ASHA recognizes Patricia Will among industry pioneers for innovation and leadership

Belmont Village Senior Living Founder and CEO, Patricia Will, was inducted into the American Senior Housing Association’s (ASHA) Senior Living Hall of Fame on July 27, 2021, in recognition of her groundbreaking innovation and influence in the senior housing sector. Encouraging independence, dignity and quality service for residents, Patricia was recognized for her transformative work as visionary who has distinguished herself through uncommon foresight and unwavering commitment to senior community living.

“It’s been nearly 25 years since the launch of Belmont Village. As a brand-new entrant in an emerging, but complex industry, I recognized the virtues of advocating for the senior living industry – shaping the narrative and telling our story. So, on July 7, 1998, Belmont Village joined ASHA. Happily, I’ve never looked back,” said Patricia. “I can’t describe how honored I feel to have been nominated by journalists who cover the changing landscape of the industry. It’s especially exciting to see the next generation, including my sons, Aron and Adam, emerge as future leaders in our industry. Likewise, I’m thrilled to be part of an incredible team at Belmont Village who has been able to change the paradigm of senior living.”

With a background in real estate development, an MBA from Harvard Business School and the drive to rethink assisted living, Will established Belmont Village in Houston, TX in 1997. The company has since flourished into 31 operating locations in the United States and Mexico, with several more in development. Through the combination of leading gerontology practices, outstanding hospitality and state-of-the-art design, Will developed Belmont Village’s best-in-class communities, hired and trained care professionals and established award-winning programming that allows aging individuals to thrive in assisted living. Key to the credo and success of Belmont Village is that it develops, owns and operates every community that bears its name.

Honoring Patricia at the induction ceremony, Aron and Adam told her life story, deeming her a ‘superhero’ with a rich personality and a whole lot of ‘chutzpah’ who has made a profound impact within the senior living industry.

“As Patricia’s youngest of two children and a Belmont Village employee who has watched the company grow since childhood, it is hard to articulate the enormous and profound sentiment of pride I feel today,” says Adam Will, Director of Communications at Belmont Village. “Patricia has had an illustrious career. She, herself, modeled the culture of innovation integral to Belmont Village – one of continuous investment in research and collaboration with academic partnerships. Her work has helped propel the industry toward person-centered care by acknowledging the needs of residents, providing hospitality rooted in health and wellness, and allowing them to live their lives with purpose. It has been an honor to watch my mother’s vision enrich the lives of so many seniors and their loved ones.”

As a long-time advocate of research-based programming, Will developed cutting-edge residential programs alongside leading institutions in the field of aging and senior Living, like Vanderbilt University, University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California and the University of California San Diego. One of Belmont Village’s most prominent and widely celebrated programs is Circle of Friends and Whole-Brain-Fitness, which addresses the needs of those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Program leaders strive to help seniors maintain cognition while encouraging independence in assisted living.

Throughout her career, Will has engaged with thought leaders with expertise in every aspect of seniors housing and care. She currently serves on the boards of the Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California and the Center for Longevity at UCLA. Will is chairman emeritus of ASHA, was the chairman of ASHA from 2008-2009, was named a Globe Street Senior Housing Influencer in 2020, was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2018, and was awarded the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Honor in 2021.

“Our sector, senior housing, is privileged to have the finest workforce on the planet. If I may, I’d like to dedicate the honor you’ve bestowed upon me to our men and women on the front line. Through the many sinking spells we’ve had over the last year, I never imagined the sweetness of this moment,” added Will.

About Belmont Village Senior Living

Founded in Houston in 1997, Belmont Village is an integrated developer, owner, and operator of high-quality seniors housing with more than 4000 employees. Its communities are renowned for distinctive design, high standards of life safety, reputation for quality of care and leading edge, award-winning programs. Belmont Village is certified as a Great Place to Work® and has been ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s 50 Best Workplaces for Aging Services since 2018. Learn more about Belmont Village at www.belmontvillage.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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