CLEVELAND (AP) — the road to recovery post-stroke for the owner of the Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, is expected to be a slow journey.
On Wednesday night, Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans, issued a statement updating on the condition of Gilbert, 57, who’s currently in the hospital following a stroke on May 26 after he fell sick. “Recovering will be a slow process for Dan, but we all have faith that he will tackle this obstacle with the same determination that he always shows,” said Farner.
Farner added that Gilbert is keeping his sense of humor and focus on continuous improvement, as reported by his family. Sharing an anecdote, he mentioned that Gilbert asked for his preferred drink at the hospital and when he was told it was unavailable, he demanded a review of the hospital’s beverages policy.
Farner conveyed the gratitude of Gilbert’s family for all the support they have been receiving. Gilbert suffered the stroke after falling ill and was rushed to a hospital in the Detroit area where he immediately underwent a procedure involving a catheter.
Since 2005, Gilbert has owned the Cavaliers. He is also the founder of Quicken Loans, the largest online mortgage lender in the country, and has established a multi-billion dollar business empire with multiple company assets in Ohio and Michigan.
Gilbert’s stewardship has seen the Cavaliers make it to five NBA Finals and clinch the 2016 championship, which was the first Cleveland team’s major sports title since the Browns won the NFL championship in 1964.
Recently, Gilbert welcomed the new Cavs coach, John Beilein, who was persuaded to leave Michigan for his first professional engagement. Despite Gilbert’s absence, the Cavs are proceeding with their operations and are gearing up for the draft where they hold the No. 5 overall pick.
Physician Praised by Dan Gilbert for Life-saving Actions Sentenced to Jail Time
Dr. Steven Adamczyk, the man hailed by Dan Gilbert for potentially saving his life during a severe stroke incident in 2019, has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for committing health care fraud, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. He is also obligated to pay restitution of $1.2 million.
Authorities of submitting over $3.4 million in false charges have accused Adamczyk, 47, from Bloomfield Hills. The charges also allege that he exploited the disadvantaged population of Detroit, insisting that patients addicted to opioids undergo medically unnecessary and painful facet joint injections to receive the drugs.
Adamczyk is one of 16 defendants, including 12 doctors, from the Michigan and Ohio regions who are now incarcerated for their roles in a $250 million health care fraud scheme. Adamczyk’s prison term begins on April 4.
In a sentencing memorandum filed in October, federal prosecutors lamented that Adamczyk could have pleaded guilty earlier.
According to the memorandum, “Although the defendant eventually accepted responsibility after hiring his present counsel (his third team of defense attorneys) and cooperated, his cooperation was less effective than it would have been had the defendant accepted responsibility earlier.”
Dan Gilbert had written a character reference letter to U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood for Adamczyk, who he’d met when Adamczyk was his son’s basketball coach in 2016.
In his letter, Gilbert recounts an incident on May 25, 2019, during a rooftop event at his downtown Detroit residence where he began experiencing double vision. He initially dismissed it, attributing it to the lights used on the roof. However, when he shared his symptoms with Adamczyk, the doctor insisted on immediate hospitalization. Initially resistant, Gilbert finally relented and, accompanied by Adamczyk, went to the hospital where he was treated for a stroke. Gilbert credits Adamczyk’s persistence for his survival.
Gilbert also praised Adamczyk’s “daily dedication, care, compassion, and professionalism”, which he states played a significant role in his recovery process and life quality improvement.
Introduction to Dan Gilbert
The American entrepreneur Dan Gilbert is best known as the founder of Stimulate Credits and Shake Adventures. His business interests also extend to sports, owning teams across multiple leagues including the NBA G League’s Canton Charge, the Arena Football League’s Cleveland Fighters, and the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Beasts. Further, he serves as the chairperson of JACK Entertainment.
Dan Gilbert: Early Life and Education
Born on January 17, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan, Gilbert was raised in a Jewish family. Details about his early life and family background remain scarce. Gilbert’s academic journey began at Southfield-Lathrup High School before moving on to Michigan State College for his undergraduate degree. Post that, he pursued a law degree from Wayne State College Law school.
Dan Gilbert: Career Beginnings and Progression
In the year 1985, Gilbert, alongside two friends and his younger brother, co-founded Rock Financial. The company quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the country’s largest independent mortgage lenders. Later in 2000, software giant Intuit Inc. acquired Rock Financial, rebranding it as Quicken Loans. Despite the acquisition, Gilbert stayed on as CEO and by 2002, he led a consortium of investors to buy back the company. Gilbert holds the position of chairman at Quicken Loans to this day. His association with NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers began in March 2005 when he became the majority shareholder. Gilbert has been instrumental in overhauling the team, bringing changes right from the coaching staff to the players. In a similar vein, he relocated the G League team, New Mexico Thunderbirds, to Canton, Ohio in 2011, rebranding them as Canton Charge, an affiliated team to the Cavaliers. The following year, Gilbert added the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League to his portfolio.
