By the Bay Health celebrated its 50th anniversary in grand style on March 1 at its Black & Gold Gala at Peacock Gap in San Rafael. The black-tie event, a dazzling evening of elegance and purpose, brought together supporters, healthcare leaders and community members to honor the organization’s five decades of compassionate care.
All Dressed Up in Black and Gold
Guests arrived dressed in sophisticated black and gold attire, stepping into a ballroom draped in dramatic black and gold accents. White seasonal floral arrangements adorned the tables, creating a striking contrast against the opulent decor.
Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to the event’s sponsors before addressing the pressing healthcare challenges in Marin, including the ongoing healthcare workforce crisis and the fact that Marin currently ranks 13th in the state for the largest population of adults 65 years and older.
Creating a Much-Needed Healthcare Workforce in Marin
Wingard introduced By the Bay Health’s newest initiative: Pathways to Care Careers — an innovative public and academic partnership to raise essential funds in order to create a thriving workforce of clinicians and skilled caregivers to support the North Bay’s rapidly aging and diverse community.
“Tonight is more than a celebration — it’s a call to action,” said Wingard. “It’s a powerful reminder of the work ahead to ensure that this patient-first organization doesn’t just endure, but flourishes for the next 50 years and beyond. Together, with this community’s commitment and a shared vision, we will continue to shape a legacy of compassion, excellence and impact that stands the test of time.”
A Special Founder’s Recognition
A highlight of the evening was the tribute to Mary Taverna, founding CEO of By the Bay Health. Janet Winegarner, the longest-serving hospice nurse in the U.S., and former CEO Kitty Whitaker honored Taverna’s pioneering leadership. Taverna accepted the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Award, reflecting on the organization’s legacy and future.
The night also featured heartfelt stories from students and graduates of the Pathways initiative, including high schoolers, college students and current hospice nurses who have benefited from By the Bay Health’s career programs.
Numerous healthcare and education leaders showed up to offer their support for By the Bay Health, including: Mary Jane Burke, former Marin County Superintendent of Schools; Armika Berkley, Chief Administrative Officer at Kaiser Permanente; Dr. Michelle Mourad, Vice Chair of Medicine at UCSF Health; David Kline, CEO of MarinHealth; Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Vivalon, and many more.
Dancing the Night Away
Guests dined on exquisite cuisine from McCalls Catering and Events, followed by a lively auction and a successful fund-a-need campaign. Later, they took to the dance floor, grooving to music by Entourage.
The evening was not just a celebration of the past 50 years, but a commitment to the future of compassionate healthcare in the Bay Area. Presenting sponsor was Kaiser Permanente, with distinguished benefactors Bon Air Center, EPIC Insurance Brokers, MarinHealth Medical Center, Stanford Medicine and Health Care, and Kenneth and Vera Meislin.
All photos taken by Redell Frazier.
A freelance writer in Marin who writes about family, kids and parenting, Glass is the mother to one son, one dog and a hamster named Miss Geri. When she’s not writing, trekking up steep hills in Marin or driving her kid to sports practice, she and her family spend time in their tiny cabin in Lake Tahoe. She avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to Bay Area seniors and disabled adults. Glass is obsessed with baking the perfect loaf of banana bread, something she makes so often she no longer needs to look at a recipe card.
