Bob and Debbie Wacker to be Honored by French Hospital Medical Center Foundation with Humanitarian Award on February 24

The 2024 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award will be presented at annual Celebration of Caring event next month

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – January 23, 2024 – The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation will honor local residents Bob and Debbie Wacker with the 2024 Louis Tedone, MD, Humanitarian Award. Established in 2006, the award recognizes the remarkable contributions of those who dedicate themselves to improving the health and well-being of the San Luis Obispo County community. The Wackers will receive the award at the Foundation’s annual Celebration of Caring event on February 24, 2024.

Bob and Debbie Wacker have a close connection to French Hospital. A respected business leader and founder of Wacker Wealth Partners, Bob’s understanding of the impact that health care can have on local businesses, the economy and the community led him to serve as the Co-Chair for the Beyond Health campaign, supporting FHMC’s expansion project.

Debbie, a Certified Public Accountant, is one of French Hospital’s longest serving volunteers, devoting more than 30 years to assisting hospital patients, staff and visitors. She currently serves as the President of the French Hospital Volunteer Guild. The Wackers’ own generous support for the Beyond Health campaign and French Hospital was recognized with the naming of the Wacker Family Auditorium in the Copeland Health Education Pavilion on the hospital campus.

"We are humbled and delighted to accept the 2024 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award. If we all aspire to be like Lou Tedone, the world would be a better place," said Bob and Debbie Wacker. 

The Wackers have also provided leadership, talent, advocacy and philanthropic support for numerous other local organizations including Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, Hospice of SLO, Friends of 40 Prado, Cuesta College Foundation, Cal Poly Foundation, SLO REP and many other local organizations. Bob’s community service was recognized in 2008 when the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year. The Wackers’ spirit of volunteerism, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of our community exemplifies altruism.

Past recipients of the Humanitarian Award include Dr. Louis Tedone, Dr. Ke-Ping Tsao, Rob Rossi, Stephen Hearst, Dr. Jac Pedersen, Phyllis Madonna, Frank and Betsey Kelton, Jim Sargen, John and Sandy Dunn, Jim Copeland, Bert and Candace Forbes, Dr. Gilbert H. Stork, Noreen Martin, Paul and Bridget Ready, Rick Stollmeyer, and Bill and Cheryl Swanson.

“We are so grateful to the Wackers for all they do for our community and are excited to celebrate them at our upcoming Celebration of Caring event,” said Tessa Espinoza, Chief Philanthropy Officer, French Hospital Medical Center Foundation. 

The Celebration of Caring will be held on February 24 at ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo. The evening will feature live music by LA-based band, Non-Stop, a cocktail reception with drinks by Rod + Hammer’s SLO Stills, gourmet dinner by Ox + Anchor of Hotel SLO, the presentation of the Humanitarian Award, a live auction, and dancing. 

Limited seating is still available. Register online at www.SupportFrenchHospital.org or call the French Hospital Foundation office at 805.542.6496. Proceeds from this event benefit patient care and programs at French Hospital, your not-for-profit community hospital.

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About French Hospital Medical Center

French Hospital Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 98-bed acute care hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. French’s Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine is the area’s most advanced emergency services center. The modern facility is home to the Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, is the county’s premier cardiac center, providing the latest cardiac and imaging technology, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. 

French Hospital Medical Center together with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, make up Dignity Health Central Coast, a network of hospitals, physicians, and outpatient services including physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers, and a full service home health agency. To learn more, visit dignityhealth.org/frenchhospital.