Van Dyk Named Recipient of Jan Thayer Pioneer Award

New Jersey operator credited with founding national assisted living organization

Workforce
Released:September 25, 2017
Rachel Reeves
(202) 898-2803
rreeves@ncal.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Robert (Bob) Van Dyk, the president and chief executive officer of Van Dyk Health Care, was today named the 2017 recipient of the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). With nearly 35 years of experience in the profession, Van Dyk is credited with bringing assisted living issues to the forefront and uniting long term care providers.  

“Bob had the vision to give assisted living and residential care a voice at the national level,” said Chris Mason, NCAL Board Chair. “NCAL not only exists because of him, but is better because of him. He continuously strives to push the long term and post-acute profession forward by championing person-centered care, quality improvement, and workforce empowerment.” 

Van Dyk Health Care, spanning three generations and nearly 65 years of family ownership, has thrived under Van Dyk’s 23-year tenure.  The company offers a full continuum of care services for New Jersey families with an assisted living community, two nursing and rehabilitation facilities, a home care company, and a soon-to-open memory day care center.   

Van Dyk’s commitment to assisted living extends beyond his signature Park Place community.  He expanded his impact on the profession by helping New Jersey public officials create the first regulations for assisted living providers. He also founded Assisted Living Training Associates, which has helped train and certify over 1,600 assisted living administrators.  

At the national level, Van Dyk served for a record tenure of over 20 years. He helped transform the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) Residential Health Care Committee into the National Center for Assisted Living. Van Dyk was elected as NCAL’s second Chairman, succeeding Jan Thayer, the Pioneer Award’s namesake. He later served as AHCA’s Chairman.  

Van Dyk earned his Bachelor’s in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his Master’s in Health Care Administration from George Washington University. He is a licensed nursing home administrator, residential care operator, and assisted living administrator.  

The Jan Thayer Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have moved the senior care profession forward, positively affecting the lives of those served and those who serve. Recipients must demonstrate dedication, leadership, and considerable contributions to the profession. Van Dyk will be presented the Pioneer Award during a formal ceremony at the 68th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo in Las Vegas this October.