Celebrating Colette Ostapko: Founding Mother of The Canton Community Health Fund
“We work closely with all community services … and every generation.”
- Colette Ostapko, CVNA Nursing Supervisor 1989
Canton Community Health Fund, Inc’s (CCHF) legacy began in 1918, with the lifesaving, collaborative and innovative work of the Canton Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA). From the deadly H1N1 influenza pandemic that year, to serving the Canton community for the next eight decades, CVNA set a standard informed by listening to, learning from, then evolving forward based on the community’s health and safety needs that still proudly resonates today in CCHF’s Mission.
For over two decades, the driving force behind the CVNA was Colette Ostapko, whose influence is still felt today in the inspiration she continues to bring to the Canton Community Health Fund. So, who was CCHF’s Founding Mother Colette Ostapko?
After raising her family, Colette put her Nursing degree to work at the CVNA, eventually achieving the position of Director. Under her leadership, the CVNA introduced a wide spectrum of leading-edge and impactful services that enhanced the health and safety of Canton’s residents – from well-child care, dental and vision screenings, nutritional counseling/education, flu and vaccine clinics, a schoolwide health program, to hospice care.
‘Go in. See what’s happening. Figure it out. Make it better.’
This was CVNA Director Colette Ostapko’s mantra, that she instilled and inspired in her fellow nurses, recalls CCHF Board alum and retired CVNA Nurse Shelly Herd Millane. “Colette was a true entrepreneur, a serial innovator. She was always looking to build creative and collaborative opportunities that would keep CVNA vital, well-informed and relevant to the needs of the Canton community.”
“Leading by example, Colette inspired us to be excellent listeners,” said Herd Millane. “You always felt heard and that translated to us becoming better listeners with our patients. She was always flexible and open to creative solutions. Colette respected open discussion and new ideas, even if they were counter to her own. We were encouraged to pursue opportunities to learn more and to develop professionally.”
‘Problem Solver. Always Open to Change. Nonjudgemental. Positive. Generous. Fair.’
Diane Sodaro, retired Canton School Nurse Supervisor, CVNA employee and CCHF Board member remembers Colette as the true definition of an in-community, public health nurse. “Colette was an excellent strategic partner when we set about modernizing the healthcare programming at Canton High School. She provided knowledgeable guidance and invaluable support on resources, finance and budgeting.”
“She was a great leader, proud and committed to the community we served,” recalled Sodaro. “Colette’s family was so important to her, and that love and commitment was reflected in her work, and how she and her nurses cared for Canton’s community of families. People appreciated the compassion she showed and the example she set for her nurses and partners.”
Of all the changes she led the CVNA through, perhaps the most significant was the strategic decision to merge with McLean Community and Home Care Services. In Colette’s own words: “It was a privilege to serve the Canton community for the past 21 years. We had a dedicated and caring staff, most of whom continue to work in Canton as McLean employees. Survival in the home health care industry was requiring significant increases in organizational size to obtain the financial and medical resources necessary to be a responsive community organization. McLean had been a good service partner for Canton VNA in the past and is a caring provider to merger with for the betterment of our community.”
In an unusual move, the merger agreement stipulated that 100% of net proceeds from the CVNA Memorial Fund and Scholarships, created by generous donations from a grateful community, would remain in the community and serve as the foundation for Canton Community Health Fund, Inc, with Colette eventually serving as Chair.
Today, a century later, the CVNA’s legacy of contributing to the health, safety and well-being of the Canton community continues as Canton Community Health Fund Inc’s touchtone and Mission. CCHF honors the CVNA and Colette’s lasting impact with our Community Partner grants; a collaboration with a wide network of dedicated health and public safety practice leaders – serving the community from its most basic lifesaving services to those which empower individuals to reach their potential. And, CCHF’s Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarships and Pay It Forward Scholarships are investments in Canton residents pursuing future careers in healthcare or public safety.
Herd Millane and Sodaro agreed: “We always knew she’d figure out a way to make any situation better; finding ways around financial, operational or structural barriers, and seeing that the community got the care it needed.”
Colette Ostapko’s CVNA & CCHF… BY, FOR, ABOUT CANTON.
We invite you to support CCHF’s Mission through your donations to benefit our community. Please visit www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org to donate through CCHF’s secure PayPal Account. You can also mail your donation to CCHF P. O. Box 75, Collinsville, CT 06022. We thank you!
