Two local physicians along with a pair of leading community philanthropists will be honored at the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 48th Benefactors’ Ball, which takes place this year on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Camarillo. The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are available online at https://www.benefactorsball.org.
The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is excited to host this year’s event, which is the first Benefactors’ Ball since 2019; the event was on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honored this year as Physician of the Year with the Cephas Bard Awards is Dr. Thomas Brugman. He is a leading pulmonologist and has been an integral member of the CMH Critical Care Team since starting his practice in 1984. Dr. Brugman is a strong advocate for community-based healthcare in Ventura County.
The honoree for Retired Physician of the Year is Dr. Mel Cheatham, a neurosurgeon, professor and author. Dr. Cheatham has served the community since 1966 and has shared his healing talents worldwide by conducting lifesaving medical missions in many war-torn and poverty-stricken countries.
The Community Leaders of the Year honorees are Jim and Tish Harris, longtime philanthropists in Ventura County. Their numerous gifts over the years to Community Memorial Health System have supported the health system’s mission of providing exemplary care.
The Benefactors’ Ball begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails followed by dinner at 6 p.m. with dancing, a live auction and awards presentations. The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that helps to improve the quality of healthcare locally by supporting Community Memorial Hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, industry-leading programs and comprehensive, accessible health services. The Benefactors’ Ball has a rich history of supporting the hospital’s greatest needs. Contact the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation at 805-948-2881 or email [email protected].
