VNA trustee Mindy Minerva presented with the Judith Stanley Coleman Award

VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION HEALTH GROUP PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE IN COMMUNITY HEALTH, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP
AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Longtime VNA trustee Mindy Minerva presented with the Judith Stanley Coleman Award

January 3, 2022 (Holmdel, NJ) – Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG) recently held it 109^th Annual Meeting where the organization presented longtime trustee Mindy Minerva with the Judith Stanley Coleman Award for Exceptional Service in Community Health. VNAHG also presented Parker Life with the Philanthropic Partner Award and the Red Bank Family YMCA with the Community Partner Award.  

The Judith Stanley Coleman Award, given out since 2010, was created as a tribute to the late Mrs. Judith Stanley Coleman, VNA’s Chairman for 33 years until her death in 2010. Mrs. Coleman left a lasting imprint on the VNA, serving as its “fearless advocate,” devoting her energy to meet challenges. The award is presented annually to an individual who carries on Mrs. Coleman’s legacy through: making a positive impact on community health; dedicating a significant amount of service to health care; demonstrating passion and vigilance in his or her advocacy for community health issues; as well as serving as an esteemed member of the community. 

Mrs. Minerva has served the VNA since 2007 when she became involved with VNA’s signature event the Stately Homes By the Sea Designer Show House, one of the most unique and profitable fundraising events in New Jersey. Mrs. Minerva ultimately became a driving force behind the Show House, helping plan the event four times from 2007 through 2015, attracting thousands of visitors and raising over $1.5 million for the VNA. In 2007, Mrs. Minerva also joined the VNA Foundation Board of Trustees; where she went on to serve as Chairman from 2011 through 2016. Her experience and skills as a human resources executive on Wall Street provided guidance and oversight, leading to unprecedented growth in philanthropic support for VNA. She was instrumental in helping generate a large portion of the charitable contributions made through the VNA’s 2020 VISION campaign which raised over $12.5 Million for the organization. Mrs. Minerva invested her time and energy in many areas of the VNA, serving as a member of the VNA Health Group Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Planned Giving Committee as well as Chair of the Board Development Committee.

“Mindy Minerva has made her mark at the VNA. Countless patients, staff and volunteers benefit every day from the fruits of her efforts,” says Bridget A. Murphy, CFRE, Chief Philanthropy Officer at VNA Health Group. “We are so grateful for her time, energy, passion and commitment to the VNA.”

At its Annual Meeting, VNA Health Group also honored Parker Life, led by Mr. Roberto Muniz, with the Philanthropic Partner Award for their generous philanthropic grants totaling $5 Million to date. Parker’s significant contribution has supported VNA’s Advanced Care Institute, making a transformative impact on VNA’s Visiting Physician Services’ ability to ensure palliative care is provided to patients, improving quality of life for both patients and families. VNA Health Group presented the Red Bank Family YMCA, led by Ms. Laurie Goganzer, President and CEO, with the Community Partner Award. The award recognizes the longstanding relationship between the Y and VNA, which was further cemented as the two organizations joined forces in early 2021 to help deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. Together, the YMCA’s Red Bank location and the VNACJ Community Health Center enhanced access to the vaccine for thousands in the community.

“It has not been an easy two years,” said Steven H. Landers, MD, MPH, President and CEO, VNA Health Group. “These individuals and organizations shine a light on the importance of persevering through the storm. To use Mrs. Minerva’s words – it takes a village. Together, we are creating healthier, safer communities.”

About Visiting Nurse Association Health Group 

Founded over 105 years ago with a mission to care for the community,  Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG)  helps individuals and families achieve their best level of health and well-being by offering high quality, compassionate home health, hospice, visiting physicians, palliative and community-based care,  private-pay personal care services as well as primary care for medically underserved patients. Today, VNAHG is a leading nonprofit provider of home and community based health services in New Jersey, Mid-Central Ohio and Southeast Florida. VNAHG’s unique partnership model with health systems leverages clinical and technical resources to operate VNA of Central Jersey Home Care and Hospice, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses, VNA of Englewood, Barnabas Health Home Care and Hospice, Visiting Physician Services, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio and Cleveland Clinic Florida Visiting Nurses. VNA of Central Jersey (VNACJ)’s Children and Family Health Institute operates nearly two dozen publicly funded safety –net health programs caring for more than 50,000 at risk individuals and families annually through as many as 325,000 patient encounters throughout the year. Their patient population includes children with developmental delays, behavioral disorders and disabilities, first-time mothers in need of a support system, students at risk of absenteeism, persons who are at high risk for HIV transmission or acquisition, the homeless and more with a special focus on vulnerable populations such as children, older adults and those with serious and disabling chronic illness. In collaboration with VNACJ’s Community Health Center in Asbury Park, VNACJ’s Prevention Resource Network operates the Jersey Shore’s first LGBTQ+ Health Center to provide an array of comprehensive care and wellness programs in a safe, culturally competent environment. VNACJ’s Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center with four locations in Monmouth County providing a full range of primary, prenatal, and preventative care for over 10,000 low-income, medically underserved residents annually as well as preventative, diagnostic and restorative dental services at its Asbury Park and Keyport locations. 

Since its inception, VNA Health Group has relied on charitable support from the community to ensure the continuation of its vital programs and services for every patient in need as well as enhanced programs for hospice patients and their families. While reimbursement from state and federal funding sources are crucial to providing programs for vulnerable populations, it is often not enough. VNA Health Group’s Philanthropy Office works with individuals, corporations, foundations and volunteers to raise needed funds through a variety of programs including special events, planned gifts, capital campaigns, memorial gifts, grants and major gifts. Contributions to VNA Health Group can be made by cash, check (made payable to VNAHG), pledge, credit card, appreciated property/securities, corporate matching gifts, planned gifts, or online at www.vnahg.org/giving. 

Pictured: Mindy Minerva, longtime VNA Health Group Trustee and Recipient of the VNA Health Group Judith Stanley Coleman Award for Exceptional Service in Community Health.