MEET OUR HEROES OF HOSPICE!

Gary Simpson

Legacy Award

Gary Simpson is the owner and president of the Home Improvement Center, where he has helped provide critical support to many beloved local charities, including Hospice of Santa Barbara. Gary is a long-time supporter and champion of Hospice of Santa Barbara as is his partner, Jill Nida. Gary and his mother, Eleanor Simpson, both provided for Hospice of Santa Barbara in their estate plans and are members of Hospice of Santa Barbara's Legacy Society. Gary and Jill are also valued members of Hospice of Santa Barbara's Shining Light Society.

Van Do-Reynoso, MPH, PhD

Medical Award

Van Do-Reynoso, MPH, PhD, is the Public Health Director for Santa Barbara County. Helping to coordinate our community’s response, Van has led the county through the ongoing pandemic and is a leading spokesperson in the Public Health Department. Her 12-to-15-hour daily shifts consist of coordinating response efforts, mitigating community needs, briefing elected officials, monitoring information from the state, and meeting with her response team.

Mi Vida, Mi Voz

Partnership Award

In response to the pandemic, Mi Vida, Mi Voz (MVMV) pivoted quickly to meet the need for timely, trusted information in Spanish -- collating community resources in five basic categories - Health, Basic Needs (food, financial support, housing, legal), Mental Health, Children & Families, and Seniors – and sharing them in both Spanish and English to a network of trusted partners. Since then, MVMV has been able to establish ongoing partnerships with over 180 organizations, a network of over 550 community champions, and a reach of over 10,000 Latino families countywide.