Brockton Visiting Nurse Association

03/18/2026

Not all heroes wear capes!

At Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice we would like to formally acknowledge and commend our Hospice Nurse, Kaitlyn, for her outstanding contributions in admitting a patient to our services, despite severe weather conditions and unexpected barriers that confronted her. Her dedication, initiative, and willingness to go above and beyond expectations to care for her patient, played a significant role in the success of providing this patient and his loved ones, comfort in his final moments.

Kaitlyn had just returned from vacation in time for a blizzard that began on Sunday, February 22, 2026. By Wednesday of that week, her street was barely plowed and they were still digging out of their driveway. She had a few visits to complete, but more importantly the admission of a young gentleman, who was in pain and was suffering due to his illness. As she was preparing to venture out to see her patients, a home down the street from her blew up and caught fire. Kaitlyn then discovered her husband's vehicle had a flat tire, and was blocking the driveway. She had no way to get out to see her patients.

After calling her patients to check on them and their needs, as well as explaining her situation, she ventured out on foot to her patient’s home to begin the admission. Kaitlyn spent time with the family, educating them, providing comfort and emotional support. She also ensured the gentlemen was comfortable, and with his pain now managed, she assisted his family in encouraging them to spend time with him, talking and reminiscing. Kaitlyn spent the next two hours with this family before walking back home. She returned the next day to pronounce this gentleman, as he passed peacefully in the afternoon. The family was so very appreciative and grateful for all she had done.

Kaitlyn’s tremendous efforts demonstrated exceptional professionalism and commitment to excellence. Because of her hard work, the family was able to spend quality time with this patient, without pain, anxiety or restlessness, before he passed.

Kaitlyn’s actions reflect the high standards and values we strive to uphold within our organization. Contributions like hers strengthen our team and help move our mission forward.

Thank you, Kaitlyn, for your continued dedication and for consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and positive attitude. Your efforts are truly appreciated and we are beyond grateful to have you on our team.

We are proud to present you as being named this month’s Shining Star Award recipient. Kaitlyn is shown in the photo with Michael Lyons, our President/CEO.
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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.
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02/06/2026

Brockton Visiting Nurse Association Home Care and Hospice was pleased to participate in this month's community initiative of Wrapping Brockton in Love that was organized by our Hospice Chaplain, Louis Lemieux.

For the past ten years, Louis Lemieux has been organizing Wrapping Brockton in Love with his wife, Janis. They collect scarves throughout January and early February and then place them throughout the city for those that could benefit from some warmth. They collect handmade scarves, newly purchased scarves and gently-used scarves. The scarves will be placed around the city on February 14th. Scarves will be placed in zip-lock bags with a string to be hung in locations throughout the city.

Below is a photo of Louis Lemieux, Hospice Chaplain (left) and Michael Lyons, CEO (right) with the incredible scarf donations made by employees at Brockton Visiting Nurse Association Home Care and Hospice.

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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.

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12/10/2025

Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie Zarrella, BSN, RN as our new Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN RN), effective January 5, 2026. Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice is excited to add this strategic member to our clinical team, which underscores our commitment to providing specialized, high-quality care to our patients with complex needs.

In this new role, Laurie Zarrella will serve as a clinical leader to provide expert recommendations for the treatment of complex wounds, while offering consulting services for patients requiring stoma site selection, and delivering essential pre-operative and post-operative ostomy education. Ms. Zarrella’s specialized expertise is crucial in helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their overall well-being.

Laurie Zarrella holds the prestigious WOCN certification from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB®), the gold standard in the field. Ms. Zarrella brings twenty-seven years of experience in home health, acute care and chronic care and a proven track record of improving patient outcomes as a prior Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN RN).

"We are thrilled to congratulate Laurie Zarrella on her new role," said Michael Lyons, President/CEO. Laurie’s specialized knowledge and dedication to excellence in managing complex wounds, stomas and continence issues will significantly benefit our patients and enhance our ability to manage chronic conditions effectively. This hiring is a testament to our ongoing investment in providing top-tier talent and specialized care throughout our community in serving Brockton, Massachusetts as well as thirty towns in Southeastern Massachusetts."

Laurie Zarrella earned her WOCN certification in 2018, her WCC certification in 2005, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Columbia Southern University in 2014 and her Associate of Science in Nursing from the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing in 1996. Ms. Zarrella is an active member of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), the largest professional nursing community dedicated to advancing this specialty. Laurie Zarrella will report to our Vice President of Clinical Services, Matthew Smith, BSN, RN, WCC, CHPN, CHHPO.
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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.

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11/26/2025

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and take a moment to recognize our blessings, we are grateful for our incredible employees and the exceptional home care and hospice care they provide to our patients in Brockton and 30 surrounding communities in Southeastern Massachusetts.

A special thank you to our President/CEO, Michael Lyons, for generously providing Thanksgiving dinners today to many families in need; and to our staff who graciously volunteered to deliver a delicious hot meal to our patients.

We wish our community a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food and in the company of loved ones.

From our family at Brockton Visiting Nurse Association Home Care and Hospice to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

11/12/2025

We are pleased to announce our October 2025 Shining Star Award was presented this morning to Danielle, our incredible Physical Therapist.

Danielle was nominated for her heroic efforts in going above and beyond to save her patient’s life. Her dedication for her patients resonates how compassionate she is in providing the best possible care. Her responsiveness to the patient and follow-up with the family members, made her return to the home a second time to check on the patient's well-being when she initially could not enter the home. Her concern and follow-up to return to the patient's home again, ultimately saved the patient's life.

