News : Melissa Smith named new VGH Director of Home Health

Melissa Smith, RN is the new VGH Home Health Director.

Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics is pleased to announce Melissa Smith, RN as the new Director of Home Health and Public Health.

Melissa has been interested in healthcare for many years. She said, “I’ve always been a caretaker since a young age. My grandmother was a labor and delivery nurse, and I always knew that’s what I wanted to do.” After graduating from Vinton-Shellsburg High School she went to Mount Mercy College and in 2006 earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Since then, she’s held positions as a labor and delivery nurse and as a certified diabetes educator with Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids before coming back home to work for VGH’s Home Health Agency.

“Melissa Smith joined Virginia Gay Hospital’s Home Health Agency in 2013 and quickly made a great impression,” said Mike Riege, CEO “and we are very pleased to have her take on these important leadership roles.”

She feels strongly about home healthcare, stating “Providing services in-home allow us to build meaningful relationships with our clients, where we have the opportunity to impact them and their families in extraordinary ways. Everyone should have a safe home life, with comfort, independence, and dignity. Our services focus on maintaining and improving our client’s quality of life by empowering them to feel comfortable, safe and live more independently in their home.”

There are many reasons why people may need healthcare at home. Some are recovering from surgery or may have a chronic condition requiring ongoing care. Others need therapies or assistance with activities of daily living. Melissa said, “Many of our clients want to remain in their own homes, surrounded by family and friends because ‘there is no place like home!’” The VGH Home Health Agency has been a certified Medicare service provider since 1975.

VGH Home Health Facts:
52,633 – total client visits in past 5 years
50,000+ – hours of direct care to those in need during past 5 years
13 – total number of Home Health Staff (4 RN’s, 6 Aides, 2 Office Staff, 1 Director)

Smith balances her role as Home Health Director with duties as Public Health Director. As the Public Health Director she is involved with a wide variety of projects for Benton County Public Health. She said, “I’m involved in a lot of community initiatives (e.g., Above the Influence program), emergency preparedness, immunization audits, flu vaccines, blood pressure clinics, disease investigations, and even Ebola preparedness.”

Her mission is clear: “I’d like for our community to better understand the role of Home Health and for us to become known for not only for providing exceptional ‘in-home’ healthcare, but also to become a valued resource for our community,” said Smith.

“I’m excited for opportunity. There is a lot that can be done to help our community and I’m excited for the future of Home Health and Public Health, said Melissa, “I have the motivation, an incredibly supportive, talented and caring staff, and the support from management.”

Melissa Smith, RN is happy to be back in her hometown of Vinton. Married to Cody (originally from Ida Grove, IA) for the past six years, they have two boys, Carter (almost 4 years old) and Brady (1 yr); and they have two pets, a dog named Mazie and a cat named Mr. Cat.