DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION. The Dubuque Visiting Nurse Association was founded in February 1910, in response to Dubuque's poor health conditions, including the presence of typhoid fever and malaria. Anna Blanche COOK, Mrs. George Kiesel and Mrs. Herbert Adams invited the Director of the Chicago VNA to Dubuque. As a result of a meeting at which the purpose of the VNA was explained, the Dubuque chapter was established. The charter board of directors, forty-two women, represented each of Dubuque's churches. Mrs. Ben Kaufman was the board's first president.

Miss Jessie Keys became the first staff member of the Dubuque VNA on May 1, 1910. Keys served as director, nurse, and office secretary for fifty dollars per month. Funds for her salary and the purchase of supplies were raised by the board of directors. As the organization had no office, Harvey Gill, a druggist on Hill Street, took phone messages.

Keys' efforts initiated many programs in the city. The Open Window Room at PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL for handicapped students was later operated by the Board of Education. A school-nursing program was started at all schools; a hot lunch program was begun at the homes of board members who transported the meals to the school.

The VNA operated the Christmas Health Seal Sale. Camps for needy children, which were later operated by the YMCA-YWCA, DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB and area scouting organizations, were first operated by the VNA using the grounds of WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY and later the former home of James LANGWORTHY.

In 1911 the Dubuque VNA established offices in the BANK AND INSURANCE BUILDING with operating costs raised by soliciting funds from local businesses. The VNA also contracted with Metropolitan Insurance Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company and the Women's Benefit Association to care for their policyholders. When rent was raised from twelve to twenty dollars, the VNA moved to a small office in the DUBUQUE CITY HALL. Until 1958, when the first VNA fund drive was held, the activities of the organization were conducted at different sites throughout the community. Under the chairmanship of William GALLOGLY, the fund drive was able to raise sufficient money to allow the VNA to purchase a site for their organization at 412 Loras.

Although the Board of Directors in 1919 had discussed the advisability of purchasing an automobile for the organization's use, the first car was not purchased until 1935. Money for the automobile was raised by the VNA Junior Board, organized in 1932, which used funds from the "Follies of 1935." The first VNA Charity Ball was held at the DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB in 1947 under the sponsorship of the Junior Board. Since 1947 proceeds from the annual charity event have been used to purchase nine cars.

See: FRESH AIR CAMPS

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 15th and Iowa.