthly service statistics, 1972
f.97         Organization chart (North Penn Visiting Nurse Association), undated
f.98         PAHHA (Pennsylvania Assembly of Home Health Agencies), agenda material,1975-1976
f.99         PA legislation material re nurses, 1952-1967
f.100       Patient records, diagnosis survey, undated

Box 10

f.101       Petitioning to Pennsylvania legislature re the House bill #1942, [1973]
               Policy and manuals
f.102         Dental clinic policies, 1971
f.103         Dental service policies and dentist contract forms, 1976
f.104         Medical policies and standing orders, 1970
f.105         Medical relationship policies, undated
                 Personnel policies
f.106             1970
f.107             1971
f.108             1976
f.109             1980
f.110             1981
f.111             1984
f.112             1987
f.113         Personnel practice policy manual, [1969-1970]
                 Policy Manual
f.114             1975
f.115             [1976]
f.116             1977-1978
f.117-118      1979-1980
f.119         Professional staff manual, 1972
                 Records manual
f.120             1978

Box 11

f.121             1979-1980
f.122     Policy changes, recommended, 1978-1979
f.123     Policy statement, general, 1980
f.124     Policy review, summary, 1980-1981
             Programs and activities
f.125         College settlement camps, 1965-1969
f.126         Convalescent homes, lists and brochures, [1955]
f.127         Dental clinic conference, 1973
                 Dental services
f.128             Billings and fees, 1971-1973
f.129              Correspondence, 1971-1977
f.130              Correspondence re the clinic shutdown, 1976-1977
f.131             Statistics, 1974-1980
f.132             Survey, 1974
f.133             Survey and proposal, 1976-1977
f.134         Dental service facilities, correspondence, 1967-1972
f.135         EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program), correspondence, 1974
f.136         Headstart 1970 health program, 1970
f.137         Health course teaching at the Montessori school, 1970-1971
f.138         Health Improvement Program, 1972
f.139         Home Health Aide Inservice Education, 1980-1981
f.140         Home health aide orientation and training program, 1967
f.141         Hospice program, statistics and reports, 1983
f.142         NLN/APHA accreditation program, interim report, 1981
f.143         North Penn VNA programs, 1954-1965
f.144         Occupational and physical therapy, 1970
                 Office of Economic Opportunity Program
f.145              Correspondence, 1970-1973
f.146             Mission and policy, [1973]
f.147             Program review and recommendations, 1973-1974
                 Orientation program, 1971
f.148             Part I.

Box 12

f.149             Part II.
f.150             Part III.
                O.T.-P.T. conference
f.151             [1971-1972]
f.152             minutes, 1974-1975
f.153         Patient care study course, undated
f.154         Physical therapy program, treatment policies and procedures, undated
f.155         Polio clinic, procedural material, undated
f.156         Utilization review program, quarterly and annual reports, 1979-1983
f.157         Workshop on funding and resources, 1980
f.158     Public health nursing activities, monthly report, 1972-1973
f.159     Public relations, miscellaneous, 1965-1972
f.160     Public relations, promotion material, 1981-1982
f.161     Publicity, newsclippings, 1970-1975
f.162     Questionnaire, agency status, undated
f.163     Report of visit to North Penn VNA by maternal and child health nursing consultant, 1972
f.164     Report on programs, 1971
f.165     Retirement plan, miscellaneous, 1968-1974
f.166     Social audit of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association, 1951-1956
f.167     Staff continuing education record, 1980-1983
f.168     Utilization review by Blue Cross, 1969-1971
f.169     Utilization review, quarterly summary, 1977-1978
f.170     Visits, monthly statistics summary, 1980-1981
f.171     Workmen's compensation, 1979-1983
f.172     Workshop agenda, 1980

Series IV. Financial file, 1923-1985

Box 13

f.1         Budgets, 1971-1982
f.2         Budget, OEO (Office of Economic Opportunity), 1969-1972
f.3         Detail of expenditure, 1980-1982
f.4         Financial reports for the Board of Directors, 1969-1970
             Financial statements by certified public accountants
f.5             1943-1951
f.6             1955-1959
f.7             1960-1970
f.8             1971-1975
f.9             1976-1980
f.10           1981-1982
f.11      Insurance and benefit, undated
            Ledgers
f.12         Ambler Welfare Council, 1931-1939
               North Penn VNA
f.13             1923-1926
f.14             1926-1935

Box 14

f.15             1936-1941
f.16             1941-1955
f.17     Medicare cost reports, 1968-1976
f.18     Salary scales, 1985

Series V. Publications, clippings, and subject file, 1947-1983

f.1         Brochures, 1951-1983
f.2         Clippings on merger and expansion, 1975-1978
f.3         News clippings, 1960
f.4         Pamphlet: nursing manual , 1947
f.5         Speech by Eleanor Lefson on public health nursing at the 40th anniversary of North Penn VNA, 1959

Series VI. Other organizations, 1924-1983

f.1         Ambler-Penllyn Neighborhood Council, 1970-1971
f.2         Community Nursing Meeting, agenda and minutes, 1971
             Community Nursing Service of Chester and Vicinity
f.3             Board manual, 1969
f.4             Statistical data on services performed, 1971
f.5         Montgomery County health units, surveys and statistics, 1956-1958
f.6         National Association of Home Health Agencies, standards for in-home health services, 1976
             National League for Nursing
f.7             Board members forum proceedings, 1971
                 Consultation visit
f.8                  Correspondence, 1982-1983
f.9                  Report to VNA of Ambler, 1983
f.10           Correspondence, re merger of VNA of Ambler with Community Health Association of Ardmore, 1983

Box 15

f.11       National Organization for Public Health Nursing, report on Penn Community Center at Ambler, 1924
f.12       Pennsylvania Nurses Association, legislative bulletin, 1963
             United Way (Community Chest of Philadelphia and Vicinity, United Fund)
f.13             Captions for photos sent to Ambler Gazette, undated
f.14              Correspondence re auditing of North Penn VNA budgets, 1952-1962
f.15             Policy manual, 1954
f.16             Fund agency review of North Penn VNA, 1965
f.17             Position statement on agency controversial activities, 1970
f.18             Solicitation policies, 1970
f.19             Allocation requests, monthly, 1970-1973
f.20             Supplementary budget funds appeal, 1974
f.21             Budget file, 1976-1978
f.22             Instructions for preparing budgets and financial reports, 1973-1976
f.23             Program service goals and objectives of VNA of Ambler, 1980-1981
f.24     U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, program evaluation in home health branch, 1969
f.25     U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, report "Home Health Services in the United States," 1972
f.26     Annual reports of VNA organizations in other counties and states, 1956-1963
f.27     Brochures of other nursing institutions, 1961-1969
f.28     Brochures of other visiting nursing associations, 1924-1964

Series VII. Photographs, (in 2 folders, not processed yet)

Series VIII. Scrapbooks (newsclippings, etc.), 1935-1964

Box 16

Scrapbook 1 Miscellaneous, 1935-1940
Scrapbook 2 Newsclippings, 1941-1945

Box 17

Scrapbook 3 Newsclippings, 1945-1950
Scrapbook 4 Newsclippings, 1951-1957

Box 18

Scrapbook 5 Newsclippings, 1958-1969
Scrapbook 6 Newsclippings, 1975-1979
Scrapbook 7 Newsclippings, 1976-1983

Box 19

Scrapbook 8 Printing samples, 1941-1947
Scrapbook 9 Printing samples, 1948-1964

revised 6 NOV 1992