The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) named Joseph Coughlin, Director, MIT AgeLab, a 2008 Home Healthcare Hero for his research in developing new approaches to home healthcare and related services. His work with his AgeLab colleagues and other research partners across MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, was cited as some of the most innovative in the nation. The VNA described Dr. Coughlin as both an agenda-setter and catalyst that has envisioned the creative application of new technologies to support both patients, families and professionals. These include home health services to support older people managing chronic disease; family caregivers balancing life’s demands and eldercare; and, clinicians as well as the wider home health profession with improving the health outcomes and quality of life of countless older adults.

In addition to Dr. Coughlin, Cleve Killingsworth, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and JudyAnn Bigby, M.D., Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were recognized for their commitment to home healthcare. According to Joanne Handy, President and CEO of the VNA, “as home healthcare nurses, we practice a very personal, and often challenging, aspect of patient care by providing treatment in our patients’ homes, regardless of illness, income or insurance. The level of continuous devotion demonstrated by our heroes -- the police officers, funders, patients, donors, community leaders and advocates who make it possible to provide quality care to nearly 13,000 patients each year -- is unequaled, and we are extremely proud to recognize this years group of distinguished heroes for their devotion to the VNA of Boston and their commitment to home healthcare.”