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A History of Philanthropy
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Top row - left to right: Cephas L. Bard, Thomas R. Bard, E.P. Foster.
Bottom row - left to right: George Power, Ida Goodyear, Fritz Huntsinger, Sr., Chilant Sprague |
The storied history of Community Memorial Health System began more than a century ago with roots that reach deep into Ventura County. Through the benevolence of Cephas L. Bard, a gifted country doctor, and his brother, Thomas R. Bard, a United States Senator, the county’s first 12 bed hospital opened in 1901.
As the healthcare needs of the community expanded through the years, other benefactors have generously stepped forward to ensure that top-level healthcare continues to be available in Ventura County.
When a new hospital was needed during the Great Depression, E.P. Foster donated the land where the hospital now stands and, along with George Power, made generous financial contributions. During the Baby Boom following WWII, the benevolence of Ida Goodyear facilitated construction of a new maternity ward. The generous spirit and philanthropic efforts of Fritz Huntsinger, Sr. were instrumental in many construction projects and equipment purchases in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1960, like-minded physicians in Ojai opened a new hospital to help meet the healthcare needs of their community. Today, Ojai Valley Community Hospital continues to thrive because of the courage, commitment and benevolence of the community it serves. In 2005, Ojai Valley Community Hospital merged with Community Memorial Hospital forming Community Memorial Health System. In 2009, through the initial generosity of local philanthropist Chilant Sprague, a new Emergency Department opened to serve the growing needs of the Ojai Valley.
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