French Hospital Medical Center Foundation Celebration of Caring Raises $283,000 for Patient Programs and Services

2024 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award presented to Bob and Debbie Wacker

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – March 18, 2024 – The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is pleased to announce that the 16th annual Celebration of Caring event raised more than $283,000 to support patient programs and services at FHMC. The event took place February 24, 2024 at ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo and was attended by more than 280 guests. 

At the event, Debbie Wacker and her late husband Bob Wacker  were honored with the 2024 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award. Each year, this award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals dedicated to building healthier communities. Debbie Wacker accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, Bob Wacker, who passed away in February 2024. 

"I was humbled and delighted to accept the 2024 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award on behalf of my husband and I. If we all aspire to be like Dr. Lou Tedone, the world would be a better place," said Debbie Wacker.

“The Wackers have been tremendous supporters of French Hospital for many years.  Support from the Wackers is indicative of the community support as a whole.  Quite simply, French Hospital would not be the high quality healthcare facility it is today without the strong support of community members like the Wackers,” said Patrick Caster, French Hospital, President & CEO. 

Bob and Debbie Wacker have had a close connection to French Hospital. Bob was a respected business leader and founder of Wacker Wealth Partners, his 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.

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. The Wackers’ spirit of volunteerism, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of our community has exemplified altruism.

At the Celebration of Caring, a special Call to Action raised more than $135,000 to establish the Bob and Debbie Wacker Technology and Innovation Fund. The fund will enable FHMC to stay at the forefront of new healthcare technology, continuing to evolve by bringing the latest technology and innovative best practices to local patient care.

“We were honored to present Bob and Debbie Wacker with this well deserved Humanitarian Award,” said Tessa Espinoza, Chief Philanthropy Officer for French Hospital Foundation. Thanks to their support, we were also excited to launch this new fund to enhance technology and innovation at French Hospital. The outpouring of community support at the Celebration of Caring was truly remarkable.” 

Since 2006, the Celebration of Caring has raised more than $3,780,000 to support FHMC patient programs and services. The event’s success is due to the incredible generosity of its sponsors, contributors, and guests.

To learn more about the Foundation or donate to the Bob and Debbie Wacker Technology and Innovation Fund, visit www.supportfrenchhospital.org.

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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.