Vna Home & Hospice
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
VNA Home Health & Hospice d/b/a Northern Light Home Care & Hospice provides clinically excellent, compassionate home health and hospice care to individuals and families
- Income
- $43.0 million
- Spending
- $51.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 609
- Volunteers
- 127
- Highest pay
- $2.0 million, ex-officio
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 181% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $49.1 million spent. Please see the following excerpt from the Northern Light Health Annual Report 2024 to the Community for details of community benefit projects at NLH members:Thinking Globally, Acting LocallyAs we reflect on the past year at Northern Light Health, we are reminded of our responsibility to deliver exceptional care while adapting to and rising up to meet our challenges. This years annual report theme, thinking globally, acting locally, demonstrates how we remain focused on our promise of making healthcare work for Maine people. In this 2024 annual report, we share many remarkable stories. You will read about how we eliminated a common operating room gas out of concern for our environment, how mobile mammography brings services to rural areas, how a youth summit addresses mental health challenges, a patients journey through gender-affirming voice therapy, and one familys experience of becoming caregivers.These stories highlight our promise to meet local needs while contributing to global solutions. Weve persevered, strengthened services, and stayed true to promise.Thank you for your trust, partnership, and support as we navigate this journey together.Timothy J. Dentry, MBA, President & CEO Northern Light Health John Ryan Board Chair Northern Light HealthMember MapBangor Northern Light Acadia Hospital Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical CenterNorthern Light Health Foundation Northern Light Home Care & Hospice Northern Light Pharmacy Northern Light Work Health Northern Light Work ForceBrewer Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Northern Light Health Home Office Northern Light Pharmacy Pittsfield Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital Northern Light Work HealthWaterville Northern Light Home Care & Hospice Northern Light Inland Hospital Northern Light Work HealthEllsworth Northern Light Home Care & Hospice Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital Northern Light Work HealthBlue Hill Northern Light Blue Hill HospitalPortlandNorthern Light Home Care & Hospice Northern Light Laboratory Northern Light Mercy Hospital Northern Light Pharmacy Northern Light Healthy Life EAP Northern Light Work HealthPresque Isle Northern Light AR Gould Hospital Northern Light Home Care & HospiceNorthern Light Work HealthGreenville Northern Light CA Dean HospitalDover Foxcroft Northern Light Mayo Hospital Northern Light Work HealthYouth Mental HealthDont dance around the issueThe needs of teen mental health have reached alarming levels in Maine, and a group of passionate student volunteers at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has responded. The Youth Mental Health Summit was established to provide tools, support, and the understanding necessary to better navigate the complexities of adolescent mental health.Stella Fox, a student volunteer manager and senior at Hampden Academy, says she had her own journey with mental health. Im a pretty busy person. I am someone who, if Im not busy, I try to find things to make my life busier, she laughs, describing her packed schedule.As part of that busy life, Fox struggles with the internal pressures of being a teenager, especially in the demanding world of dance. There is a lot of pressure in dance about a certain look youre supposed to have, she adds, Obviously, thats tough for anybody to hear. But when youre going through your teen years, youre facing a lot of other pressures and challenges. Fox and her fellow student manager and student at John Bapst, Ada Sinclair-Steele, are passionate about making a difference. Each year, high school students who participate in the volunteer program at the medical center work on a passion project for a cause that they choose. In 2024, the group chose youth mental health."I really didnt know that much about mental health when we started, Fox admits, But as we brainstormed and discussed different ideas, I realized how crucial it was to create a space where teens could learn how to take care of their mental health.Stacey Coventry, the director of community engagement at Eastern Maine Medical Center helped guide the students. For this passion project, one of the things we talked about was wanting to have a community forum that brought adults and peers together to openly have a dialogue about all the things that contributed to their mental health. Everything from bullying to stress in schools, social media, suicide awareness and prevention, and grief and