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November 14, 2007

(SYRACUSE, NY) - Hundreds of people were on hand at the Palace Theatre to help VNA Systems, Inc. celebrate National Home Care month. The celebration included an unveiling of a new “Keys to Quality Care” program that includes new fleet of agency vehicles. VNA Systems, Inc. (which includes Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc., Independent Health Care Services, Inc. and CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Inc.) received numerous accolades from dignitaries including New York State Senator John A. DeFrancisco; New York State Assemblywoman Joan K. Christensen; County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro; Amanda Nestor, Public Health Administrator for the Onondaga County Health Department; Thomas A. Bersani, M.D., President of the Onondaga County Medical Society; and Phyllis Wang, President of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc. Additionally, United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was represented by Mr. Jay Biba, United States Congressman James T. Walsh was represented by Mr. Brian Baluta, and Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll was represented by Mr. Dennis Brogan. The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Community Ambassadors designated VNA Systems, Inc. an “Economic Champion” of Central New York. November was also declared Home Care Month in New York State, Onondaga County and in the City of Syracuse. In addition, on behalf of the New York State Assembly, the Honorable Joan Christensen gave a citation “to recognize their services and the new “Keys to Quality Care” program."

The heart of the “Keys to Quality Care” program is the system-wide pledge to provide the utmost in home health care by being: (1) Respectful, (2) Caring, (3) Competent, (4) Reliable, and (5) Ethical in all actions. As part of the program, a fleet of agency vehicles has been made available to eligible clinical staff, the first home care organization in Central New York to do so.

Regarding the event, VNA Systems, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Indi L. Shelby said, “All of us are deeply honored by the presence of all the leaders who generously took the time to attend today’s celebration — the support we have received at the federal, state and local levels is incredible and we are overwhelmed by the accolades received for our new “Keys to Quality Care” program, our commitment to be the best in the home care field. One of the first ways we are demonstrating this commitment is by being the first home care agency in the region to have a fleet of vehicles available for our clinical staff. Our motives in doing so are simple: the vehicles will enable our clinical staff to better serve our patients and also serve as an important benefit to the staff, a benefit that shows our appreciation for their commitment to our system. We also hope this offering will aid in attracting and retaining superior personnel. More than anything, the presence of our distinguished guests was an illustration of their belief in home care and the significance of its place in our nation's health care delivery sysem. It’s been a fantastic day and I am delighted that our staff from all three of our agencies (VNA, IHCS and CCH) took the opportunity to come together and celebrate this momentous occasion — it’s the first time this has happened in the 117-year history of the VNA.”

About VNA Systems, Inc.
Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. was founded in 1890 by Dr. Juliet Hanchett, M.D., Laura Mills Marlow, R.N. (the first graduated nurse in the city of Syracuse), and Aria Huntington. Today, VNA Systems, Inc., which includes Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc., Independent Health Care Services, Inc., and affiliate agency CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Inc., employs nearly 300 people, and cares for more than four thousand patients. The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. was named to the 2006 HomeCare Elite, the inaugural compilation of the most successful Medicare-certified agencies whose performance measures in quality, improvement and financial performance are among the top 25% of providers nationwide. For more information, please visit www.vnacny.org.

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