Danielle is recognized for outstanding achievement in the following values categories that include:

- Teamwork
- Excellence
- Compassion
- Community

Danielle truly epitomizes the meaning of an extraordinary clinician and we are so grateful to have her on our team. Thank you, Danielle, for your heroic efforts in saving a patient’s life. Danielle is truly a testament that true heroes don’t always wear capes!

Congratulations, Danielle, on your heroic efforts, seen with our President/CEO, Michael Lyons.

11/11/2025

Today marks the annual observance of Veterans Day, and the date marks the anniversary of Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth and Veterans Day in the United States, is recognized each year on November 11th to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War 1, which went into effect at 11:00 a.m. on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans who have served in all wars.

Veterans Day is a day for honoring all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and today we honor all veterans, including our own Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice employees who are veterans, and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

We thank you for your service and sacrifice.

11/10/2025

Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice yesterday held our Annual Hospice Service of Remembrance at Thorny Lea Golf Club. We were honored to host this important service with an afternoon of reflection and remembrance to honor our hospice patients we've had the privilege to care for during their hospice journey.

The heartfelt stories from our hospice staff, volunteers and family members resonated how truly important hospice care is for both the patient and families during their hospice journey.

Guests were welcomed by Michael Lyons, President/CEO; provided a Hospice Reflection by Dr. Christopher Joncas, Medical Director; a Hospice Journey by Matthew Smith - Vice President of Clinical Services and blessings by our Hospice Chaplains, Deborah Dean and Louis Lemieux. Our Hospice LPN, Peggy Huntley and our Social Worker, Danielle Lucca, provided perspectives on Why Hospice Matters. Guests were entertained with a beautiful musical arrangement provided by Janis Lemieux and Dr. Christopher Joncas.

We are grateful for this opportunity to celebrate and honor your loved one's life with this celebration.

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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.

11/06/2025

11/05/2025

Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice is pleased to announce that it has appointed Maria Johnson, MBA, BBA, as its new Director of Finance, effective October 21, 2025.

In this role, Maria Johnson will be responsible for leading Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice’s financial strategy, overseeing financial operations and driving sustainable long-term growth. With over twenty-five years of progressive experience in financial management, Maria Johnson, most recently served as the Director of Finance at South Shore Hospital, where she was responsible for financial operations for their Urgent Care and Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).

"We are excited that Maria’s extensive financial experience and strategic vision will be a tremendous asset to our Agency and allow the Agency to drive financial strategy, performance analysis, while partnering with operational leaders to improve decision-making" said Michael Lyons, President/CEO.

Maria received her MBA in Management Information Systems at the University of Alaska Southeast and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Maria Johnson will report to our President/CEO, Michael Lyons and supervise our Accounting Manager and Revenue Manager.

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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.

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10/31/2025

Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice is pleased to announce it has recently appointed Christopher Joncas, MD, CMD, as its new Medical Director of Hospice & Palliative Care.

Dr. Joncas was previously the Medical Director for Accent Care Home Health, Steward Hospice/Accent Care and Amedisys Hospice. Dr. Joncas is Board-Certified in Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine and in Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Directors Association, with the distinction of being a Certified Medical Director.

In the role of Medical Director, Dr. Joncas will oversee the medical component of hospice care, focusing on leadership, patient care and quality assurance. Dr. Joncas has extensive experience and compassion working with patients and their families as they navigate end-of-life services.

Dr Joncas is a graduate of the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Dr. Joncas to our leadership team”, said Michael Lyons, President/CEO of Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice. “Dr. Joncas’ expertise in hospice and palliative care, coupled with his dedication to improving patient outcomes and passion for our mission, aligns perfectly with our values. We are confident that with Dr. Joncas’ leadership, we will enhance our services and expand access to the exceptional care our patients deserve.”

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About Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice: Established in 1904, Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Health and Hospice is a Medicare-certified, private, non-profit organization and is one of the largest freestanding visiting nurse associations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families.

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10/28/2025

Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice is pleased to announce that it has appointed Louise Carpenter, RN, as its new Director of Hospice & Palliative Care, effective October 20, 2025.

In this role, Louise Carpenter will be responsible for the management and oversight of the hospice team at Brockton Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice. Louise possesses vast knowledge of hospice including her most recent position as a Clinical Manager at Accent Care Hospice and prior experience at Kindred Hospice.

We are excited that Louise’s extensive hospice experience and strategic vision will be a tremendous asset to our Agency and aligns with our mission and vision to provide exceptional, quality of care to our patients.

Welcome, Louise, we are grateful to have you on our team.

09/12/2025

Brockton VNA & Hospice hosted a Chili Contest Cookoff this afternoon with some incredible chili recipes that our employees prepared. Categories included The Hot Pepper Chili, The Most Unusual Chili and The Tastes Like Home Chili.

Our judges included Michael Lyons, our President and CEO and Deborah, our Hospice Chaplain.

Our chili winners included:

The Hot Pepper Chili - Jessica - Managed Care Coordinator
The Tastes Like Home Chili - Louis -- Hospice Chaplain
The Most Unusual Chili - Melinda -- Team Coordinator

Thank you to our judges and a special thank you to all of our employees who brought in delicious chili and our other employees who brought in desserts and wonderful accompaniments.