Patient Stories

For over 125 years, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York has been a beacon for New Yorkers in their darkest moments. Our charitable and community programs bring free and discounted home care services to poor uninsured homebound seniors; provide assistance to young, low-income, first-time mothers and their babies; ensure that elderly, isolated residents in Chinatown are connected to the resources they need to age in place safely; offer community outreach programs to children and adults struggling with mental illness; and much more.

As a not-for-profit agency, we rely on donations to help us provide the care we’re known for. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, VNSNY is able to change the lives of our underserved neighbors every day. Here are some of their stories.

* Patients’ names have been changed for privacy.

Samuel's Story

Samuel was struggling with his health, isolation, and depression even before the pandemic hit. Susan of VNSNY’s Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI) helped him with his mental health, and served as a sounding board for his wife Vanessa throughout their difficult times.

Jasmine's Story

Nurse-Family Partnership RN Jenn has helped Jasmine navigate key health challenges during and after pregnancy, and keep her twins on track with developmental milestones. “Jenn has been with me every step of the way, guiding and supporting me and helping me get the best care for me and my babies,” says Jasmine.

Carlos's Story

The first thing that Carlos said to Ruth when they met at Harlem Hospital was, “Are you the lady that’s going to help me get home?” “And that’s how the ice broke,” said Ruth, a Nurse Liaison with VNSNY’s HOPE program (Hospice Outreach Patient and Provider Education), who indeed helped Carlos return home after 65 days in two hospitals, suffering from COVID-19 and several chronic illnesses.

Chang's Story

This pandemic year deepened the isolation of many older Chinatown residents, separating them from families, community activities, and regular care for multiple health conditions. VNSNY staff worked to get as many community members vaccinated as possible, to support their ability to connect with loved ones.

Violet's Story

The matriarch of a big family, Violet has spent her life caring for others. Her daughter Denise was distressed to see her mother wither under the strains of pandemic lockdowns and grow essentially immobile, and Denise was determined to get her mother help. That’s where VNSNY Charitable Care stepped in.

An East Elmhurst Family's Story

Oscar* and six of his relatives in one home were positive for COVID-19, after recently losing Oscar’s wife. VNSNY nurse Cidric worked with them all to nurse them back to health and educate them about the disease.

Rafael's Story

When Rafael* was in the final stages of COVID-19, his wife wasn’t sure if she would be able to fulfill their pact of always being there for each other. VNSNY Hospice staff made sure he could take his final breaths with his wife by his side.

Claude's Story

Claude*, a previously healthy young father, spent nearly two months in the hospital with COVID-19, including 20 days critically ill on a ventilator and in kidney failure. Thanks to the doctors and the VNSNY clinicians who visited him at home Claude is back to his active life, playing with the kids and getting out for car rides.

Ashley's Story

Thanks to VNSNY’s Nurse-Family Partnership and the care and assistance of her nurse Lynette, Ashley* was able to access the resources she and her infant son needed to ensure success for them both.

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Ana's Story

Each year, VNSNY provides free or discounted home care to thousands of uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers. VNSNY helped one of these patients, Ana*, get back on her feet after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

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Patient Stories