SALISBURY – This month, in between seeing patients, coordinating with caregivers and managing caseloads with local hospitals, award-winning home care company Peninsula Home Care (PHC) will celebrate a major milestone — 30 years of service on the Lower Shore.
“Thirty years is a very important anniversary for us,” said Nancy Bagwell, Branch Manager for PHC in Maryland. “So many people have placed their health care in our hands; it is both a gratifying and a humbling experience to be responsible for a patient’s care in their own home. We are thankful to be the choice of so many patients, their families and their doctors, and we are working hard to continue to provide the best care available – here or anywhere.”
Home grown and locally operated, the company, founded in 1985, started as Peninsula Regional Home Care. Through the years, the agency has helped more than 42,000 patients recover from illness and injury, surgery and stroke. PHC’s practice includes skilled nursing and medical social work; physical, occupational and speech therapy; and certified nursing assistants and home health aides.
Congratulations have begun pouring in to Peninsula from local, state and federal sources. To start the month, Tuesday, March 3 was proclaimed “Peninsula Home Care Day” in Wicomico County by the Wicomico County Council. On Tuesday, March 10, Peninsula Home Care received 30th Anniversary proclamations from the Sussex and Somerset County councils. Additional announcements will be made as further recognitions are received.
In recognition of the milestone, Peninsula has completely renovated its website, which can be found at www.peninsulahomecare.com. The site provides access to healthcare resources, educational materials and the full scope of skilled services provided by Peninsula Home Care.
The new “Live Well” section is packed with resources and information for patients, caregivers, physicians and medical practices. Content includes information, checklists and resources on a wide range of topics, from cancer to heart conditions, immunizations for the elderly to stroke awareness. A new calendar showcases health fairs, seminars for seniors and other health-related activities on the peninsula.
“As we developed the website, it was exciting to review the scope of services we provide and continue to expand to our patients on Delmarva,” said Nancy Bagwell, Branch Manager for PHC in Maryland. “It really put things into perspective because it offered an opportunity to look back at our successes and plan ahead for the years to come.”
Peninsulahomecare.com also offers information about the company, its team of leaders, new technologies, insight on Maryland Delaware health systems, Medicare and insurance. Visitors will also find resources for physicians and caregivers and employment opportunities within the company. Numerous testimonials, from patients, staff and caregivers attest the company’s impact on the health of the community they serve.
PHC has two offices in Maryland (Salisbury and Ocean Pines) and one in Delaware (Seaford.) The company employs 50 people on staff in Maryland and 21 employees in Delaware.
That’s in stark contrast to when the company began 30 years ago as Atlantic Visiting Nurses Association (AVNA). The small start-up had a single office and a handful of staff. Known for its homegrown approach of “neighbor serving neighbor,” AVNA was purchased by Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in 1999. After assimilating the business, PRMC sought a partner that could lead home health care in the new millennium. In 2004, PHC became a joint venture between Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and CHMG Solutions of North Carolina.
Carol West, vice president of Home Health for CHMG, recalls that, “from the beginning there was something special about the people of PHC. Everyone was dedicated to remaining on the cutting edge of home health care without losing our commitment to providing highly personalized service. It’s been a unique and satisfying partnership.”