bereavement, all the different things that affect our mental health. They wanted to have a dialogue, but also have a way to show kids that there are other ways that they can cope with these things.The summit featured a variety of activities, from art therapy and nature-based therapy to animal-assisted therapy and open panel discussions. We jumped right into adventure-based activities, because to learn about adventure-based activities through a lecture seems counterintuitive. We had them doing things like a pool noodle shuffle, which is when everybody holds a pool noodle and at the same time they have to let go of their pool noodle and grab the noodle of the person next to them without letting it hit the floor, and we let them work through some of their frustrations, explains Shane Mack McPherson, psychiatric technician and activities coordinator, Northern Light Acadia Hospital. Having summits like this is important because there are not many of them around here, especially geared toward high school students, says Sinclair-Steele, So many teens struggle with mental health challenges and this helps provide resources to seek help within our communities.Coventry was moved by the students engagement. I was hoping they would feel less alone and walk away with a new way to manage their mental health, she says, I also hoped theyd be excited to share what theyd learned with their peers and family members. The summit wasnt just about learning new coping mechanisms; it was also about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. It was designed to create a safe, open space for teens to discuss
- Mobile MammogramsDelivering care closer to home For many women in rural Maine, getting regular mammograms can be tough. They face long drives, limited transportation options, and, sometimes in Maine, you just cant get there from here. Thats why Northern Light CA Dean Hospital and Northern Light Mayo Hospital launched a mobile mammography unit, bringing high-quality breast cancer screenings directly to women who might otherwise go without.The mobile unit is one way Northern Light Health is improving access to healthcare. The most important reason for launching this mobile mammography unit is to reach women in rural communities who might otherwise not have access to their screening mammograms, explains Joann Lovell, director of Imaging at Northern Light CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals.The mobile unit has the same state-of-the-art 3D mammography technology used in Northern Light Healths hospitals and clinics. That means patients get the same exceptional care, same high-quality images, and the same experienced technologists, whether theyre at the hospital or in the mobile unit, explains Lovell.For Lorna Young, the first patient screened in the mobile unit, the convenience was great. It was very easy for me. All I had to do was walk out the back door of my office and into the mobile unit. It was just perfect, says Young, who appreciated how simple the process was and how accessible the screening was for her.The mobile mammography unit travels throughout rural communities statewide, saving patients travel time and removing the stress of securing transportation. This service, Lovell notes, is a game-changer for many patients. For women in these communities, the ability to get a mammogram without traveling long distances makes a world of difference.By sharing resources, staff, and expertise, Northern Light CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals can provide seamless care across a wider area. The collaboration has been a huge benefit to both communities. We share resources, share patients, and that ensures we provide the best care possible, says Lovell, Its not just about screenings; its about offering comprehensive care to these patients.The importance of early detection of breast cancer cannot be of overstated. Regular mammograms can identify potential issues before symptoms appear, increasing the chances of successful treatment. As Lovell put it, If we can prevent even one family from losing a loved one to breast cancer, then weve been a success.For women like Young, the mobile mammography unit offers more than just convenienceit offers peace of mind. I would absolutely recommend this to other women, she says, The convenience and all the advantages it brings to our area are invaluable. Its just an incredible resource.Northern Light Acadia HospitalAddressing Maines shortage of psychiatristsMaine has a critical shortage of psychiatrists. The number of licensed practitioners in our state has dropped from 110 in 2020 to just 50 in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To address this urgent need, Northern Light Acadia Hospital launched a Psychiatry Residency Program, designed to grow Maines behavioral healthcare workforce, and improve access to mental health services.Supported by a $1 million grant from The Manton Foundation, the program is one of two psychiatric