CENTURY-OLD VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ST. LOUIS (VNA) APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis (VNA) has named Nesa Joseph, Ed.D., as president and CEO to lead the 102-year-old not-for-profit organization in its new strategic plan and mission to provide a coordinated continuum of care to terminally ill patients and their families that promotes independence and dignity. Joseph succeeds Judy Alexander-Weber, who recently stepped down as president and CEO for health reasons; Alexander-Weber will assume the role of vice president of business development. 

Throughout its history, VNA has evolved to meet the changing needs of the region — from its origins in maternity, infant and postpartum care to vaccinations and general home health services for chronic illnesses, to its current focus on quality and compassionate hospice care. The organization’s strategic plan supports and elevates the role of hospice services in the era of post-reform health care.

“We’re excited to welcome Nesa — and his healthcare expertise, drive for excellence, and strong financial and leadership skills — to VNA. He and Judy will make a powerful team,” said VNA Board Chair Larry LeGrand. “VNA’s strategic plan positions the organization as a key resource and community partner in the continuum of patient care. Our team’s strength in creating successful community partnerships is especially important in the new era of healthcare reform, which calls for collaboration to better serve patients and improve quality outcomes.” 

Joseph has served in senior management positions with hospitals throughout the United States and India for more than 25 years, including serving as executive director of The St. Louis Medical Group, CEO of the Manipal Group of Hospitals, Bangalore, India, and vice president of Deaconess Incarnate Word Health System. Prior to joining VNA, he served as vice president of Deaconess Foundation, a grant making healthcare foundation in St. Louis.

“I am delighted to step into this position with such a clinically strong organization and am deeply committed to building partnerships with patients, families and community resources,” said Joseph. “I look forward to working with our dedicated staff — especially the continued support, guidance and partnership of Judy Alexander-Weber — as we play an important role in improving quality while reducing costs within the broader healthcare system.”

About Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis

Since 1911, Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis (VNA) has been serving the healthcare needs of people in the St. Louis region through home-based care as St. Louis' oldest and only nonprofit, community-based visiting nurse agency.

Today, VNA provides compassionate hospice care with a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their family members. By serving as a care coordinator for a patient’s hospice team, VNA ensures patients and their loved ones receive all the medical care, comfort and compassion they need during their end-of-life transition. VNA’s hospice services are covered under Medicare, Medicaid and most health plans. For more information, visit www.vnastl.com.

VNA is affiliated with the Visiting Nurse Association of America — a national association that supports, promotes and advocates for nonprofit home health, hospice and palliative care, and health promotion services to ensure quality care throughout the nation.