Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

BlackBaud Security Incident 2020

As a valued supporter and partner of the Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta mission, we wanted to inform you that we were recently notified by Blackbaud, Inc., our third-party vendor, who provides fundraising database management services for nonprofit organizations around the world, including Visiting Nurse Health System (VNHS), that they have discovered and stopped a ransomware attack.

Blackbaud, Inc. reported that they paid the cybercriminal’s demand with confirmation that the information file has been destroyed. After further review by Blackbaud’s Cyber Security team, independent forensics experts and law enforcement, it was determined that prior to locking the cybercriminals out, the attackers were able to remove data from nonprofits, including VNHS, containing donor information.

While a file that contained names and addresses was accessed prior to Blackbaud’s discovery, Blackbaud has assured us that this information was not distributed, and that no personal information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or bank account information was accessed or compromised in this incident.  We have been notified that the file removed may have contained contact and demographic information, and a history of a donor’s relationship with our organization, such as donation dates and amounts.You can read more about Blackbaud’s incident on their webpage: https://www.blackbaud.com/securityincident.

The security of every one of our valued constituents’ data remains of utmost importance to us, and Blackbaud has assured us they have implemented changes to protect the data from subsequent incidents, and they are continuing to monitor any illegal activity involving this incident.

Although there is no action required on your part, in keeping with VNHS’ values of respect and stewardship, we wanted to be abundantly cautious and inform you of this incident that occurred with our vendor, and that we will continue to monitor this situation.

In the meantime, with your continued partnership, Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta remains focused to continuing to fulfill our mission:

To Improve the Lives of Those We Serve

We value our relationship with you, and all that we have accomplished together. If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at advancement@vnhs.org or 404-215-6172.

Thank You,

 

 

Dorothy M. Davis

President and CEO

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Visiting Nurse celebrated our Home Health Physical Therapists this week in recognition of PT Appreciation Month!
For more than 78 years, we’ve served Atlanta, helping patients regain strength, improve mobility and maintain independence at home. We are grateful to our PTs for the skill, compassion and dedication they bring to our patients every day.
To all of our PTs/PTAs, thank you for the work you do, the lives you touch and the difference you make for Visiting Nurse and the families we serve!
#ptappreciationmonth#homehealthcare#physicaltherapy#visitingnursehealthsystem #agingathome

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The hidden caregiving crisis is a workforce issue, and a critical part of the ongoing conversation about the future of aging at home.
We’d like to thank everyone who joined us today for the Visiting Nurse Healthcare Champions Event: Leadership Conversations That Drive Change, hosted by Genuine Parts Company. 
A special thank-you to Genuine Parts Company’s Renay Blumenthal, Sr. Director, Corporate Giving & Community Relations, for leading the day’s event with a warm welcome, and kicking off the day’s amazing line up of speakers.
Honored to have this event moderated by Crystal Edmonson of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, we are very grateful for our panelists for sharing their leadership expertise and perspectives on the growing demands facing working family caregivers and how employers can help support them:
• Rachel Cannady, Senior Associate Director, Caregiving, The Carter Center
 • Keisha Olinger, Region Leader, Marsh People and Investments, Mid-South
 • Eric Barker, Analyst, Senior Health & Welfare, Southern Company
Thank you to our own President and CEO, Dorothy Davis, for speaking today, and continuing to bring community leaders together to keep this important conversation going, critical to addressing the future of healthcare in our communities. At Visiting Nurse, we see firsthand how family caregivers help older adults remain safe, comfortable and independent at home. Yet balancing caregiving responsibilities with work and family life can create significant challenges for our own employees, employers and families.
Supporting caregivers is essential to helping seniors age with dignity in the place they call home. By bringing business and community leaders together, we can raise awareness, explore meaningful workplace solutions and strengthen the support systems families need. Because caring for those who care for others matters, too.
Thank you to Genuine Parts Company for hosting this important conversation and Huntington Bank for sponsoring our Healthcare Champions series. Together, we can help build healthier workplaces, stronger families and more supportive communities for Georgia’s aging population.

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The future of aging at home starts with all of us!
Grateful our Healthcare Champions, with the generous support of event sponsor Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, brought together key community leaders, partners and distinguished guests for an important conversation about the future of healthcare and aging in Georgia.

Lead by nationally-recognized healthcare attorney Bill A. Dombi, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (AGG), and Visiting Nurse President and CEO Dorothy Davis, this important conversation investigated how healthcare, business, philanthropy and public policy can work together to strengthen the infrastructure, innovation and partnerships that help Georgians age safely, independently and with dignity at home. Including Georgia's healthcare community leaders, changemakers and valued community partners in attendance, the room was filled with people committed to shaping what comes next.

Thank you to all of our guests who joined the conversation, with a very special thank you to Bill Dombi for leading the day's event. Thank you to our host Arnall Golden Gregory LLP for sponsoring this important event. 

#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareChampions #AgingAtHome #HealthcareLeadership #GeorgiaHealthcare #HospiceCare

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Happy National Case Management Week!
And a little appreciation goes a long way, as Phillip Walters, of Hospice Atlanta, made life a little sweeter joining Northside Hospital’s Case Management Vendor Event! Sharing important resources and information on critical care, a great time was had celebrating these dedicated case managers who make a difference for patients and families every day.

Thank you for all you do, and a shout out to our local Scrumpt bakery for helping make their special week even sweeter! #NationalCaseManagementWeek #HospiceAtlanta

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First in Georgia!
Visiting Nurse is proud to announce that our HeartCare at Home™ program is the first home health program in Georgia certified by the American Heart Association® for Home Health–Heart Failure care.
Because heart failure care doesn’t stop when a patient leaves the hospital. This certification reflects our commitment to evidence-based, high-quality care and our dedicated clinicians who bring specialized heart failure support directly to patients where they are most comfortable, in the place they call home. 

After 78 years, we’re proud to continue advancing care at home. ❤️

#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HeartCareAtHome #HeartFailure #HomeHealth #AmericanHeartAssociation

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We are so grateful for our volunteers who give their time, compassion and heart to serve our patients and families in need.
What a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact a caring volunteer can make through companionship, connection and simply being present.
Thank you to our volunteers for the meaningful difference you make for our patients and families every day.

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Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta was proud to celebrate National Assisted Living Week all month long, with celebrations honoring the national theme “Shining Through the Years.”

We enjoyed celebrating with the residents and team at Brookdale Carrollton, GA, honoring the lives, stories and connections that make every year meaningful. (pictured below)

#NationalAssistedLivingWeek #ShiningThroughTheYears #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #BrookdaleCarrollton #SeniorCare #CommunityCare

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🌟Congratulations to our Employee of the Month! 🌟

Please join us in celebrating our Hospice Atlanta Nurse Tasha for her dedication, hard work and commitment to our Hospice Atlanta patients and families. We thank you for all you do for our patients, families and team!

👏 Congratulations, Tasha!

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Team Hospice Atlanta proudly participated in this year's Kaiser Permanente’s Run, Walk & Roll 5K! As a valued healthcare partner, we are grateful for the opportunity to join forces and come together to support health, wellness and a healthier community.

Thank you to everyone who represented Hospice Atlanta and Visiting Nurse Health System. We are proud to support events that bring our healthcare partners and community together to in health!

#HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #KaiserPermanente #RunWalkAndRoll #CommunityHealth #HealthAndWellness #HealthyCommunity #AtlantaCommunity #HealthcarePartners

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