The Team

Karen and SimonThe Adventures in Caring team includes one hundred volunteers, ages 16 to 86 who visit patients in hospitals and nursing homes, every week, all year round. Additionally, there are a board of directors, committee members, advisors, and auxiliary volunteers working behind the scenes to move the mission forward. With minimal staff, Adventures in Caring makes an impact far out of proportion to its size.

Under a volunteer’s Raggedy wig and makeup is a highly skilled listener with special training in how to interact with patients to promote healing, recovery, and emotional well-being. While Raggedy volunteers come from all walks of life, many of them are pre-med and pre-health profession students from University of California, Santa Barbara and other local colleges.

In a three-day training session provided by Adventures in Caring, these future doctors, dentists, nurses and health care practitioners learn how to communicate with the seriously ill, injured, and dying. They focus on the patient's interests, allowing the patient be the center of their attention, and speak freely about what is on their mind or in their heart. The volunteers learn how to understand emotions of those who are suffering, and how to show appreciation for abilities rather than disabilities.

Find out more on joining the Adventures in Caring team. Become a Volunteer!

Board of Directors
Serving the Adventures in Caring Foundation in FY 2012-2013

Officers
David Chernof, M.D, President -- UCLA Professor, Doctoring Program
Paula Bruice, Ph.D, Vice President -- UCSB Senior Lecturer, Chemistry
Sherry Morez, RN, Secretary -- Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Director of Pediatrics (ret)

Directors
Linda Alderman, MEd
Karen Fox  
Sarah Hall
Glen Holden, Jr.,CFA 
Steve Hoyt, RPh
Sharon Landecker
Jill Morris
Laurie Small 


Santa Barbara Women's Club, President
Adventures in Caring, Founding Director
INTPUB (international publishing), Director (ret)
Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services, Financial Advisor
San Ysidro Pharmacy, Owner & Pharmacist
Congregation B'nai B'rith, Volunteer
Choice Works Management Training, Founder & Director
Vista del Monte Retirement Community, Executive Director

Medical Advisory Board
Anthony Allina, MD
David Chernof, MD
David Cumes, MD
Stephen Hosea, MD
Babji Mesipam, MD
Richard Steckel, MD

Planned Giving Advisory Council
Steve Barnes
Robert Dibley  
Mark Fingerlin
Sean Mason 
Aaron Spechler




Barnes & Barnes Attorneys at Law
Northwestern Mutual
Montecito Bank & Trust
Sean C. Mason Law Offices
Berti Spechler Sarmiento McKay & Co., LLP

Planned Giving Consultant
Patricia Snyder

Staff:
Simon Fox, Executive Director
Karen Fox, Founding Director
Shelley Rickard, Director of Volunteers
Katherine Gunther, Director of Finance
Paige Moore, Office Manager
Bent Myggen, Multimedia Specialist