residencies in Maine and the only one north of Portland. After receiving 494 applications on the first day alone, Acadia Hospital leaders interviewed 95 candidates and matched four residents through the National Resident Matching Program.The smaller hospital setting at Acadia has created a close-knit community where Ive felt welcomed and supported from day one, says Karen Singh, MD, Its been wonderful to return to Maine and experience the states beauty while advancing my career.Kelly Kossen, MD adds, Living here has allowed me to spend my free time exploring farms, hiking, and visiting coastal towns. The staffs kindness has made my transition seamless. Acadias four-year program aims to train 16 residents at full capacity, with the hope that many will continue practicing in Maine. Where doctors train often determines where they stay, says Mark Lukens, president, Northern Light Acadia Hospital, This program is a vital step in addressing Maines mental health challenges.Finding Her VoiceA journey through gender-affirming voice therapyKara Libbys transition journey began in 2018, long before she met Robby Desjardins, MA, the lead speech-language pathologist at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital. She moved to Aroostook County in 2019, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to live more authentically.That fresh start and opportunity still seemed just out of reach for Libby, who struggled with a voice that didn't match how she felt on the inside and looked on the outside. My job has always been on the phone, she shares, And every time I pick up a call, I hear either someone misidentify me or, at best, affirm who I know I am. That constant uncertainty can be draining. I felt invisible, like I was living in two worlds.Libbys voice dysphoria, the discomfort with the mismatch between her voice and her gender identity, was taking its toll. It wasnt just about how others saw me; it was about how I saw myself. Every conversation, even the simplest ones, became a reminder of the gap between who I am and how the world perceived me.Her counselor at the time recommended Desjardins, who specializes in gender-affirming voice therapy. She made the appointment, unsure but hopeful that this could be the help she needed.I met Kira at a time when she was understandably uncertain about the whole process, Desjardins recalls, Its common for patients to feel a bit overwhelmed or self-conscious. The first step is always assessment how does the person perceive their voice, and where do they want it to go?The process began with a baseline recording. Libby was hesitant at first, speaking softly and with visible discomfort. I was nervous, she admits, I wasnt sure how it would
- Northern Light Inland HospitalA bridge to care for communitiesSome Waterville residents are visited by paramedics, as part of a collaborative effort between Northern Light Inland Hospital and the citys fire department. This vital resource is designed to improve patient care and reduce hospital readmissions. Courtney Cook, vice president of Nursing and Patient Care Services, Northern Light Inland Hospital, highlights the importance of this at home program. Waterville is lucky to have the paramedicine program as a community resource, Cook says, emphasizing Inland Hospitals pride in partnering with the program. The program offers a wide range of services to Waterville residents, including home safety checks, medication reviews, vital sign monitoring, blood draws, and wound care. The team works closely with healthcare providers to ensure patients receive the right care, preventing unnecessary hospital visits. The team is a great resource to bridge care gaps for those with medical conditions needing frequent reassessment, Cook explains. Additionally, they provide care for the unhoused population, offering both health checks and referrals to emergency care when necessary. While the Inland Hospital program is currently available only to Waterville residents, Cook is optimistic about its future. The hope is that the pilot will be so successful that funding will become available to expand to other communities, particularly rural areas facing healthcare challenges like limited transportation or accessibility. Inland Hospital works with Northern Light Medical Transport in Ellsworth and Greenville. They are planning future collaboration with Northern Light CA Dean and Maine Coast Hospitals and Hospice of Hancock County. By offering this kind of care outside of the hospital, the program helps ensure people in need receive the timely attention and education they need to maintain their health. Inland Hospital is honored to partner with such a wonderful community resource, meeting people where they are at, Cook adds, "This program is not just a healthcare service its a lifeline for the community." Full CircleBecoming a caregiverLucie Moisan, along with her siblings, are navigating a new chapter in their familys lifebecoming caregivers for