South Shore Health’s Visiting Nurse Association was recently honored with an Innovation Award from the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts for its Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation Program.

Since its launch in 2024, the outpatient rehabilitation team and its two dozen therapists have conducted more than 3,000 patient visits with an average of 50 referrals a month. According to South Shore Health, “patients receive outpatient-level care from VNA therapists at home, with treatments tailored to their environment and unique circumstances.”

The value of home-based programs is becoming increasingly clear, particularly in regions like the South Shore where capacity challenges and discharge bottlenecks remain acute. The programs are also recognized for their ability to address health disparities and deliver more personalized care. The award was presented at the Home Care Alliance’s 40th annual “Our Time to Shine” event, which celebrates home care programs and clinicians throughout the commonwealth.