Sept. 28, 2005 - Wexner Heritage Village Honored by State Association

COLUMBUS, Ohio – AOPHA, the advocate of not-for-profit services for older Ohioans, recognized Wexner Heritage Village’s president/CEO, Richard S. Lamden, and its community transportation program, VanTran, at the AOPHA annual conference held recently in downtown Columbus. Lamden received the Leadership of Honor Award for his outstanding career as an advocate and pioneer in the field of aging services. One of Lamden’s innovative and successful programs, VanTran, was also recognized, receiving the Excellence in Service for Home- and Community-based Services Award.

VanTran began in 2001 offering a transportation alternative to older adults living in the east-side community, offering rides to medical centers and shopping destinations on a donation-basis. It has since added a wheelchair-accessible van through a grant received from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations.

VanTran is just one of the successful programs that has been added to the Wexner Heritage Village family of services since Lamden’s tenure began with the organization in 1999. In addition to stabilizing business concerns such as high turnover and poor surveys from the State of Ohio, he built a talented executive staff, streamlined the board of directors and created a strong endowment. Innovative services have been added under his guidance including Jewish Community Hospice, Heritage at Home and a Transitional Care Unit, in addition to VanTran. New residences are opening this year including Creekside at the Village, Zusman House and Village Shalom Apartments.

In nominating Lamden for the award, Ted Fisher, past chair of the Wexner Heritage Village Board of Directors stated, “He has applied a rare combination of moral fiber, intelligence and leadership skill that transformed our organization.”

Lamden lives in Bexley with his wife, Frances.