Bellarmine University’s Health and Aging Services Leadership program received initial five-year accreditation from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Board (NAB) earlier this summer. NAB’s Board of Governors, which held its annual meeting virtually in June, noted that Bellarmine’s program, which began in 2017, has achieved a high level of quality in a short time through the commitment and dedication of university leadership and faculty. The Bellarmine program is the 16th accredited program in the nation.

“Bellarmine University joins a prestigious group of high-quality degree programs in recognizing the value of, and need for, well-educated and trained leaders in furthering public protection and enhanced quality of life for clients of organizations providing senior living and health services,” NAB Chair Mary Ellen Wilkinson said during the virtual presentation.

Bellarmine’s Health and Aging Services Leadership Department prepares students to pursue a wide range of careers as leaders in the delivery of healthcare, senior living, or aging services—jobs that are expected to increase exponentially over the next 10-15 years with the unprecedented growth in the number of older adults.

“Department Chair Kevin Hansen and previous Chair David Wolf have developed a student-centric program rooted in the liberal arts tradition to prepare graduates for rewarding careers in a variety of settings that serve the needs of older adults,” said Dr. Mark Wiegand, dean of the College of Health Professions. “The accreditation by NAB recognizes the academic expertise of the faculty and the excellence in education that Bellarmine provides its students.”
Drs. Hansen and Wolf accepted the award on behalf of Bellarmine. “We are very excited to join the outstanding group of NAB-accredited programs in educating talented, critically-thinking and compassionate future leaders for essential health and aging services leadership positions,” Hansen said.
Established in 1995, NAB’s academic accreditation program goals are to improve and strengthen the academic preparation of Health Services Executives.