Bernardo recognized for his commitment to and impact on aging services
Presbyterian Senior Living, a not-for-profit provider of retirement and senior care services for more than 85 years, announced its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer James Bernardo (MSW ’76) was recently honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.
Bernardo was acknowledged for the Distinguished Alumni award in Social Work Practice for his more than 35 years of commitment to aging services. Bernardo is responsible for the operational and expansion-related activities of 30 senior-living communities, which include 12 continuing care retirement communities, two personal care communities and 15 rental-assistance housing complexes. He is most recently responsible for the introduction in Pennsylvania of the “small house” assisted living concept, a deinstitutionalized senior living approach providing a more homelike and supportive environment operated around the guiding principles of autonomy and dignity.
Bernardo also served on the Board of Directors of Leading Age, as the associations’ treasurer, and past chair of its membership and education committees, in addition to serving as past Chair of LeadingAge PA. Bernardo also serves CARF-CCAC as a member of its international standard review process and surveyor.
“We’re proud to have one of the University of Pittsburg’s most distinguished alumni serve as such an essential part of the success and growth at Presbyterian Senior Living,” said Steve Proctor, chief executive officer of Presbyterian Senior Living. “His leadership within our organization as well as in the social work, gerontology and healthcare industries as a whole make him more than deserving for this honorable recognition.”
Presbyterian Senior Living provides housing and healthcare services to more than 6,000 seniors in 30 locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio.
Bernardo was honored at the School of Social Work Alumni Recognition Reception on October 5. For more information about the five 2016 award winners, please visit: http://bit.ly/2dY38vB.
