Gil Simmons and Renee DiNino to Co-Host VNA of South Central CT’s Nightingale Awards

New Haven (February 15, 2013) – John R. Quinn, President & CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut (VNA/SCC), recently announced that Gil Simmons, WTNH-8 Meteorologist and Renee DiNino of Clear Channel Radio will emcee the 2013 Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing.  Other leadership at the event, which will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven, includes Honorary Co-Chairs Kiki and Ted Kennedy, Jr.

The Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing program was originally developed by the VNA/SCC to be a collaborative effort to celebrate outstanding nurses and elevate the nursing profession. The goals of the program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.

This will be the fourth year that Simmons and DiNino will have co-hosted the event.  “Gil and Renee are not only entertaining emcees, but also, enthusiastic advocates for the nursing profession and the Nightingale Awards program,” says VNA/SCC President & CEO John Quinn,   “we are very happy that they will again be lending their voices to this important event.” 

For more information about the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing, including sponsorship information and how to purchase tickets, visit the Nightingale website at www.nightingalenursingawards.org/newhaven/ or call the Nightingale hotline at 203-859-6765.

To make a contribution to the VNA/SCC in support of this important event, please contact Lindsey Christiani, Community Development Specialist, at 203-859-6054.  You can also donate online at www.razoo.com/story/Vna-Of-South-Central-Ct.

About VNA Health Systems
VNA Health Systems is comprised of the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut (VNA/SCC) and CareSource, Inc.

Founded in 1904, the VNA/SCC, which is the original VNA of New Haven, Milford and the Valley, is a state licensed, non-profit, community-based home health care agency.  The VNA/SCC staff consists of highly skilled nurses, therapists, medical social workers and home health aides.  A vital resource to the communities it serves, the VNA/SCC provides a wide range of specialized clinical services, community programs, the Nurturing Families Network and subsidized care, through United Way funding, to those who are in need.  The agency employs over 230 staff members, has an average daily census of over 1,000 patients and makes over 170,000 home visits per year. The agency is the founder of the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing. The VNA/SCC is supported in part by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, local United Way organizations, corporate sponsors and individual donors. To learn more about the VNA/SCC visit www.vnascc.org.

CareSource strives to maximize the quality of life for its clients and their caregivers in the home and health care settings. Their services include homemakers, companions and live-in aides. To learn more about CareSource visit www.caresourceinc.org.