History | Croí Health

History of Croí Health

Croí first opened its doors in 1920—car doors, that is. The mission of one single nurse traveling around the town of Norwell to visit homebound patients in the wake of the flu pandemic has traversed an entire century.

It is now a vibrant organization bringing compassionate care to the region. Our future involves the highest level of care in all our disciplines: nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides, social work, and spiritual care.

1920

Amy Sylvester founds the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association.

As the only nurse serving the town of Norwell, she sells pies at the Marshfield Fair to help raise funds.

Norwell residents paid $5 per year for visiting nurse services.

1920

1923

Nurse Catherine Roe is hired as a school and community nurse and will serve for more than 50 years until 1975.

A nursing visit costs 50 cents around this time.

1923

1933

The future site of the
Pat Roche Hospice Home is built atop Turkey Hill in Hingham by the Thayer Family, serving as their summer home.

1933

1950s

Physical therapy services are added.

Nurses give the Salk polio vaccine in 1956.

The fee for a nursing visit increases to $1.

1950s

1992

Outgrowing the room in Norwell Town Hall that served as an office, the organization moves into larger quarters at Cushing Memorial Hall.

Some 87% of patients are 65 and older.

The first computer records system is installed.

1992

1997

The federal Balanced Budget Act cuts funding. Many agencies close and eight VNAs serving 23 South Shore towns merge into the Affiliated Community Visiting Nurse Association.

The Norwell Visiting Nurse Association decides not to merge and instead remains independent, partnering with a physicians group.

1997

1999

The Norwell Visting Nurse Association moves to a new location on Main Street and expands geographic territory to accommodate closure of Quincy Visting Nurse Association and growth in admissions.

The organization reports its surplus shrank from $246,000 in 1997 to $64,000 in 1998 because of cuts in home health care for Medicare patients.

1999

2001

The organization moves again to meet planned growth of business and team.

An innovative program counseling diabetic patients via the Internet begins; other telemedicine programs follow.

2001

2008

To acknowledge the recent addition of hospice services, the organization changes its name to NVNA and Hospice, covering 19 towns and employing 150 full and part-time workers, including 50 nurses.

2008

2012

NVNA and Hospice partners with Ralph and Kathy Tedeschi’s Campus of Caring to purchase the New England Friends Home in Hingham for a hospice home.

2012

2015

NVNA and Hospice launches a new palliative care service for people living with serious illness.

The first annual The 12 event is held indoors at The Pat Roche Hospice Home, raising $70,000 for hospice care.

The organization is named as one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe and The Women’s Edge for the first time.

2015

2016

CEO Meg Doherty retires after serving in the role for nearly 30 years; Renee McInnes becomes the new CEO and executive director after serving as Vice President and Business Director and a long career as a front-line nurse.

A secondary office is opened at the Pinehills in Plymouth.

The organization’s first comprehensive philanthropic platform is established.

2016

2018

The Wall of Remembrance is installed at the Pat Roche Hospice Home and the first annual event is held in recognition of the names added.

2018

2019

The Gerry Sanderson Education Fund is established by a grateful family, going on to provide hundreds of employees with certifications, degrees, and other educational advancements.

2019

2020

NVNA and Hospice celebrates 100 years.

The organization meets the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic without missing a day of care.

The Grace Campaign is launched as the organization’s first capital campaign, ultimately raising a record $6.4 million for patient care.

CEO Renee McInnes is named Chair of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

2020

2021

Clinicians join the Town of Norwell in providing doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to homebound and vulnerable community members.

2021

2024

CEO Renee McInnes is elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, working to expand patient care access across the state and implement strategic policy.

The 10th annual The 12 event is held with 600 guests under the tent at The Pat Roche Hospice Home, raising more than $600,000 for hospice care.

2024

2025

NVNA and Hospice rebrands as Croí Health, updating the agency’s name to better reflect the scope of the service area and clinical platform.

With 400 employees, the organization maintains a daily census of 1,200 patients, provides more than 200,000 patient visits per year, and receives five-star patient experience ratings in a record three categories with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The Croí Health Charitable Fund has raised more than $34 million to date.

Voices: The Campaign for Patient Care Access enters its public phase, seeking to raise $20 million for hospice and palliative care.

Renovations to the Pat Roche Hospice Home are completed, adding two additional patient rooms, offices, and storage space.

2025