Evergreen’s Dr. Bernard Wagner Receives High Honor
August 15, 2003, For Immediate Release
For More Information, Contact Mary Ann Van Osdell,
Director Of Communications, 318-752-4190

Bernard Wagner, Ph.D., president of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, headquartered in Bossier City, has been named one of 34 Significant Contributors of the 20th Century in the field of mental retardation/developmental disabilities.

The award was bestowed at the American Association on Mental Retardation’s regional meeting in New Orleans last week. He, along with the late celebrity/author/fund-raiser Dale Evans Rogers, were chosen by a committee of representatives from each of the six states in the region.

Evergreen is a not-for-profit service agency/mission of the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church, serving nearly 800 people with disabilities in five states. AAMR is an interdisciplinary association of professionals, parents, consumers and other groups interested in mental retardation.

In 1991 a group petitioned the AAMR board of directors to form an ad hoc committee on historic preservation specifically charged with ensuring that materials, memorabilia and important items to the field be protected. By 1992 the committee grew into a consortium that represented membership from AAMR, ANCOR, AAUAP, The Arc/US, the Joseph F. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, the NASDDDS and the President’s Commission on Mental Retardation. In 1998 the committee incorporated into a 501(c)3 organization, the National Historic Preservation Trust on Mental Retardation. The archives are stored at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Wagner, a past president of AAMR and member for 29 years, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver and his masters and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois. His 40-year career in the field of mental retardation began in the movement to deinstitutionalize and evolved to his being a leader in establishing community-based supports for individuals with disabilities.

Wagner has been instrumental in the growth of Evergreen, expanding its service area, tripling the number of individuals served and supported and establishing a reputation for excellence. Dr. Robert Schalock, master of ceremonies, said Evergreen is a model of community-based support.

Wagner says leadership responsibilities have transferred from professionals to direct support professionals or hands-on staff, who perform such roles as resource procurer, planner and community services coordinator.

Schalock said Wagner is known for his leadership and management skills. In an article in the booklet given out on awards night, Wagner says the first 20 presidents of AAMR were physicians who ran state institutions, whereas the last 20 included only one medical doctor who was not connected with any state institution. The majority of recent presidents are either university affiliated or community service providers.

Wagner was also a presenter at the meeting, one topic being “One Organization’s Multi-dimensional Approach to Quality Enhancement” and the other the death penalty and people with mental retardation.

David Hood, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, was also a speaker.

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