Pioneer Award 2009 - Adelbert H. Weber
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The OHCA Pioneer Award is designed to recognize Ohioans influential in the development and advancement of long-term care programs, education, professionalism or ideals. The Awards honor the commitment of these individuals to excellence in long-term care services.
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Adelbert H. Weber
After serving in the United States Army, Adelbert H. Weber (Del) returned to Lorain County and opened Weber Nursing Home on July 1, 1957 with his parents Herschel and Gretchen Weber located in Wellington. They provided long-term care services in the setting that is now Weber Health Care Center, an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR).
In 1980, Del opened Wellington Estates, Hartford/Salem Manor, the first group home for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in Lorain County and began providing residential services to individuals with disabilities. As the opportunities for community alternatives for individuals with disabilities expanded, Del continued to provide services in the two facilities under the NF and ICF/MR programs.
In 1992 in coordination with the State and county departments of MR/DD, Wellington Estates, Boardwalk and Park Place were opened to serve Lorain County individuals who had lived within state operated developmental centers. Del Weber was awarded the proposal to build and operate these facilities as the developmental centers were closed based on his history of and ability to provide quality care to disabled individuals.
In 1996, Weber Health Care Center and Wellington Estates restructured to provide residential services exclusively to individuals with disabilities. And in 2007 Del developed the Wellington Habilitation Center which is a privately operated day program center for individuals with disabilities.
Del has been an OHCA member for over 30 years and served on the OHCA Board in the late 70s and early 80s. During that time he held the positions of Treasurer and Vice President, and participated in a variety of committees.
He has continued his OHCA active involvement personally, and has promoted the participation of numerous staff members on committees, work groups and at the board level; he and his staff were central to the formation of OHCA’s ICF/MR Conference (now DD Residential Services Conference). Staff member regularly attend OHCA trainings and Weber Health Care Center is typically represented by a large contingency of staff annually at OHCA Convention.
Members may download OHCA Pioneer Award nomination forms
by clicking the following link:
OHCA Pioneer Award Nomination Form
See Other Pioneer Award Winners