Chumash Tribe Donates $160,000 to Local Programs

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced two major charitable contributions: $25,000 to the Central Coast Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign and $135,000 raised through its annual Charity Golf Tournament for Angels Foster Care, CALM, and the Mental Wellness Center. This marks the tribe’s 22nd year supporting Toys for Tots, totaling $550,000 in donations and gifts for more than 5,300 children. Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn called the long-standing partnership “a source of pride.” Mental Wellness Center CEO Annmarie Cameron said the support ensures vital mental health services remain free and accessible.

411: www.chumash.gov

SB Cottage Hospital Named in Top 20 Teaching Hospitals in California

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has earned Top Teaching Hospital recognition for outstanding achievement in patient safety and quality from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit national watchdog organization. The hospital is one of 20 in California and one of 73 recipients of this award in the U.S., out of 2,400 hospitals reviewed. Cottage Health’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs provide comprehensive training for resident physicians in surgery, radiology, internal medicine and pediatrics at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. For more than a century, Cottage has offered residency training that combines a regional tertiary care and Level 1 Trauma Center with the focus of a community teaching hospital. The program is one of the oldest physician training programs in the Western United States, and continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of medicine.

411: www.cottagehealth.org/residency-programs

Rise & Shine to Host “Shine On” Breakfast

Rise & Shine will hold its Shine on Santa Barbara Breakfast on January 15, 2026, from 8:15-10:15 am at the Cabrillo Pavilion, spotlighting the organization’s work empowering young people in Ghana through education and leadership development. The event features a panel discussion, “The Impact of Investing in Education in Africa,” led by Jeff Staley, Chris Toomey, and Our Lady of Grace Senior High School alumna Frederica Aboagye. With Africa projected to represent one-quarter of the world’s population by 2050, panelists will explore why developing global citizens matters now. Sponsorship and ticket details are available through Rise & Shine.

Cottage Hospital Introduces Non-Invasive Ultrasound Treatment for Liver Tumors

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is now offering histotripsy, a breakthrough non-invasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to precisely destroy cancerous and benign liver tumors. SBCH is the only provider on the Central Coast offering this FDA-approved technology, which breaks down targeted tumor tissue without heat, radiation, needles, or incisions. The body then naturally clears the fragments. Interventional radiologist Dr. Elliot DeYoung said histotripsy expands options for patients with tumors difficult to reach surgically. The outpatient procedure provides a vital alternative for individuals who are not candidates for invasive treatments.