News and Press Releases

Anna Bissonnette, RN, MS
A Problem Solver: Shaker & Mover

MARN Newsletter, June 2008
By Barbara Blakeney

"You can't solve a problem until you find the root cause and deal with it."

This is the theme that is the hallmark of Anna Bissonnette's career. Elders needing health care, but unable to travel to receive that care? No problem! Anna found ways to bring that care to them via the Boston University School of Medicine’s Home Medical Service. Elders who lose their apartments to urban renewal, thus becoming homeless?

No sweat! Anna Bissonette is truly amazing! She literally creates resources where none exist. She does not know how to take “No” for an answer and creates a community organization called Hearth (formerly the Committee to End Elder Homelessness), now a 2 million dollar a year, 50 employee program, currently providing permanent homes for over 135 elders in 6 buildings in and around Boston.

One of her co-workers writes,

As founder and prime architect of [Hearth, then the Committee to End Elder Homelessness], Anna cajoled and nurtured us to address this societal tragedy through a dynamic housing program designed to meet the special needs of older homeless individuals. The main principle was the primacy of a consistent and enduring relationship between each homeless elder and a dedicated nurse or outreach worker willing to meet folks literally on the streets, in coffee shops and wherever a homeless person felt comfortable and safe.

Another colleague shared that “Anna Bissonette has helped many robins to their nests; in fact she has helped build the nest that lodges them.”

Anna has always been an outspoken advocate at the city and state level, whose clear thinking and hard work brings a compassionate and pragmatic approach to tackle any problem. Anna is a powerful advocate for disenfranchised elders.

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