October 29, 2018 – The 23rd annual El Camino Heritage Golf Tournament was a spooktacular affair. The Halloween-themed benefit was held at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club on October 29, 2018 and raised more than $208,000 for the Norma Melchor Heart & Vascular Institute (NMHVI). One hundred twenty eight golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the course and more than 200 guests attended the reception, costume contest, celebration dinner, and live auction. Raffle sales were brisk, bidding on the live auction packages was spirited, and attendees raised their paddles generously for the fund-in-need appeal. They were inspired by grateful patients Susan English and Fred McPike of Paso Robles, who were on hand to judge the costume contest.
“Our vision was to create a vehicle to foster collaboration,” Norma Melchor Heart & Vascular Institute Medical Director Fred St. Goar, MD, told the golfers, as he acknowledged the transformational philanthropic support of the Melchor Family. “Physicians, nurse leaders, administrative directors and the hospital’s executive team provide the pinnacle of cardiovascular care.”
“We are thankful for the Heart & Vascular Institute, and thankful to you for supporting it,” added Chad Rammohan, MD, and Daniel Kaiser, MD. They noted that charitable giving helps to underwrite the development of new programs and the participation in national registries that enable the team to rigorously monitor the quality of care.
Tournament festivities closed with the awarding of trophies and an entertaining video that captured the Halloween hijinks of the day. Proceeds will be used to bolster outpatient cardiac services, including the launch of a specialty clinic devoted to heart care for women, when the Norma Melchor Heart & Vascular Institute moves into the new medical pavilion next year, its first official home.