Beverley Laubert, ’84, 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
“I believe that each of us has a responsibility to make an impact, whether through our vocation, volunteer endeavors or other contributions.”
Beverley Laubert, ’84, has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others, both in her community and across the nation. She has been an Ohio ombudsman for 33 years and the state long-term care ombudsman at the Ohio Department of Aging for 26 years, giving her the most experience among sitting state long-term care ombudsmen. As an advocate for older adults and those with disabilities, Beverley influences public policy to improve their access to quality care.
“It takes a very special person to have made a difference in so many lives, which is exactly what she has done,” said Beverley’s daughter, Elizabeth, ’20. “Though her influence is immeasurable, I believe it is safe to say that she has helped thousands, not just across the state, but also across the country. She would be the first to tell you that she could not have done that without her Kent State education.”
Beverley graduated from Kent State in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in gerontology. After graduation, she went on to receive a Master of Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University in 1993.
“My Kent State University degree in gerontology led to a fulfilling career working with and advocating for older adults within Ohio and throughout the nation,” Beverley said. “The science courses helped me understand healthcare needs and nutrition, and the social science and recreation classes taught me how to connect with older adults based on their interests.”
Her dedication to improving the lives of others has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, she was selected from more than 800 applicants to serve on a 25-member nationwide Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in nursing homes, which worked with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to analyze the state of nursing homes during the pandemic. While serving on the commission, Beverley was responsible for recommending best practices in infection control and care delivery, as well as identifying opportunities to leverage new sources of data to improve infection control policies. She was also one of 10 members invited to meet with former Vice President Pence at the White House to discuss the commission’s recommendations.
Throughout her career, Beverley has earned many honorable distinctions. She was selected to provide input during a national teleconference on federal nursing home guidance during the pandemic and to serve as a mentor to new ombudsmen in other states. Beverley worked with a small group of advocates across the country on recommendations to the federal government that resulted in loosened visitation restrictions for nursing home residents, a critical move to decrease the loneliness and isolation created by the pandemic.
Beverley’s impact is not limited to her work with those in long-term care facilities. For nearly three decades, she has been an avid Kent State sports fan and philanthropic supporter. In fact, her commitment to her alma mater is so deep that she and her husband Mike established a scholarship in 2017 for undergraduate and graduate students at the university. The Delaware County Student Assistance Scholarship supports students from the Columbus area as they pursue degrees at Kent State University. She also serves as a board member for the Kent State Central Ohio Alumni Chapter, where she helps plan events to bring alumni together in the greater Columbus community.