Nancy Roberts, president and CEO of VNA of Care New England, has earned the Dick Anderton Memorial Mentor of the Year Award. She was recognized as a leader who possesses passion for her profession and her tireless commitment to advancing the public health needs of both Rhode Islanders and communities across the country. She has chaired the Visiting Nurse Association of America’s board of directors for the past three years.
PBN: When did you enter the profession, and what interests you about it?
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ROBERTS: I launched my career in Boston hospitals in the mid 1970s. I wanted to make a difference for those in need, especially vulnerable families with children. In 1982, I came to Kent County Visiting Nurse Association, now VNA of Care New England, as a home visiting nurse and became interested in public health and the role that home health care can play in the overall health status of individuals. While much has changed over the past 25 years, there is still an incredible need for a strong public health function in Rhode Island, and for home and community-based programs to serve the unique needs of all.
PBN: What do you see as some of the public health needs of Rhode Islanders?
ROBERTS: The number of uninsured and underinsured Rhode Islanders continues to rise. Health insurance has become so costly that many small businesses in Rhode Island cannot afford to insure their employees. Additionally, the elderly population of our state continues growing at an unprecedented rate – over 225,000 Rhode Islanders are over the age of 65, and there are not enough specially trained professionals in geriatric medicine to care for our greatest generation.
PBN: How might these issues be addressed?
ROBERTS: One of the advantages about living in a state our size is that you can get things done. Recently, the governor formed the Community Hospital Task Force to examine why our community hospitals continue to lose money. Bringing together some of the top minds in our state to identify the problems and find solutions is the first step toward addressing some of the toughest public health issues we are facing.
