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SALEM-- Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association (SAVNA) is announcing its 100 year anniversary and the recent acquisition by merger of Home Care Advantage Inc. into its operation.
SAVNA is Salem's oldest visiting nurse association. It was incorporated in the State of Ohio in 1919, and has served the residents of Salem and the northern Columbiana County for 100 years.
SAVNA is a non-profit association and a fully qualified IRS 501 (c)(3) entity. Every three years it undergoes evaluation and certification by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals Organization ("JCAHO"). JCAHO is an organization whose mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public which it does through the provision of health accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. Although its requirements for certification are strict, JCAHO has continuously accredited SAVNA as meeting all requirements for the safety and quality care of its clients. Its financial activities are monitored and audited each year by an independent accounting firm. SAVNA employs 31 individuals in nursing and administrative positions.
Home Care Advantage Inc. celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, having been chartered as a non-profit home care corporation in 1994. It has provided quality home health care services and support for its clients for all of those years. Its staff of home care heath aides and its trained, tested and licensed State Tested Nursing Aides ("STNA") work in conjunction with the patients' doctors and nurses. Home Care Advantage also undergoes JCAHO accreditation every three years and has successfully met all requirement for certification. Its financial activities are monitored and audited each year by an independent accounting firm. Home Care Advantage, Inc. employs 57 individuals.
SAVNA and Home Care Advantage agreed to merge together as a single non-profit corporation and combine their services in order to provide better services to the community. "Home Care Advantage is the area's premier home health care agency. It's long-term success, sound management, and JCAHO accreditation make it stand out amongst providers of home health care services. Those qualities mad Home Care Advantage a perfect fit to join the professionals at SAVNA," said SAVNA's Executive Director, Brenda Kays, R.N.
SAVNA is managed by a Board of Trustees drawn from the local community. Board members include Mayor John Berlin, Wavelene Arnold (retired from Salem Regional Medical Center Pharmacy), Michael Giangardella (Salem Regional Medical Center), Suzanne Hickey (Hickey Metal Fabrication), David Scarpitti (Hunter & Associates), Catherine Hofmeister (Hofmeister Realty), Jerry Buckley (Huntington National Bank), Attorney Bret Apple (Law Office of K. Bret Apple), and Attorney Ian Robinson (Fitch & Kendall Law Office). Retiring board member Alma Apicella, R.N. served the agency for many years.
For information contact Brenda Kays, R.N., Executive Director, Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association, 718 E. Third St. Suite A, Salem, Ohio 44460. Telephone: 330-332-9986, or 330-337-4663. Facsimile: 330-332-8899.