their aging parents. Moisan says she never expected to take on a caregiver role, but in September of 2023, life had other plans. Thats when Moisans mother was hospitalized due to kidney failure and required dialysis. It felt surreal to see mom, who had always been our familys rock, now so vulnerable, she reflects. Determined to keep her mother at home, Moisan and her sister, Lisa, stepped in and managed their mothers care. Moisan, a registered nurse, manages her mother's at home dialysis treatments with Lisas help, while coordinating appointments and schedules. Some days, I wake up and think, Can I get through today? she admits. Its overwhelming at times, juggling work as a nurse and caring for them. Seeing dad care for mom, helping her through treatments, was both beautiful and heartbreaking, Moisan shares. Their parents recently celebrated their sixty-seventh wedding anniversary, a milestone that highlighted their enduring love. Even in tough times, you can see the love they have for each other, says Moisan. The situation grew more complicated when their father was diagnosed with new onset congestive heart failure in July 2024. With both parents needing care, the siblings have rallied together. Their brother, Paul, comes by after work to help with household chores and garden maintenance. We created a rotation schedule to make sure someone is always around, Moisan explains, Its crucial for us to be there for them, especially at night. But the strain of caregiving can take its toll and caregivers need their own support systems to make it sustainable. There are days when I feel like I am drowning. Moisan vividly recalls one particularly exhausting day after spending the night at the hospital supporting her mother. I called my boss at Northern Light Home Care & Hospice and told her I needed a break. She said, If you ever need a day off, just let me know. It meant the world to hear that, Moisan recalls, acknowledging the importance of support beyond her family. The family finds moments of joy with one another, amidst the challenges. Watching mom smile while my other sister Jeanine baked apple pies brought warmth into the chaos, Moisan says. The kitchen is a gathering place, filled with laughter and love. Paul often lightens the mood with jokes while cleaning, helping to maintain a sense of levity. Throughout this journey, Moisan has learned valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of community. Being a caregiver has transformed me, she reflects, Its taught me not only how to care for others but also how to take care of myself.Eclipse Four Northern Light Health hospitals were in the path of totality during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, including Northern Light Mayo, AR Gould, CA Dean, and Inland hospitals.Healthier PatientsA healthier planetIn 2024, Northern Light Health made significant strides in reducing the effects our operating rooms have on our environment. We have phased out the use of desflurane, a gas commonly used in anesthesia, in favor of sevoflurane. This change is expected to make a substantial reduction in our carbon footprint while simultaneously lowering costs. Desflurane has been widely used in surgeries for years because it takes effect quickly and wears off fast. Unfortunately, compared to other anesthetic gases, desflurane is one of the most environmentally harmful. Desflurane gas is part of a three-member family of anesthetic gases and, of those three, its particularly bad for the environment, explains Tim Doak, vice president of Sustainability, Northern Light Health, Moving away from desflurane to sevoflurane will have an immediate and lasting positive effect. This shift is also expected to reduce Northern Light Healths carbon emiss
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Community BenefitEmpowering community health: Connecting patients with social careA communitys health is determined by the health of the people living there. Socioeconomic status, availability of safe and affordable housing, reliable transportation, access to healthcare services, and food security can play a significant role in ones health, says Zoe Tenney, FNP, Northern Light Palliative Care. Through trusted partnerships, Northern Light Health connects patients with critical resources to improve their well-being, particularly through their web-based search engine of community resources: northernlighthealth.findhelp.com. The Bridging Neighbors program, a collaboration between Healthy Peninsula and Healthy Island Project supports older adults with social health needs by connecting them with trained volunteers who assist with tasks such as navigating local resources, filling out paperwork, and following up on medical needs. Bridging Neighbors partnered with Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital for their pilot year to take referrals only from Blue Hill Hospital clinical providers. After learning from this partnership, Bridging Neighbors now continues