Rodna Bordner Receives John K. Williams Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award

In early October, Rodna Bordner, an aquatics instructor at Wood County Hospital Rehabilitation Services, traveled to Florida to attend the International Swimming Hall of Fame Conference, where she was awarded the 2024 John K. Williams Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award.

This award recognizes individuals or organizations making significant contributions to adaptive aquatics—an area to which Rodna has dedicated her life.

Rodna has been a valued member of the Wood County Hospital team since 2006, but her remarkable journey began long before. A lifelong swimmer, she competed in both synchronized and competitive swimming from an early age, continuing her passion for synchronized swimming at the collegiate level.

As a teenager, Rodna became a Water Safety Instructor and lifeguard, teaching swimming at every opportunity, both professionally and as a volunteer. She discovered an early passion for working with children, especially those with physical or cognitive disabilities, which led her to pursue a degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University in 1974. She began her career as a classroom teacher at the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Rodna’s dedication to serving children with disabilities evolved further when she earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University, later becoming an occupational therapist at the Wood County Board of DD. In 1985, her hard work and dedication earned her the honor of Employee of the Year.

In 1994, her school built a swimming pool—a turning point that allowed her to blend her passion for aquatics with her expertise in special education. She thrived in this role, working with children with multiple disabilities in the water. Just five years later, she was recognized with the Excellence in Education Award by the Special Education Regional Resources Center.

After retiring from school-based practice in 2005, Rodna continued her work as a pediatric occupational therapist while also providing aquatic therapy to individuals of all ages at Wood County Hospital. Throughout her career, she has worn many hats—competitive swimmer, instructor, writer, and volunteer, but at the heart of it all, she has always been dedicated to caring for others.

Congratulations, Rodna, on your outstanding career and this well-deserved honor. We are grateful to have you as part of the Wood County Hospital team!