VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana to give 2024 Joyce Alexa Advocate of the Year Award to Frank MrVan

VALPARAISO – VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana is pleased to announce its 2024 Joyce Alexa Advocate of the Year
Award will be presented to Congressman Frank Mrvan on March 11, 2024, at the VNA Hospice of NWI’s Annual dinner.
The Advocate of the Year Award honors the service and legacy of former VNA of NWI administrator and board member
Joyce Alexa. The award inscription reads: Joyce Alexa served the VNA as a nurse, administrator, and board member for
over 40 years. She advocated for fair legislative policy, lobbied for progressive patient care provisions, and built
relationships throughout the community to support VNA Hospice’s mission and the promotion of senior health services.
The Joyce Alexa Advocate of the year Award is given to an individual who exemplifies Joyce’s spirit of fair legislation,
empowering the underserved, promoting senior independence and dignity, and always advocating for VNA Hospice of
Northwest Indiana.
“Thank you to VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana for this recognition and for your dedicated work to support families,
veterans and all of those in need of your quality services,” Congressman Mrvan said upon learning of the award. “I
appreciate (VNA Hospice’s) consistent and generous contributions to the strength of our community and for your
commitment to improving the quality of life for countless individuals and families throughout the Region.” VNA Hospice
President/CEO Bob Franko said Congressman Mrvan was an easy choice for this year’s recipient given his interest and
support of the VNA’s hospice, palliative care and Meals on Wheels programs. “Congressman Mrvan visited us twice this
past year and even helped deliver one of our Meals on Wheels routes,” Franko said. “He received me warmly at his
Washington D.C. office, twice, where he was well prepared to discuss our funding challenges and has done all he can do
to support us at the local and federal level.”
Joyce Alexa and her husband Bill now reside in Florida. Alexa echoed Franko’s comments stating that she is likewise very
pleased to have Congressman Mrvan receive the award this year.
For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.vnanwi.org/dinner or contact Monica
Hamline at (219) 531-8049 or mhamline@vnanwi.org.
The VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana is a nonprofit organization working to preserve dignity in aging by helping seniors
remain in their homes and in charge of their healthcare decisions for as long as possible. The VNA provides hospice care,
palliative care, Meals on Wheels, Medical Guardian help button, grief support including the Phoenix Center for grieving
children, and a We Honor Veterans Program. It has offices in Valparaiso and Crown Point and celebrates its 54 th
anniversary in 2024.