to accept referrals from Blue Hill Hospital practices as well as other community sources. I frequently refer patients to Bridging Neighbors, Tenney explains, Their volunteers can identify creative solutions to challenges I may have missed, helping me better care for my patients. In rural Maine, where resources can be limited, Bridging Neighbors provides invaluable support for individuals facing challenges like transportation, food insecurity, and isolation. Although we cannot solve all presenting concerns, we can provide some of the support they need that they are not receiving elsewhere. In our first year of implementation, we received more than 50 referrals for those aged 60+ who live on the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle/Stonington, speaking volumes for the need for such a program, says Lori Johnson, healthy aging coordinator, Healthy Peninsula. Our hope is to continue training more volunteers so that we can continue with these much needed and appreciated services.Total Community Investment by CategoryCommunity Health Improvement Services $2,054,800Health Professions Education $2,546,828Research $1,750,995Cash and In-Kind Contributions $294,442Community Building Activities $382,218Community Benefit Operations $2,375,347Traditional Charity Care $12,124,185Unpaid Cost of Public Programs: Medicaid $113,174,114 Medicare $185,512,480Total Systemwide $320,215,409Northern Light Health Member Community Benefit Acadia Hospital $14,462,529AR Gould Hospital $18,154,359Blue Hill Hospital $1,488,341CA Dean Hospital $713,688 Eastern Maine Medical Center $201,679,824 Home Care & Hospice $825,834 Inland Hospital $13,260,339 Maine Coast Hospital $12,956,106 Mayo Hospital $2,208,258 Mercy Hospital $51,691,851 Northern Light Health Home Office $664,404 Sebasticook Valley Hospital $2,109,876 To learn more go to: northernlighthealth.org/communitybenefitreportsNorthern Light Health Foundation Jane Hibbard-Merrill: A grateful familys commitment to Northern Light Mayo Hospital and access to Cancer CareJane Hibbard-Merrills story is one of gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to honoring her daughters legacy. A longtime resident of Dover-Foxcroft, Hibbard-Merrill had firsthand experience with compassionate healthcare, through the support her family received at Northern Light Mayo Hospital during her daughter Tracy Hibbard Kasprzaks experience with cancer. Hibbard Kasprzak, a beloved nurse, mother, and community member, was first diagnosed with colon cancer at just 37 years old. Over the next 15 years, she endured countless treatments, surgeries, and trials across the country. She eventually returned to her hometown hospital, where she found solace in familiar faces and the love of her family and community. This experience shaped Hibbard-Merrill's vision of accessible, high-quality cancer care in rural Maine. Upon her passing, Hibbard-Merrill and her family made a generous memorial gift to help relocate and expand the oncology services at Northern Light Mayo Hospital. This contribution was instrumental in the creation of the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center, a state-of-the-art facility providing private treatment spaces, telemedicine capabilities, and consultation rooms to ensure patients can receive care close to home. In September 2017, the center was formally dedicated in Hibbard Kasprazak's memory. During the ceremony, Hibbard-Merrill spoke of her daughters unwavering determination and zest for life. She expressed deep gratitude for the communitys support in bringing her vision to life, ensuring others could receive cancer treatment surrounded by family and a supportive community. Today, Hibbard-Merrill's family continues to honor her daughters legacy. The inaugural Walk for Hope in September 2024 brought more than 200 participants together to raise $31,000 for the center, highlighting the communitys commitment to supporting patients with cancer. Hibbard-Merrill and her family were the events lead donors and biggest cheerleaders. We are deeply grateful to Jane and her family for their unwavering dedication and generous commitment to our patients and community, says Marie Vienneau, president of Northern Light Mayo Hospital. For Hibbard-Merrill, Northern Light Mayo Hospital is more than a place of careits a beacon of hope, ensuring that families like hers can find strength, comfort, and healing close to home. Giving by Organization Acadia Hospital $1,336,282.32 AR Gould Hospital $108,352.16 Blue Hill Hospital $522,008.22 CA Dean Hospital $137,237.86 Eastern Maine Medical Center and Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals $7,332,762.68 Home Care & Hospice $555,902.45 Inland Hospital $126,455.66 Maine Coast Hospital $768,943.02 Mayo Hospital $82,804.62 Mercy Hospital $4,089,568.55 Northern Light Health and Northern Light Health
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1945.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.