The UnityPoint Health – Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is celebrating 30 years as part of Finley Hospital, marking three decades of collaboration that have expanded access to home health, public health services and community-based care for residents throughout the Tri-State area.

Since joining Finley Hospital on Oct. 1, 1996, the VNA has played an essential role in extending care beyond the hospital setting, helping patients recover at home, manage chronic conditions, maintain independence, and receive compassionate support at every stage of life.

“Thirty years ago, bringing the VNA and Finley Hospital together strengthened our ability to provide seamless care for patients across the continuum,” said Stacey Killian, director of the VNA. “What began as a partnership has grown into an integrated approach to care that helps meet people where they are, whether that’s in the hospital, in a clinic, or in their own home.”

Over the past three decades, the VNA has evolved alongside the changing healthcare needs of the community.

Milestones throughout the years include:

• February 1910: VNA-Dubuque is established due to poor health conditions related to Typhoid Fever. The Educational Division of the Dubuque Women’s Club launched a campaign to raise $1,200 for a visiting nurse in the city.
• 1916: Dubuque became one of only four Iowa cities (along with Davenport, Keokuk, and Des Moines) offering infant welfare services, a major public health achievement credited to the VNA
• 1920: VNA-Dubuque becomes the voice of public health in Dubuque.
• 1936: VNA-Dubuque shifts public health response to combat the rise of Tuberculosis.
• 1948: VNA-Dubuque begins offering Maternal Health clinics.
• 1955: The VNA was incorporated as a nonprofit.
• 1996: VNA-Dubuque merges with Finley Hospital.
• 1981: VNA-Dubuque expands services to vulnerable populations with Title X funding.
• 1997: VNA-Elkader merges as a department within the VNA-Dubuque.
• 1999:  VNA offered free or low cost physicals for K-12 students and babies.
• 2019:  VNA expanded services to include Maternal Health programming.
• 2020:   VNA delivered COVID pandemic relief services.
• 2022:  VNA expanded WIC services to encompass an eight-county service area, including Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.
• 2023:  VNA expanded services to include Family Planning.
• 2024: VNA opened a third location, VNA West, 1400 University Ave.
• 2025:  VNA expanded services to include SPOTS (offers prevention, testing and support for HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs)

Today, the VNA continues its 109-year tradition of in-home and community-based health services, offering over 30 programs for infants through the elderly, while maintaining its commitment to public health and community empowerment.

In 2025, the VNA provided more than 75,000 services, a 9% increase over the previous year. Direct clinical care hours grew 16% to more than 17,000 hours, while case management services increased 7% to nearly 15,000 hours. Through 367 community outreach events, the VNA connected with residents across the region and helped facilitate 712 community referrals, providing support to more than 3,300 individuals.

The impact of the partnership extends beyond individual patients. Together, Finley Hospital and the VNA have worked to improve care transitions, reduce barriers to care and support healthier communities across eastern Iowa and the surrounding region.

“As healthcare continues to change, our mission remains the same,” Killian said. “We are committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and supporting the health of our communities for generations to come.”