THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OF DOYLESTOWN

The Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA) was formed on April 26, 1895, by fourteen women concerned about the health risks posed by the dusty roads of Doylestown. They took bold steps to begin improving life in the community they loved, eliminating dusty streets and establishing the first visiting nurse service in Doylestown.

In 1923, seeing the need for a hospital and surgery, the VIA established the first Doylestown Hospital at the corner of Pine and Oakland with eight infirmary beds. Their vision was rapidly justified by increased need of the growing population, and in 1939 the second—larger—hospital opened at the corner of Belmont and Spruce, with a capacity of 21 beds. Within a few decades, this, too, had grown too small, and the VIA began planning and fundraising for a comprehensive care facility with space to expand nearly every medical function into a department of its own. In 1975, the current hospital on West State Street opened and received its first patients. The VIA continues to oversee governance of Doylestown Health to this day, now a multi-facility health system spanning Bucks County communities and serving thousands of individuals with expert, compassionate care.

Today, the VIA is more than 300 women strong, and continues to dedicate its considerable energies to the improvement of life in Doylestown and the Central Bucks region. In addition to health services, the VIA offers one-time grants to community efforts, scholarships to high-achieving high school seniors and women pursuing professional careers, and a variety of support through its welfare fund for emergent needs of community members.