Dr. Ricardo Zambito

In terms of being a light of the Ohio Valley, few people exemplify the term like Wheeling dentist Dr. Ricardo Zambito.

His personality illuminates any room he enters, and those who know him say his devotion to the youth of the valley shines bright.

For that, Zambito will be the recipient of the Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth Award from the Wheeling YMCA, and will be presented with that award at the annual Light of the Valley luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be held at noon Aug. 26 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

In choosing Zambito for this year’s honor, Wheeling YMCA Executive Director Adam Shinsky said he checked off every box that makes one worthy of the honor.

“We look for a number of things, like ties to the YMCA,” Shinsky said. “And he’s been a longtime supporter of the YMCA. His grandchildren are very active in the YMCA. But after that, we look at what the person does overall for the youth of the Ohio Valley.”

It is there where Zambito truly shines, Shinsky said. He and his dental practice on Mount Dechantal Road is there for children and families at any time of day.

“He never turns a child away,” Shinsky said. “I know personally, and other people know personally that, if you need something after hours, he’ll leave what he’s doing, no matter what he’s doing and he’ll get to the office. He’s there for many of the families and children of the valley. He’s made a life out of that.”

Zambito graduated from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1980, and has been practicing since then. He has been a member of America’s Top Dentists and is the past president of the Midwest Implant Institute Fellows. He has been part of the staff at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, a consulting dentist for both the Bishop Hodges Continuous Care Center and the Good Shepherd Nursing Home and is the official dentist of the Wheeling Nailers.

“He directs the energy,” Shinsky said. “People feed off that energy and the work that he does.”

The Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth Award has been bestowed upon many notable Ohio Valley residents over the years who have served the region. Past recipients have included G. Randolph Worls, the late Bishop Bernard Schmitt, Robert Nutting, Bob Contraguerro Sr., Bob Robinson, Gary West, the late Jim Bordas and his wife, Linda, Jim Crutchfield, the late Joe Viglietta, Dr. Gregory Merrick, Dr. Daniel Joseph, Lisa Allen, Bishop Darrell Cummings, Tom Bechtel and Gene Ammirante.

This Light of the Valley luncheon will be the first following the major renovations that have happened at the Wheeling YMCA’s Elm Grove location, a $7 million project that included a new, larger second-floor fitness center, an indoor walking/running track, expanded childcare facilities and an updated gymnasium.

A guest speaker for the luncheon will be announced later. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting Shinsky at the Wheeling YMCA at 304-242-8086.