Jackson residents William and Jennie (Bush) Lambert have made their share of contributions in many areas over the years. They have not always lived in Jackson Township because their work has taken them around the state and country.
Actually, they have been gone from the area for 38 years but they are back now and involved in many things. Currently, Jennie is an advocate for the AARP, specializing in healthcare reform, and a member of the Jackson Township chapter of AARP.
Lifelong dream
It has been Jennie’s lifelong dream to be a great photographer and she has made progress in that area receiving awards and write ups over the years.
While Jennie is busy pursuing her aspirations, William keeps rather busy. He is involved with a number of national, state and local organizations dealing with healthcare reform (HCR). He is an issue specialist in HCR with the Ohio AARP, legislative committee chair with the Jackson Township AARP chapter and works as an independent consultant in public and health policy analysis and strategies.
Lifelong partners
The couple certainly has been busy since their years when they went to school together at Washington High School. Jennie was a member of the Massillon Tiger Swing Band. William grew up on farms and in small towns in the counties of Medina, Holmes and Stark. Jennie grew up in Stark County but her family roots go back in time to the early settlers in southeast and mid-Ohio.
William stated that over the years they have been unusually close as they have attended the same schools, the same classes, have worked in the same environments including sometimes working for and with each other, they have partnered in business ventures, avocations and raising a family. The Lamberts have been married 45 years and have three children and seven grandchildren.
The Lamberts have been medical technologists and have worked in area hospitals. Jennie has also worked in hospitals in the Washington DC area and as a medical research chemist for the VA. Her career has included information technology, medical and education advocacy and she has served as the State President of the Texas Learning Disabilities Association twice.
Life experiences
William has more than 20 years of experience as a university graduate and undergraduate program manager, as a professor in health care management, public administration, political science/government, national security, business administration and in 1972 he was a candidate for a congressional seat from Ohio.
Jennie has had many years of service in many areas including professional and volunteer. She is published in the areas of learning disabilities and health services, has been a small business entrepreneur in publishing, consulting, and she and William owned an historic bed and breakfast in La Coste, Texas.
Life accomplishments
William has received a number of awards for accomplishments in health, public and community services, including several Defense Department awards, eight Freedoms Foundation Medals and Awards, distinguished national and state awards from professional health services organizations, and an Ohio Governor’s proclamation for contributions to healthcare administration education.
The couple has earned degrees at local universities as well as others from around the country. William has a BA in political science from the American University, Washington, DC. Jennie received her BS in biochemistry from Malone. Both Lamberts earned their masters in public administration degrees from Kent State in 1970 and William has a doctor of public administration (DPA) from Nova Southeastern University, and is a graduate of the National Defense University, Washington, DC. He also received training in public health at the School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, and the US Public Health Service Institute, Research Triangle, NC.
William entered the Navy in 1960, and has served as a medical corpsman with Marine Corps units and at various medical activities. He returned to Ohio in 1963, and continued as a member of the naval reserve, where he received a commission in the Navy Medical Service Corps. After serving in a variety of reserve positions in the Akron and Canton areas he returned to active duty during the Vietnam War and retired as a Navy Commander in 1991
Retirement life?
Of course the couple would like to retire someday but as William said, “Just as soon as I figure out what that means.”
