Barbara A. Gingerich

Barbara Stover Gingerich, age 80, passed away on August 26, 2023, at her home with her son, Wade at her side and her grand dog, Pearl, keeping watch.  She was the widow of Robert Gingerich to whom she was married 54 years. Born in Greencastle, PA on August 21 1943 to Ellis and Jane Lingg Stover, in addition to her son, Wade, she is survived by her daughter Jade Gingerich and her spouse Robin Tomlin of Ellicott City MD, granddaughter Isabella Kim Thao Gingerich and step granddaughter, Nicole Tomlin, Baltimore MD as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jane and DD Crunkleton, their sons/wives, children and grandchildren as well as many other beloved family members.

Barbara was a graduate of Greencastle Antrim High School, York Hospital School of Nursing, New England College and West Virginia University. She had a diverse nursing and professional career that spanned fields such as direct care nursing, administration, education, consulting, publishing and public speaking.  She kept her RN license up to date and active until her recent 80th birthday.

Ms. Stover Gingerich was an internationally and nationally recognized consultant, author, editor and presenter. Career positions included serving on the nursing faculty, as well as executive officer for Community Health/Home Health services, at the Ohio Valley Health Systems, Martins Ferry Ohio and Wheeling, WV.  Upon her return to Pennsylvania, she held administrative positions with the Visiting Nurse Association of York County and St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster, PA.

In 1991, Ms. Gingerich established ADVANTAGE HealthCare Management Resources, in York, Pa. Focused on Home and Hospice care, she served as president/chief executive officer for over 30 years.  During this time, she established and then served as the Editor and Editor Emeritus of Home Health Care Management and Practice Journal for over twenty years. During this time period she also spent time as Adjunct Faculty in York College of Pennsylvania’s, Department of Nursing, focusing on her expertise, Community Health. Her time as a consultant included the role of a National Accreditation Surveyor for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), as well as the Joint Commission Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

Expanding her role with ACHC, she was an active member of their corporate board for over fifteen years, resigning her position earlier in 2023.  Based on her performance, commitment, and service, she was the recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). 

As a lifetime Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she was well versed in management, corporate compliance and operations in diverse healthcare settings. She also obtained certification as a Home/Hospice Executive through the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, for which she served as a workshop leader and a contributor to their teaching certification for those seeking accreditation.

Ms. Gingerich published extensively, with 16 published books and over 200 published manuscripts and educational resources in print. Her book, Home Health Redesign: A Proactive Approach to Managed Care was named the Best Health Science Book in 1997. She has presented regionally, nationally and internationally in her field including for the Saudi Arabian National Home Health Care Foundation (NHHCF), at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and at the Social and Medical Home Health Care Conference (SMHHCC).

Ms. Gingerich was active as a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary of Lancaster. 

Barb and her husband Bob were also professional story tellers. As the Mountain Moon Storytellers they shared their wit, wisdom and humor with audiences and children around the world, at Hershey Park, School Assemblies, Community gatherings, Liar’s Contests and other special events, including a performance at the Children’s Library of Tallin, Estonia. They particularly loved to share original and traditional stories of the Pennsylvania Dutch, German and Native American Indian peoples. She and her family were world travelers and explorers, who also enjoyed dancing, reading, family togetherness and flower gardening.

Barbara loved flowers; however, she loved her family and granddaughter much, much, more.  Due to this love, it was her specific request that in lieu of flowers memorial donations could be made to one of two organizations.

Big Big World Project (BBWP):  Website: bigbigworld.org 

The BBWP supports a Catholic orphanage and older students from the Ham Tan orphanage (where Izzy began her life in Viet Nam) allowing these children to access healthcare and a postsecondary education. Jade continues to demonstrate her mother’s sense of concern and responsibility, currently serving on the BBWP Board for over five years.

Additionally, those that knew Barb were familiar with her love of sports, especially football, and she had fond memories of her time as a member of the high school band.  For the last several years, when able, she loved going to the Mt Hebron High School games to see her granddaughter performing as a member of the color guard, enjoy the band, and to cheer for the football team.

For those interested, checks can be made payable to:

Mt. Hebron Marching Unit

Mail To:  Mt. Hebron High School  

ATTN: Marching Unit Patrons

 9440 Old Frederick Road 

Ellicott City, Maryland 21042 

A PayPal link is also available: @MtHMU.   

If you donate, please note either on your check or in the comments section of PayPal that the donation is in Barbara’s memory so we can make certain to express our appreciation.

A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 PM Monday, September 4, 2023, at Saint Jacob’s Union Cemetery, York New Salem, with The Rev. Bonnie Whittier officiating.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the family residence.  Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York, is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara A. Gingerich, please visit our floral store.