Fulton County Ohio Media

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This past Friday afternoon, an Induction ceremony and luncheon was held in honor of the Swanton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2022.  This year’s honorees were Benjamin Gombash (’07) and Linda Novak Chambers (’84).  Later in the evening, during the halftime of the boys’ varsity basketball game, Ben and Linda were each presented with a plaque to commemorate their induction.  Below are the bios from the ceremony’s program.

Benjamin Gombash –

Ben is a 2007 graduate of Swanton High School.  He was teen volunteer at the Toledo Zoo and in 2007 Ben was chosen as the Teen Volunteer of the Year.  After graduation he attended The Ohio State University graduating in 2012 Magna cum Laude with Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science and Bachelor in Science with honors in Anthropology.  In 2016 Ben received his Master’s in Primate Behavior from Central Washington University.  He is currently at the University of Notre Dame working on his PhD in Biological Sciences. 

Ben has done field course work through University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2014 on Primate Conservation Genetics and in 2018 at East Carolina University Balinese Macaque Ethno primatology Field Project in Anthropology.  In 2010 Ben was a volunteer at the American Primate Educational Sanctuary APES in Blacklick, Ohio.  He was the project assistant for the Orangutan Health Project in Bukit Lawang SU Indonesia from 2012-2013.  The Orangutan Health Project (OHP), the first of its kind for orangutans, investigates the special behaviors and ecological conditions necessary to maintain health in wild orangutans. Ben managed finances, supervised volunteers, prepared botanical and fecal samples, collected data and photographed plants in the jungle for research purposes. In 2013 Ben worked with the United States Forest Service as a Biological Science Aide working in a small group collecting data for emerald ash borer research, helped identifying plants and collected DNA samples for Quercus spp.  

Ben worked in the Alouatta Sanctuary in David Panama from 2015-2016 as Primate Rehab Project Intern Coordinator and Site Manager.  Some of his responsibilities included Identification of howler monkeys and hands-on rehabilitation experience with mantled howlers, Geoffrey’s tamarin, white headed capuchin, black headed spider monkeys and kinkajou. Ben attended Central Washington University where he worked on DNA purification and lecturing to graduate and undergraduate classes.  He received his Master’s in Primate Behavior in 2016.  In 2018 Ben traveled to Upud, Bali Indonesia for his field study in Balinese Macaque Ethno primatology.  He worked on research and collected data on the rehab of primates. 

Ben has received the Fredrick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony award in Humanities and Social Science from the University of Rochester while in high school, the Athur J. Schmill Presidential Fellow scholarship 2016-2021, Zahm Research Travel Award 2018 and GLOBES Interdisciplinary Mini Grant Competition in 2018.  Ben can also speak Spanish, Swahili, Kiswahili, Indonesian, Bahasa Indonesia, and American Sign Language.

Ben gave much of the credit for his achievements to the education he received in the Swanton Local School District and referred to it as a “springboard to launch off to something greater.”   He also mentioned the considerable increase in educational opportunities Swanton Schools offer today compared to when he graduated 15 years ago.  “I like the spirit of this award and the fact the school is starting to recognize folks and promote them to let everybody know you can do whatever you want coming from here.  The sky’s the limit,” added Ben.

Linda (Novak) Chambers –

Linda graduated from Swanton in 1984.  During her time at Swanton, she was active in the Student Council and was a cheerleader.  After graduation, Linda attended Owens Community College to receive her Associates Degree in Physical Therapy, graduating with honors.   She continued her education at the University of Findlay graduating Suma cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1997.  In 2014 Linda graduated from the University of Findlay Suma cum Laude with an MBA Degree.  

Linda worked at Flower Hospital from 1986-1991 as a Physical Therapist aide, in 1992-2001 she was a therapist for ProMedica.   In 2001 Linda was the Rehabilitation Services Coordinator for Toledo and Flower Hospital.  Linda became the Manager for Rehabilitation Services for ProMedica Health Systems in 2005, and then was the Manager for Rehabilitation Services for ProMedica Home Health Care and Health Systems.  

She was named Director of Operations Therapy Services in 2012.  She distinguished herself by showing her strong leadership skills at ProMedica.   She created the Home Care Division at ProMedica which combines the areas of Nursing, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.   That same year Linda became the Administrative Director of the ProMedica Home Health care and Health Systems.  She achieved a 41 % growth in the average daily census through brand re-imaging, systems integration, network capture and physical engagement.   Linda was responsible for 27 counties in NW Ohio and SE Michigan.

In 2017 she was named the Associate Vice President of ProMedica Health Systems.   She is responsible for rehab services for acute care, in patient rehab facilities and outpatient clinics. She is responsible for the oversight of rehab operations that include 400 rehab professionals across 31 locations, resulting in approximately $190 million gross revenues.   

Linda has successfully developed and implemented social determinate health screen and connect programs across primary care and out-patient oncology with plans to expand to acute care hospitals.

Linda is a member of the advisory Board of Habitat for Humanity and Ahave (cancer patient support group).

“To be inducted into the Swanton High School Hall of Fame, among many other successful alumni, I’m honored, I’m humbled and I’m joyful,” said Linda in expressing her “heart-felt” gratitude.  “There are so many deserving alumni out there in this community, in this state and in this nation and across this world.  And like Ben, I agree, this is a springboard and a foundation to achieve great things and achieve success.”

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony.